The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 1 — Section 257

he is on the defensive; Se.ul is hunting him PSALM XXXV. upon the mountains. And stand up for mine help (comp. Ps. vii. 6). Standing is A PSALM ascribed to David by the title, and the ne.tur11l posture of one who interposes to with many characteristics of bis early sty le help another. -abrupt, impassioned, full of lively and Ver. 3.-Draw out also the spear; rather, graphic images, and full of transitions. bring out also the ,rpear, since spears were 'I'be picture which the writer draws of his not, so for as is known, kept in sheaths, like swords (Exod. xv. 9), but only laid up in e.n own circumstances and position (vers. 11- armoury. And stop the way against them 17, 19-21) accords well with what we that perseoute me. So Jarchi, Rosenmuller, know of David's life when he was a fugitive Hitzig, Kay, Professor Alexander, Heng- from Saul, and there is a special agreement stenberg, and our Revise111; but a large between the first verse of the psalm and number of critics regard -u;;,-the word translated "stop the we.y "-0:s reRily the words historically ascribed to David at this name of a weapon, the Hebrew equivalent period of his career (1 Sam. x.xiv, 15). The of the Greek crcl.-ycip1r, which was probably psalm naturally divides itself into three the battle-axe. (So Vitringa, Michaelis, portions, neo.rly of equal length (vere. 1- Bishop Horsley, Cheyne, Mr. Aglen, and 10; 11-18; and 19-28), in each of which the 'Spee.ke1·'s Commentary.') The passage mn.y be traced the three elements of com- will then ree.d, "Bring out also the spear o.nd the battle-axe against them that perse- plaint, prayer, and promise of thanksgiving; cute me," which is certainly a better po.ro.llel the promise of thanksgiving being iu each to" Take hold of shield and buckler," than case reserved to the close. Prayer predo- "Bring out the spear, and stop the wny," minates in the first and third portions, com- Bay unto my soul, I am thy Salvation. plaint (vere. 11-16) in the second. Comfort my soul, i.e., with the assurance the.t thou art, and wilt ever be, my Salvation Ver. ].-Plead my cause, 0 Lord, with (comp. Pss. xxvii. 1: )xii. 2, 6; ex viii. H, them that strive with me: fight against 21, eto.). Delivernnce from the immediate them that fight against me (oomp. 1 Sam. danger is not all that is meant; but rather xxiv. 15, "The Lord therefore be Judge, support e.nd saving help in e.ll do.ngers e.nd and judge between me and thee; and see, in e.ll troubles. and plead ,11y cause, e.nd deliver me out of Ver. 4.-Let them be oon!ounded and put thiue band." The word translated " plead '' to shame that seek after my soul, It appears is e. judioie.l term; but the context shows from this the.t David's life i, being sought, the.t it we.a in the battle-field, rather than in which only happened at two periods in his the law-courts, that David's co.use was to be career: (1) when he wus a fugitive from Saul pleaded. The second hemislich is therefore ( I So.m. xix. 15-xxvi. 4); and (2) dUl"ing ndded to explain e.nd correct the first; it ie tho rebellion of Absnlom (2 Sam. xv. 13- fighting, not pleading, the.t is needed unde1· xviii. 8). The pso.lm therefore belongs to one the circumstu.ncee. or uthor of those periods, rno,t probably to Ver. 2.-Te.ke hold of shield e.nd buokler. the former (see the introductory paragraph, "The shiold (magen) was a smuller hand- and note tho resomblnnce between this weRpou; the buckler (tsinnah) covered the pa.ssago aud 1 Sam. xx. 1 : xxii. 23). Let whole body" (Kay). 'fho "shield find them be turned baok and brought to con- buckler" are put forward firdl, because it is fnsion that devise my hurt. Imprccntions primarily defence and protection that David closely resembling these occur frequently in needs. His o.d ver&Bries o.re the aggreBSors; the Davidice.l peulms (eco vor. 26; l'ss. xl. 268 THE BOOK OF PSALMS. [rs. XXXV. 1-28.