This thou hast seen, O Lord - Thou hast seen what they have done, as they profess to have seen what I have done Psalm 35:21. Thine eye has been upon all their movements, as they say that theirs has been upon mine. Compare the notes at Psalm 35:17.

Keep not silence - That is, Speak; rebuke them; punish them. God seemed to look on with unconcern. As we express it, he "said nothing." He appeared to pay no attention to what was done, but suffered them to do as they pleased without interposing to rebuke or check them. Compare the notes at Psalm 28:1.

O Lord, be not far from me - Compare the notes at Psalm 10:1.

This thou hast seen - I have no need to adduce evidences of these wrongs; thou, to whom I appeal, hast seen them. Therefore,

This thou hast seen, O Lord,.... The insults and derisions of these men, and the injuries they did to him, whom they hated. God is omniscient, and sees all things, all the evil wicked men do to him; and he will requite them in his own time; see Psalm 10:14;

keep not silence; meaning at his prayers; that he would not be as one deaf and dumb, turning his ears from his cries, and giving no answer to his requests; see Psalm 28:1;

O Lord, be not far from me; meaning not as to his general presence, in which sense he is not far from any, Acts 17: but with respect to his gracious presence and appearance to him for help and deliverance; see Psalm 22:1.

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.

This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.

35:22 This - Thou also hast seen, all their plots and threats, and all my distresses and calamities. Keep not - Be not deaf, to my prayers. The same word signifies, both to be silent, and to be deaf.

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.