Psalms 35:23

KJV

Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, [even] unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

KJV (with Strong's)

Stir up {H5782} thyself, and awake {H6974}{H8685)} to my judgment {H4941}, even unto my cause {H7379}, my God {H430} and my Lord {H136}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Wake up! Get up, my God, my Lord! Defend me and my cause!

Berean Standard Bible

Awake and rise to my defense, to my cause, my God and my Lord!

American Standard Version

Stir up thyself, and awake to the justice due unto me, Even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 35:23 presents an impassioned and urgent plea from David, a fervent cry for God to intervene decisively against his unjust adversaries. He calls upon God, whom he intimately addresses as "my God and my Lord," to "stir up" and "awake" to his legal "judgment" and "cause," seeking divine vindication and righteous justice in a time of intense persecution and betrayal.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 35 is a profound psalm of individual lament and petition, deeply rooted in David's experience of suffering at the hands of treacherous enemies. The psalm opens with a direct appeal for God to contend with David's adversaries, asking Him to "fight against those who fight against me" in [Psalm 35:1](/psalms/35-1 "Psalm 35:1 - A Plea for Justice"). The initial section (verses 1-8) vividly describes the malicious intent and unprovoked attacks of these enemies, while David asserts his innocence. Verses 9-18 then shift to a declaration of praise and trust in God's eventual deliverance, anticipating His intervention. However, the tone reverts in verses 19-28, returning to the theme of unjust suffering and a renewed, urgent plea for divine intervention. Verse 23 is a climactic expression within this latter section, following David's lament over the enemies' false accusations and their delight in his distress, as seen in [Psalm 35:19](/psalms/35-19 "Psalm 35:19 - Enemies Without Cause"), serving as a direct and desperate call for God to break His perceived silence and actively engage in David's defense.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life, as depicted in the historical books of the Old Testament, was frequently marked by political intrigue, betrayal, and military conflict, whether from King Saul, Absalom, or other adversaries. The language of "judgment" (`mishpâṭ`) and "cause" (`rîyb`) in verse 23 evokes the legal proceedings common in the ancient Near East, where a wronged party would appeal to a higher authority—a king, a judge, or even a deity—for justice. In this context, God is envisioned as the ultimate divine Judge, presiding over a cosmic courtroom. The cultural understanding of justice was deeply intertwined with the divine; it was expected that a righteous God would not allow injustice to persist indefinitely and would ultimately vindicate the innocent. David's appeal is thus rooted in his covenantal relationship with Yahweh, trusting that God, as his sovereign Lord, would defend His chosen servant and uphold righteousness.

