Psalms 35:22

Psalms 35:22 (KJV) is a poignant cry from David, expressing his deep distress and earnest plea for God's intervention and presence amidst severe persecution. It encapsulates a profound trust in God's awareness of his plight and an urgent request for divine action.

Context

Psalm 35 is a psalm of lament and imprecation, where David pours out his heart to God concerning his enemies who unjustly afflict him. He describes their malicious intent, false accusations, and relentless pursuit, despite his past kindness towards them. Verses 22-26 represent a renewed appeal to God for vindication, following earlier prayers for deliverance and justice. David’s experience here reflects the struggles of the righteous facing unmerited suffering and the desperate need for a just God to intervene.

Key Themes

• God's Omniscience and Awareness: The opening phrase, "This thou hast seen, O LORD," highlights David's confidence that God is fully aware of every injustice, every hidden plot, and every tear. It's an appeal to God's perfect knowledge and a foundation for his plea for justice.
• The Cry for Divine Intervention: "keep not silence" is an urgent request for God to act decisively and speak on David's behalf. It signifies a desire for God to break His perceived inaction and demonstrate His power and justice. This echoes similar pleas found in other psalms when the righteous feel abandoned or unheard, as seen in Psalm 28:1.
• The Need for God's Nearness: "O Lord, be not far from me" expresses David's deep longing for God's active presence and help. In moments of intense vulnerability and danger, the nearness of God is the ultimate source of comfort, strength, and deliverance. It implies a desire for God to draw close and actively defend him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "keep not silence" is 'al teḥĕrash (אַל־תֶּחֱרַשׁ), which literally means "do not be deaf" or "do not be silent." This conveys a powerful sense of urgency and desperation, implying that God's silence would be perceived as indifference or inaction in the face of suffering. The plea "be not far from me" ('al tirḥaq mimmennî - אַל־תִּרְחַק מִמֶּנִּי) further emphasizes the desire for an active, protective, and immediate divine presence, not merely a distant observation.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement for believers facing injustice or hardship today:

• God Sees and Knows: We can find comfort in knowing that God is not ignorant of our struggles, pains, or the wrongs committed against us. He is omniscient and perfectly just.
• Bold Prayer for Intervention: Like David, we are encouraged to bring our urgent pleas before the Lord, asking Him to intervene in our circumstances and to bring justice. We can ask Him to "keep not silence" in situations where we desperately need His action.
• Desiring God's Presence: In times of distress, the most crucial need is often God's palpable presence. This verse reminds us to pray for God to be "not far from us," to draw near and sustain us, offering comfort and strength. This aligns with the promise that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us.