Psalms35

Psalm 35 is a fervent plea from David to the LORD for divine intervention against his numerous and malicious enemies. He asks God to fight on his behalf, confound his adversaries, and bring their wicked schemes back upon themselves. Despite his own compassionate actions towards them, David's foes have persecuted him without cause, leading him to seek God's righteous judgment and salvation.

Prayer for God, the Divine Warrior

1
Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me. ​
2
Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help.
3
Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me. Tell my soul, “I am your salvation.” ​
4
Let those who seek after my soul be disappointed and brought to dishonor. Let those who plot my ruin be turned back and confounded.
5
Let them be as chaff before the wind, The LORD’s angel driving them on. ​
6
Let their way be dark and slippery, The LORD’s angel pursuing them. ​
7
For without cause they have hidden their net in a pit for me. Without cause they have dug a pit for my soul. ​
8
Let destruction come on him unawares. Let his net that he has hidden catch himself. Let him fall into that destruction. ​
9
My soul shall be joyful in the LORD. It shall rejoice in his salvation.
10
All my bones shall say, “LORD, who is like you, who delivers the poor from him who is too strong for him; yes, the poor and the needy from him who robs him?” ​

The Complaint: Betrayal by False Witnesses

11
Unrighteous witnesses rise up. They ask me about things that I don’t know about. ​
12
They reward me evil for good, to the bereaving of my soul.
13
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth. I afflicted my soul with fasting. My prayer returned into my own bosom. ​
14
I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother. I bowed down mourning, as one who mourns his mother.
15
But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together. The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I didn’t know it. They tore at me, and didn’t cease. ​
16
Like the profane mockers in feasts, they gnashed their teeth at me.
17
Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, my precious life from the lions. ​
18
I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people. ​

Final Petition for Justice and Vindication

19
Don’t let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; neither let those who hate me without a cause wink their eyes. ​
20
For they don’t speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.
21
Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me. They said, “Aha! Aha! Our eye has seen it!” ​
22
You have seen it, LORD. Don’t keep silent. Lord, don’t be far from me.
23
Wake up! Rise up to defend me, my God! My Lord, contend for me!
24
Vindicate me, LORD my God, according to your righteousness. Don’t let them gloat over me. ​
25
Don’t let them say in their heart, “Aha! That’s the way we want it!” Don’t let them say, “We have swallowed him up!”
26
Let them be disappointed and confounded together who rejoice at my calamity. Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me.
27
Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause. Yes, let them say continually, “The LORD be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant!” ​
28
My tongue shall talk about your righteousness and about your praise all day long.

Study Notes for Psalms 35

Verse 1

This psalm is a 'contention' psalm (Hebrew: *rib*), where the psalmist asks God to act as both his legal advocate (plead my cause) and his military defender (fight against them).

Verse 3

The request for God to 'say unto my soul, I am thy salvation' emphasizes that the psalmist needs not only external deliverance but also internal and personal assurance of God’s presence and saving power.

Verse 5

Being 'as chaff before the wind' is a classic biblical image of the wicked being scattered and judged, reinforcing the theme of divine military action against the enemies.

Verse 6

The 'angel of the LORD' often serves as the agent of God’s judgment and protection, ensuring the enemies' path is fraught with danger and confusion.

Verse 7

The phrase 'without cause' (or 'wrongfully') is crucial, establishing the psalmist’s innocence and justifying the severity of the imprecation against the adversaries.

Verse 8

This verse invokes the principle of *lex talionis* (retribution), where the wicked fall victim to the very destructive plots they devised for others (cf. Ps 7:15).

Verse 10

The psalmist recognizes God as the unique deliverer (who is like unto thee?) of the vulnerable ('the poor and the needy') from those who abuse power and wealth.

Verse 11

The setting shifts from open warfare to a court scene, highlighting the specific injustice suffered: slander and judicial deceit by 'false witnesses' who accuse David of unknown crimes.

Verse 13

David contrasts his profound past compassion (mourning and fasting, usually reserved for close family) with the enemies' present malice, underscoring the depth of their betrayal.

Verse 15

The 'abjects' (low, vile people) gathering against the psalmist emphasizes the public humiliation and the malicious nature of the opposition, who 'tear me' (slander).

Verse 17

'My darling' (Hebrew: *yeḥîdâ*) often refers to the psalmist's life or sole possession, emphasizing the extreme vulnerability of his existence before the destructive power of the 'lions' (enemies).

Verse 18

This is a vow of public thanksgiving. David promises that his deliverance will be celebrated and acknowledged 'in the great congregation,' reinforcing communal faith.

Verse 19

The 'winking with the eye' is a gesture of contempt used by conspirators, indicating malicious glee and mutual agreement over the psalmist’s misfortune.

Verse 21

The cry 'Aha, aha' is a taunt, reflecting the enemies' certainty that they have successfully overcome David and that God has failed to defend him.

Verse 24

The appeal rests on God's 'righteousness' (covenant faithfulness and justice), seeking vindication based not on David's merit, but on God's moral character.

Verse 27

The ultimate goal is the public magnification of the LORD, demonstrating that God takes pleasure in the 'prosperity' (well-being and covenant blessing) of his loyal servant.

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