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Psalms 35:6

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 35:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Let their way be dark and slippery, And the angel of Jehovah pursuing them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Let their way be dark and slippery, And the angel of Jehovah pursuing them.
Psalms 35:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 35

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that pursue me: Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
4Let them be put to shame and brought to dishonor that seek after my soul: Let them be turned back and confounded that devise my hurt.
5Let them be as chaff before the wind, And the angel of Jehovah driving [them] on.
6Let their way be dark and slippery, And the angel of Jehovah pursuing them.
7For without cause have they hid for me their net [in] a pit; Without cause have they digged [a pit] for my soul.
8Let destruction come upon him unawares; And let his net that he hath hid catch himself: With destruction let him fall therein.
9And my soul shall be joyful in Jehovah: It shall rejoice in his salvation.
← Psalms 35:5Psalms 35:7 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Let their way be dark - Margin, as in Hebrew: “darkness.” That is, let them not be able to see where they go; what danger they incur; what is before them. The idea is that of persons who wander in the night, not knowing what is before them, or what danger may be near. The succession of images and figures here is terrific. The representation is that of persons scattered as the chaff is before the wind; pursued by the angel seeking vengeance; and driven along a dark and slippery path, with no guide, and no knowledge as to the precipices which may be before them, or the enemies that may be pressing upon them. And slippery - Margin, as in Hebrew: “slipperiness.” This is a circumstance which adds…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Their way - By which they flee, being chased. Psalms 35:7”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“35:6 A path that is dark and slippery suggests instability and untimely doom under the Lord’s judgment (see 69:23; 73:18; 82:5; 107:10; 143:3). • The angel of the Lord is an agent of judgment as well as salvation.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“their: Psa 73:18; Pro 4:19; Jer 13:16, Jer 23:12 dark and slippery: Heb. darkness and slipperiness Psalms 35:7”
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Related study paths

Read Psalms 35 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification