John Gill Commentary Psalms 71:4

"Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man." — Psalms 71:4 (ASV)

Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked
Meaning Absalom his son, as Arama, who had risen up in rebellion against him; and he may not only intend him, but all those wicked men that had joined with him: it was David's mercy he had a covenant God to go to, and could claim his interest in him, who has power to deliver him, and from whom he might expect it;

out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man ;
or "leavened" ^F19 ; a sour ill natured man; one leavened with malice and wickedness: perhaps Ahithophel is intended. It may be applied to any wicked, lawless, and tyrannical persecutor of God's people; and particularly to the lawless and wicked one, the man of sin, the son of perdition, antichrist, (2 Thessalonians 2:4 2 Thessalonians 2:8) .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F19: (Umwx) "malitiae fermento prorsus corrupti", Michaelis, "secundum", Gejerum & Gussetium; so Ainsworth.