Bible Commentary

Psalms 35:20

Psalms 35:20

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public Domain

For they speak not peace. Once more the language of complaint. David's enemies, though they have driven him from the court, and made him a fugitive and a wanderer, were not yet satisfied. They did not speak him peace.

They continued to scheme against him. But they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land. David, if let alone, was willing enough to have remained "quiet in the land." He was a fugitive and an outlaw; but, could he have obtained a safe refuge—the cave of Adullam, or any other—would gladly have remained peacefully within it.

But his enemies would not allow him to remain quiet. They stirred up the jealousy and hatred of Saul by false tales, and caused him to be "hunted upon the mountains" (1 Samuel 26:20).

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Psalms 35 — OverviewPsalms 35 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleDavid, in this psalm, appeals to the righteous Judge of heaven and earth against his enemies that hated and persecuted him. It is supposed that Saul and his party are the persons he means, for with them he had…Psalms 35 — OverviewPsalms 35 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgePsalms 35:1, David prays for his own safety, and his enemies confusion; Psalms 35:11, He complains of their wrongful dealing; Psalms 35:22, Thereby he incites God against them.Psalms 35 — OverviewPsalms 35 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BiblePSALM 35[A Psalm] of David. This psalm seems to have been written by David, when he was persecuted by Saul; and when many false charges were brought against him by his courtiers; and when he was the scorn and derision…Psalms 35:1-28Psalms 35:1-28 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION A PSALM ascribed to David by the title, and with many characteristics of his early style—abrupt, impassioned, full of lively and graphic images, and full of transitions The picture which the writer draws of…Psalms 35:1-28Psalms 35:1-28 · The Pulpit CommentaryA hard case-a very hard one-laid before God. This is one of those psalms in which the writers often meet with much scolding and with scant sympathy. It has been said that this psalm is not worthy of David. We are not…Psalms 35:1-28Psalms 35:1-28 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe flesh and the Spirit. This psalm has been variously interpreted. Some say David speaks here representatively, not for himself, but for the community of Israel Others say that he speaks prophetically, and with…