Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 35

Plead my cause, O Lord - The word “plead” means, properly, to argue in support of a claim, or against the claim of another; to urge reasons for or against; to attempt to persuade one by argument or supplication; as, to plead for the life of a criminal, that is, to urge reasons why he should be acquitted or pardoned; and then, to supplicate with earnestness in any way.

The original word used here - רוב rûb - means to contend, strive, quarrel; and then, to contend before a judge, to manage or plead a cause. The idea here is that the psalmist desires that God would undertake his cause against those who had risen up against him, as if it were managed before a tribunal, or before a judge, and God should be the advocate. The same word is used, in another form, in the other member of the sentence - with them that strive - יריבי yârı̂ybāy - against me. The idea is that they were “pleading” against him, or were urging arguments, as it were, before a tribunal or a judge, why he should be condemned. They were his bitter opponents, engaged in bringing all manner of false accusations against him, and seeking his condemnation.

The psalmist felt that he could not manage his own cause against them; and he, therefore, pleads with God that He would interpose, and stand up for him.

Fight against them that fight against me - The same idea substantially occurs here as in the former member of the verse. It is a prayer that God would undertake his cause; that He would exert His power against those who were opposed to him.

Take hold of shield and buckler - That is, arm yourself as if for the contest. It is a prayer, in a new form, that God would interpose, and that he would go forth as a warrior against the enemies of the psalmist. On the word “shield,” see the notes at (Psalms 5:12). Compare the notes at (Ephesians 6:16). On the word “buckler,” see the notes at (Psalms 18:2). These terms are derived from the armor of a warrior, and the prayer here is that God would appear in that character for his defense.

And stand up for my help - As a warrior stands up, or stands firm, to arrest the attack of an enemy.

Draw out also the spear — The word here rendered draw out means properly to pour out, to empty; and it is applied to the act of emptying sacks (Genesis 42:35), to emptying bottles (Jeremiah 48:12), to drawing a sword from a sheath (Exodus 15:9; Leviticus 26:33; Ezekiel 5:12). It is applied to a spear either as drawing it out of the place where it was kept, or as stretching it out for the purposes of attack. The former is probably the meaning, and the idea is that David prayed God to arm himself—as a warrior does—to defend him.

The spear was a common weapon in ancient warfare. It was sometimes so short that it could be brandished as a sword in the hand or hurled at an enemy (1 Samuel 18:11; 1 Samuel 19:10; 1 Samuel 20:33), but it was usually made as long as it could be to be handled conveniently. The spear was a weapon of attack. The parts of armor referred to in (Psalms 35:2) were designed for defense. The idea of the psalmist is that of a warrior prepared alike for attack or defense.

And stop the way against them that persecute me — The words the way are not in the original. The word rendered stop—סגר sâgar—means properly to shut, to close, as a door or gate (Job 3:10; 1 Samuel 1:5; Genesis 19:6, 19:10). The idea here, according to the usage of the word, is, Shut or close up the way against those that persecute me. So Gesenius renders it. Grotius, Michaelis, DeWette, and others, however, regard the word as a noun, signifying the same as the Greek—σάγαρις sagaris—a two-edged sword, such as was used by the Scythians, Persians, and Amazons. Herod. vii. 64. See Rosenmuller in loc. It is not so rendered, however, in any of the ancient versions.

The Septuagint renders it: ‘And shut up against those that persecute me;’ the Vulgate, ‘Pre-occupy against those that persecute me;’ the Aramaic has: ‘Shut up against those that persecute me.’ The correct idea probably is that which is given in the common version. The psalmist prays that God would go forth to meet his enemies, that He would arrest and check them in their march, that He would hedge up their way, and that He would thus prevent them from attacking him.

Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation — Say to me, I will save you. That is, give me some assurance that You will interpose and that You will guard me from my enemies. Man only wants this assurance to be calm in respect to any danger.

When God says to us that He will be our salvation, that He will protect us, that He will deliver us from sin, from danger, from hell, the mind may and will be perfectly calm. To a believer He gives this assurance; to all He is willing to give it. The whole plan of salvation is arranged with a view to furnish such an assurance and to give a pledge to the soul that God will save. Death loses its terrors then; the redeemed man moves on calmly—for in all the future—in all worlds—he has nothing now to fear.

Let them be confounded - That is, let them, through Your gracious interposition on my behalf, be so entirely overcome and subdued that they will be ashamed that they ever made the effort to destroy me; let them see so manifestly that God is on my side that they will be covered with confusion for having opposed one who was so entirely the object of the divine protection and care. See Psalms 6:10, note; Psalms 25:2–3, notes. Compare the notes at Job 6:20.

That seek after my soul - My life. That seek to destroy me.

Let them be turned back - In their attempts to pursue me. Do interpose and turn them back.

And brought to confusion - Put to shame; or made ashamed - as are those who are disappointed and thwarted in their schemes.

Let them be as chaff before the wind—As chaff is driven away in winnowing grain. See the notes at (Psalms 1:4).

And let the angel of the Lord chase them—Drive them away, or scatter them. Angels are often represented in the Scriptures as agents employed by God in bringing punishment on wicked people. See (2 Kings 19:35); (Isaiah 37:36); (1 Chronicles 21:12); (1 Chronicles 21:30); (2 Samuel 24:16).