Psalms 35:23

Context of Psalms 35:23

Psalm 35 is a fervent prayer of David, a psalm of lament and petition, crying out to God for deliverance from his enemies. These adversaries are depicted as treacherous, ruthless, and unjustly attacking him, even though David claims to have shown them kindness (as seen in Psalm 35:13-14). In this psalm, David appeals to God as his supreme Judge and Defender, seeking divine intervention against those who seek his ruin. Verse 23 is a direct and urgent appeal within this context, part of a series of pleas for God to act decisively on his behalf.

Key Themes and Messages

• Urgent Plea for Divine Intervention: David's cry, "Stir up thyself, and awake," is an impassioned appeal for God to break His apparent silence or inaction and intervene powerfully. It reflects a deep human need for God to demonstrate His presence and power in times of crisis.
• Appeal for God's Righteous Judgment: The phrase "to my judgment, even unto my cause" highlights David's desire for God to act as a righteous judge. He is presenting his case before the divine court, confident in God's justice and seeking vindication against false accusations and unjust persecution. This theme of seeking God's justice is common in the Psalms, as seen in Psalm 7:8.
• Intimate Relationship with God: Addressing God as "my God and my Lord" signifies David's personal and profound relationship with the Almighty. It's a declaration of trust and ownership, emphasizing that he belongs to God and God is his ultimate authority and hope.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verbs translated "Stir up thyself" (`ur` - עוּר) and "awake" (`quts` - קוּץ) are strong, active terms. They are anthropomorphic, meaning they describe God using human-like actions, portraying Him as if He were sleeping or inactive and needed to be roused. This vivid language conveys the urgency and intensity of David's prayer, underscoring his desperate need for God's immediate attention and action.

The terms "judgment" (`mishpat` - מִשְׁפָּט) and "cause" (`riyb` - רִיב) carry legal connotations, reinforcing the idea of a courtroom setting where David is the plaintiff and God is the ultimate Judge. David is laying out his legal case before the divine arbiter.

Related Scriptures

This verse echoes similar urgent pleas for God to act in other Psalms, such as Psalm 44:23, where the psalmist cries, "Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever." Both passages reflect a deep sense of abandonment or perceived divine inaction, prompting a passionate call for God to manifest His power.

Practical Application

Psalms 35:23 offers a powerful model for believers facing injustice, false accusations, or feeling overwhelmed by adversity. It teaches us to:

• Pray with Urgency: Do not hesitate to bring our deepest needs and cries for justice directly to God, even using passionate language.
• Trust in God's Justice: Have confidence that God is a righteous Judge who hears the cries of His people and will ultimately vindicate those who are wronged, according to His perfect timing and will.
• Maintain a Personal Relationship: Cling to the truth that God is "my God and my Lord," a personal and sovereign Protector who cares deeply for our individual causes.

This verse reminds us that even when God seems silent or distant, we can boldly call upon Him to "stir up" Himself and intervene in our lives, knowing He is attentive to our cause.