The last group of vv. 21, 22, puts the teaching of the psalm in one terrible contrast, "Evil shall slay the wicked." It were a mere platitude if by "evil" were meant misfortune. The same thought of the inseparable connection of the two senses of that word, which runs through the context, is here expressed in the most terse fashion. To do evil is to suffer evil, and all sin is suicide. Its wages is death. Every sin is a strand in the hangman's rope, which the sinner nooses and puts round his own neck. That is so because every sin brings guilt, and guilt brings retribution. Much more than "desolate" is meant in vv. 21 and 22. The word means _to be condemned_ or _held guilty_. Jehovah is the Judge; before His bar all actions and characters are set: His unerring estimate of each brings with it, here and now, consequences of reward and punishment which prophesy a future, more perfect judgment. The redemption of the soul of God's servants is the antithesis to that awful experience; and they only, who take refuge in Him, escape it. The full Christian significance of this final contrast is in the Apostle's words, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus."
1 Plead my cause, Jehovah, with those who plead against me; Fight with those who fight with me. 2 Grasp target and shield, And stand up in my help, 3 And unsheathe lance and battle-axe (?) against my pursuers; Say to my soul, Thy salvation am I.
4 Be the seekers after my life put to shame and dishonoured; Be the plotters of my hurt turned back and confounded 5 Be they as chaff before the wind, And the angel of Jehovah striking them down! 6 Be their path darkness and slipperiness, And the angel of Jehovah pursuing them!
7 For without provocation have they hidden for me their net; Without provocation have they dug a pit for my life. 8 May destruction light on him unawares, And his net which he hath hidden snare him; Into destruction (the pit?)--may he fall therein!
9 And my soul shall exult in Jehovah, Shall rejoice in His salvation. 10 All my bones shall say, Jehovah, who is like Thee, Delivering the afflicted from a stronger than he, Even the afflicted and poor from his spoiler?
11 Unjust witnesses rise up; Of what I know not they ask me. 12 They requite me evil for good-- Bereavement to my soul! 13 But I--in their sickness my garment was sackcloth, I afflicted my soul by fasting, And my prayer--may it return again (do thou return?) to my own bosom. 14 As [for] my friend or brother, I dragged myself about (bowed myself down?); As one mourning for a mother, I bowed down (dragged myself about?) in squalid attire. 15 And at my tottering they rejoice and assemble themselves; Abjects and those whom I know not assemble against me; They tear me, and cease not, 16 Like the profanest of buffoons for a bit of bread, Gnashing their teeth at me.