Psalms 35:22

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

This thou hast seen {H7200}, O LORD {H3068}: keep not silence {H2790}{H8799)}: O Lord {H136}, be not far {H7368}{H8799)} from me.

Complete Jewish Bible

You saw them, ADONAI; don't stay silent. Adonai, don't stay far away from me.

Berean Standard Bible

O LORD, You have seen it; be not silent. O Lord, be not far from me.

American Standard Version

Thou hast seen it, O Jehovah; keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 35:22 is a fervent and deeply personal plea from David to the sovereign God, born out of intense suffering and unjust persecution. It encapsulates David's unwavering conviction that the Lord is fully aware of his plight, coupled with an urgent petition for divine intervention and a profound longing for God's active, comforting presence in the midst of his distress. This verse serves as a powerful testament to the psalmist's trust in God's omniscience and justice, even when divine action seems delayed.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 35 is a vivid psalm of lament and imprecation, where David pours out his heart to God concerning his enemies who unjustly afflict him. The psalm opens with a desperate call for God to "contend with those who contend with me" ([Psalms 35:1](/psalms/35-1 "Psalm 35:1 - David's Plea for Vindication")), portraying God as a divine warrior. The first section (verses 1-10) is a direct appeal for God to fight on David's behalf. The middle section (verses 11-18) details the malicious actions of his adversaries, who return evil for David's good, falsely accuse him, and mock his suffering. David recalls his past kindness towards them, even fasting and mourning when they were sick ([Psalms 35:13-14](/psalms/35-13 "Psalm 35:13-14 - David's Compassion for his Enemies")). Verses 19-28 represent a renewed and intensified appeal for God's intervention and vindication, culminating in a promise of praise. Verse 22, specifically, marks a pivot within this final appeal, moving from a general cry for justice to a more intimate and direct address to the Lord, emphasizing God's personal observation of David's suffering and his urgent need for God's immediate presence and action.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical occasion for Psalm 35 is not explicitly stated, it is widely attributed to David and aligns with various periods of his life marked by intense persecution, such as his flight from Saul ([1_samuel/19](/1-samuel/19 "1 Samuel 19 - Saul's Attempts to Kill David")) or Absalom's rebellion ([2_samuel/15](/2-samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion")). In ancient Israelite society, justice was often sought through direct divine intervention, as the legal system could be manipulated or corrupted. The concept of God as a righteous judge who vindicates the innocent and punishes the wicked was central to their worldview. When faced with unmerited suffering or false accusations, individuals would often appeal directly to God, believing He saw all things and would ultimately set matters right. The "silence" or "distance" of God was perceived not merely as inaction but as a profound absence, leaving the afflicted vulnerable to their enemies and questioning divine justice. Thus, David's plea for God to "keep not silence" and "be not far from me" reflects a deep cultural understanding of God's active involvement in human affairs and the dire consequences of His perceived withdrawal.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 35:22 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 35 and the Psalter as a whole. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Omniscience and Justice**. David's opening declaration, "[This] thou hast seen, O LORD," is a foundational expression of faith in God's perfect knowledge of every injustice, every hidden plot, and every tear shed by the righteous. This conviction forms the basis for his subsequent plea for justice, as seen throughout the psalm, such as in [Psalms 35:23-24](/psalms/35-23 "Psalm 35:23-24 - God as Judge"). Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Urgent Prayer and Lament**. David's cries, "keep not silence" and "be not far from me," exemplify the raw, honest, and persistent nature of biblical lament. It is a desperate appeal for God to break His perceived inaction and demonstrate His power and justice, mirroring the cries found in other psalms where the righteous feel abandoned or unheard, like [Psalms 22:1-2](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1-2 - The Cry of Dereliction"). Finally, it emphasizes the profound **Need for God's Active Presence**. In moments of intense vulnerability and danger, the nearness of God is presented as the ultimate source of comfort, strength, and deliverance. David's longing for God to draw close and actively defend him is a recurring motif in the Psalms, reflecting the deep human yearning for divine intimacy and protection, as expressed in [Psalms 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Silence (Hebrew, _ḥāraš_):** The verb חָרַשׁ (_ḥāraš_), here in the imperative negative אַל־תֶּחֱרַשׁ (_ʾal-teḥĕraš_), literally means "to be silent," "to be deaf," or "to plow" (in a different context). In this context, it carries the strong connotation of God's perceived inaction or indifference. David is not merely asking God to speak, but to break a perceived state of non-response, as if God were deaf to his cries or deliberately withholding intervention. It implies that God's "silence" in the face of injustice is a profound source of distress and a perceived lack of engagement.
* **Far (Hebrew, _rāḥaq_):** The verb רָחַק (_rāḥaq_), in the imperative negative אַל־תִּרְחַק (_ʾal-tirḥaq_), means "to be far," "to be distant," or "to remove oneself." David's plea "be not far from me" expresses a deep longing for God's active, protective, and immediate presence. It is a cry against the feeling of abandonment or divine withdrawal, emphasizing the desperate need for God to draw near and actively engage in his defense, not merely to observe from a distance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[This] thou hast seen, O LORD":** This opening clause serves as both an affirmation and an appeal. It is an affirmation of God's omniscience—David is confident that God has observed every detail of his suffering, the malice of his enemies, and the injustice of his situation. The demonstrative "This" refers to all the preceding descriptions of his enemies' treachery and his own unmerited suffering. It is also an appeal, subtly reminding God of what He already knows, thereby laying the groundwork for the subsequent pleas for intervention. It implies that since God has seen, He is now obligated by His righteous character to act.
* **"keep not silence":** This is an urgent and direct imperative, a passionate plea for God to break His perceived inaction. David is not content with God merely seeing; he desires God to actively respond, to speak a word of judgment against his enemies, or to act decisively on his behalf. God's silence would be interpreted as indifference, lack of concern, or even a tacit approval of the injustice, which is unbearable for the psalmist. It is a call for God to manifest His presence and power through intervention.
* **"O Lord, be not far from me":** This final clause expresses David's profound longing for God's intimate and active presence. In his distress, David feels vulnerable and exposed. The nearness of God signifies protection, comfort, strength, and deliverance. To be "far" from God would mean to be without divine aid, left to the mercy of his adversaries. This plea underscores the psalmist's deep dependence on God's immediate and tangible support in the face of overwhelming opposition.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 35:22 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, a direct address to an absent or abstract entity, in this case, God ("O LORD," "O Lord"). This direct address intensifies the personal and urgent nature of David's prayer, creating a sense of intimacy and direct communication with the divine. The phrase "keep not silence" is a form of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics (the ability to be silent or speak) to God. This device makes God's actions and inactions relatable and emphasizes the psalmist's desire for a tangible, audible response from God. Similarly, "be not far from me" uses spatial language to express a theological concept of divine presence or absence, another form of anthropomorphic expression. The verse also exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous or antithetical, where the two negative imperatives "keep not silence" and "be not far from me" reinforce each other, both expressing a desire for God's active and immediate engagement rather than passivity or distance. The overall tone is one of **Lament**, a common genre in the Psalms, characterized by an outpouring of grief, complaint, and petition, often coupled with an expression of trust in God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 35:22 resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of God's character as both omniscient and just, and His intimate relationship with His people. It affirms that God is not a distant, unconcerned deity, but one who actively observes the suffering of the righteous and is moved by their cries. The psalmist's plea is a testament to the power and necessity of persistent prayer, especially in times of profound distress and injustice. It highlights the theological truth that while God may seem silent or distant, He is never truly unaware or unconcerned. This verse also underscores the theme of divine vindication, a core tenet of Old Testament theology, where God is expected to intervene on behalf of the oppressed and bring justice to the wicked. It reminds believers that God's active presence is the ultimate source of comfort and strength in the face of adversity, transforming feelings of abandonment into renewed hope.

