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.
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Prayer for God, the Divine Warrior

1
A Psalm of David. Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. ​
2
Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.
3
Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. ​
4
Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
5
Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them. ​
6
Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them. ​
7
For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul. ​
8
Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall. ​
9
And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
10
All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him? ​

The Complaint: Betrayal by False Witnesses

11
False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. ​
12
They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.
13
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. ​
14
I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
15
But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: ​
16
With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
17
Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. ​
18
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. ​

Final Petition for Justice and Vindication

19
Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. ​
20
For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.
21
Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it. ​
22
This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.
23
Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
24
Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. ​
25
Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
26
Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.
27
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. ​
28
And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the 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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