Psalm 35:23

Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23) Stir up thyself.—Comp. Psalm 7:6.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

35:17-28 Though the people of God are, and study to be, quiet, yet it has been common for their enemies to devise deceitful matters against them. David prays, My soul is in danger, Lord, rescue it; it belongs to thee the Father of spirits, therefore claim thine own; it is thine, save it! Lord, be not far from me, as if I were a stranger. He who exalted the once suffering Redeemer, will appear for all his people: the roaring lion shall not destroy their souls, any more than he could that of Christ, their Surety. They trust their souls in his hands, they are one with him by faith, are precious in his sight, and shall be rescued from destruction, that they may give thanks in heaven.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Stir up thyself - Arouse thyself as if from sleep. See Psalm 44:23.

And awake to my judgment - To execute judgment for me, or to render me justice. A similar petition (almost in the same words) occurs in Psalm 7:6. See the notes at that passage.

Even unto my cause - In my behalf; or, in the cause which so nearly pertains to me.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

23, 24. (Compare Ps 7:6; 26:1; 2Th 1:6). God's righteous government is the hope of the pious and terror of the wicked.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

At last undertake to plead my cause against mine adversaries.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Stir up thyself and awake,.... Who seemed to be asleep in the apprehensions of the psalmist, and to take no notice of his distresses, and the insults of his enemies; see Psalm 44:23; he adds,

to my judgment, even to my cause; that is, to plead it and maintain it, and avenge him of his enemies, as in Psalm 35:1; making use of his covenant interest in him as a plea for it to engage him to do it, saying,

my God, and my Lord; see Psalm 22:1.

Geneva Study Bible

Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

23. Arouse and awake for my judgement,

O my God and my Lord, for my cause.

Interpose to do me justice, and defend my cause. Cp. Psalm 35:1, and see note on Psalm 7:6.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 23. - Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment (camp. Psalm 80:2; Psalm 44:23; Psalm 78:65). The psalmists call on God to awake, not as though he were really asleep, but as a sort of stirring appeal to him to arise and manifest himself. Even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. "Awake," i.e., "to judge my cause - to acquit me, and condemn my enemies" (camp. Psalm 9:4; Psalm 35:1; Psalm 43:1, etc.). Psalm 35:23

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

The poet takes up this malignant "now our eye sees it" and gives another turn to it. With יהוה, alternates in Psalm 35:22, Psalm 35:23, cf. Psalm 35:17, אדני, the pronominal force of which is revived in the combination אלחי ואדני (vid., Psalm 16:2). חעיר, carrying its object within itself, signifies to stir, rouse up, and הקיץ, to break off, tear one's self away, gather one's self up from, sleep. "To my right," viz., to prove it by facts; "to my cause," to carry it on in my defence.