* [Psalms 10:1](/psalms/10-1 "Psalm 10:1 - Why Do You Stand Far Off, O Lord?")
* [Psalms 28:1](/psalms/28-1 "Psalm 28:1 - Do Not Be Silent to Me")
* [Isaiah 64:12](/isaiah/64-12 "Isaiah 64:12 - Will You Restrain Yourself, O Lord?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 35:22 offers profound encouragement and guidance for believers navigating trials and injustices in their own lives. In a world often characterized by suffering, betrayal, and unmerited hardship, this verse reminds us that our God is not oblivious to our pain. Like David, we can find immense comfort in the truth that God "has seen" every tear, every injustice, and every secret struggle. This knowledge empowers us to bring our most desperate pleas before Him, boldly asking Him to "keep not silence" when we feel unheard, and to "be not far from us" when we feel vulnerable and alone. It challenges us to cultivate a faith that trusts in God's perfect timing and ultimate justice, even when His intervention seems delayed. Our earnest cries for His presence and action are not signs of weakness, but expressions of profound dependence on the One who is our refuge and strength.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific situations have you felt that God was "silent" or "far from you"?**
* **How does the truth that God "has seen" your struggles impact your prayer life and sense of comfort?**
* **What does it mean to truly long for God's active presence in your daily life, beyond just asking for specific outcomes?**
* **How can you maintain trust in God's justice and sovereignty when His intervention seems delayed or when injustice persists?**

### FAQ
**Does "keep not silence" imply that God is sometimes indifferent or absent?**

Answer: No, "keep not silence" does not imply that God is truly indifferent or absent. Rather, it reflects the psalmist's human perception and experience of God's perceived inaction in a moment of intense suffering. In biblical lament, it is common for the petitioner to express feelings of abandonment or to question God's delay in intervention, even while maintaining an underlying faith in His character. David knows God is omniscient ("This thou hast seen, O LORD"), but he is pleading for God to *manifest* His presence and power in a tangible way. It's a cry for God to break into his reality with a decisive act of justice or deliverance, not a theological statement about God's intrinsic nature. This raw honesty in prayer is a hallmark of the Psalms, inviting believers to bring their full range of emotions before God, trusting that He understands and responds in His perfect timing, as seen in other laments like [Psalms 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1 - How Long, O Lord?").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 35:22 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's cry for God to "keep not silence" and "be not far from me" echoes the profound human need for divine intervention in the face of overwhelming evil and suffering—a need perfectly met in Christ. Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, truly "saw" the depths of human sin and suffering, not from a distance, but by entering into it. He experienced the ultimate abandonment and perceived silence of God on the cross, crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). Yet, in His resurrection, God definitively broke His "silence," vindicating Christ and demonstrating His power over sin and death, thereby ensuring that He is "not far from" His people. Through Christ, believers are assured that God is intimately near, never silent, and always active on their behalf. The Holy Spirit, the "Comforter" ([John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Helper")), indwells believers, guaranteeing God's constant presence and intercession, fulfilling David's deepest longing for divine nearness and active support. Thus, in Christ, the cry of Psalms 35:22 is transformed from a desperate plea into a foundational truth of the new covenant: God has seen, has acted decisively in His Son, and will never leave nor forsake His own ([Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God Will Never Leave You")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 10:1

¶ Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? [why] hidest thou [thyself] in times of trouble?

Exodus 3:7

¶ And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which [are] in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

Psalms 28:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David. Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, [if] thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

Psalms 38:21

Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.

Psalms 22:11

¶ Be not far from me; for trouble [is] near; for [there is] none to help.

Psalms 71:12

O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.

Psalms 22:19

But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.