* **Key Themes:** A central theme in Psalm 35 is the fervent desire for **Divine Justice and Vindication**. David trusts in God's character as a righteous judge who will ultimately vindicate the innocent and punish the wicked, a theme echoed throughout the Psalms, such as in [Psalm 7:8](/psalms/7-8 "Psalm 7:8 - God Judges the Peoples"). The psalm also exemplifies the biblical genre of **Lament and Petition**, where the psalmist articulates deep distress, appeals to God's character, and passionately petitions for intervention. The urgency of "Stir up thyself, and awake" is characteristic of these desperate prayers for God to act decisively, mirroring the plea found in [Psalm 44:23](/psalms/44-23 "Psalm 44:23 - A Cry for God to Awake"). Finally, David's intimate address, "my God and my Lord," highlights the **Personal Relationship with God** that underpins his bold appeals. This intimate and covenantal bond forms the basis of his confidence in God's attentiveness to his individual plight and His ultimate power to deliver, as expressed in [Psalm 18:2](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - The Lord, My Rock and My Fortress").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Stir up (Hebrew, _ʻûwr'_):** This imperative verb (H5782) means "to wake (literally or figuratively), to raise (up), to stir up (self)." It is a fervent, direct command to God, reflecting the psalmist's intense desire for God to rouse Himself from perceived inactivity and act decisively. This anthropomorphic plea conveys the human urgency for divine intervention.
* **Awake (Hebrew, _qûwts'_):** This imperative verb (H6974), often conveying abruptness in starting from sleep, means "to awake (literally or figuratively), to arise, to watch." Paired with _ʻûwr_, it powerfully reinforces the psalmist's plea for God to become active and attentive, creating an emphatic call for decisive divine intervention.
* **Judgment (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** This noun (H4941) properly refers to "a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree, or abstractly, justice." David is appealing for God to act as the ultimate Judge, to render a righteous verdict in his favor, and to demonstrate divine justice concerning his legal case.
* **Cause (Hebrew, _rîyb'_):** This noun (H7379) denotes "a contest (personal or legal), a dispute, or a suit." It specifically refers to the legal case or argument David is presenting before God. Paired with _mishpâṭ_, it frames David's appeal as a formal presentation of his grievance within a divine legal proceeding, seeking vindication.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Stir up thyself, and awake":** This urgent, anthropomorphic imperative expresses David's desperate plea for God to cease His apparent inaction and intervene decisively. It's a passionate cry for God to rouse Himself from perceived slumber or silence and actively engage in David's defense, manifesting His power and presence. The pairing of these two verbs creates a powerful emphasis on the psalmist's longing for immediate and visible divine action.
* **"to my judgment, [even] unto my cause":** This phrase clarifies the precise purpose of God's awakening. David is presenting his legal dispute (`rîyb`) before God, appealing for divine justice (`mishpâṭ`). He desires God to act as the supreme Judge, to hear his plea, and to render a righteous verdict against his unjust adversaries, vindicating him in the divine court. This highlights the legal framework of the psalmist's appeal.
* **"my God and my Lord":** This intimate and emphatic address underscores David's personal and covenantal relationship with Yahweh. "My God" (אֱלֹהַי, `elohai`) signifies a deep, personal bond, while "my Lord" (אֲדֹנָי, `adonai`) denotes absolute sovereignty and authority. This dual address expresses both profound personal trust and recognition of God's ultimate power and right to rule, forming the unshakeable foundation of David's confident appeal.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 35:23 is rich in **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human actions like "stirring up" and "awaking" to God. This vivid imagery is not meant to suggest God is literally dormant, but rather to intensify the psalmist's desperate plea for divine intervention, conveying the urgency of his need as if God were roused from a state of inactivity. The verse also employs **Parallelism**, particularly in the pairing of "Stir up thyself" and "awake," and "my judgment" and "my cause." In these instances, the second phrase either reiterates or expands upon the first, adding emphasis and reinforcing the legal context of David's appeal. Furthermore, the use of **Direct Address** ("my God and my Lord") creates a powerful sense of immediacy and intimacy, highlighting the personal and profound nature of David's fervent petition to the Almighty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the biblical theme of God as the ultimate Judge and Defender of the oppressed. It highlights the believer's right to appeal to God for justice when facing wrongful accusation or persecution, trusting in His character as righteous and faithful to His covenant people. David's plea is not a demand but a confident petition rooted in God's unwavering justice. It underscores the active role God plays in human affairs, even when His intervention seems delayed, modeling a posture of desperate dependence combined with unwavering trust in divine sovereignty and justice. The psalmist's fervent cry reminds us that God is attentive to the "cause" of His people and will ultimately bring about His righteous will.

* [Psalm 44:23](/psalms/44-23 "Psalm 44:23 - A Plea for God to Awake")
* [Psalm 7:8](/psalms/7-8 "Psalm 7:8 - God Judges the Peoples")
* [Isaiah 51:9](/isaiah/51-9 "Isaiah 51:9 - Awake, Awake, O Arm of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 35:23 serves as a profound template for believers grappling with injustice, betrayal, or feeling overwhelmed by circumstances where God seems silent or distant. It empowers us to bring our most desperate pleas directly to the Almighty, not with a sense of demanding but with a humble yet urgent appeal to His character as a righteous Judge. When we feel our "cause" is just but our vindication is elusive, this verse encourages us to lay out our case before God, trusting that He sees, He hears, and He will act in His perfect timing and according to His sovereign will. It reminds us that our relationship with God is deeply personal ("my God and my Lord"), giving us the confidence to call upon Him as our ultimate Defender and Advocate, even when the world seems to have turned against us. Our faith is not in the immediate outcome but in the unchanging nature of the One who judges righteously and always works for the good of those who love Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel a need for God to "stir up" Himself and intervene on your behalf?**
* **How does understanding God as your "God and your Lord" impact your confidence in bringing your "cause" before Him?**
* **What does this verse teach you about the nature of prayer when facing injustice or perceived divine silence?**

### FAQ

**Is it appropriate to ask God to "stir up" Himself or "awake"? Does this imply God is sleeping or inactive?**

Answer: No, it does not imply that God is literally sleeping or inactive. This language is an **anthropomorphism**, a literary device where human characteristics or actions are attributed to God to help us understand His interaction with the world from our limited perspective. It reflects the psalmist's intense human experience of perceived divine delay or silence in the face of urgent need. David is expressing his desperate plea for God to manifest His power and presence in a tangible way, to act decisively and visibly on his behalf, as if rousing Himself to action. It's a passionate cry for God to demonstrate His active attention to the psalmist's plight, not a theological statement about God's actual state of being.

**What is the significance of David calling God "my God and my Lord"?**

Answer: This dual address is highly significant. "My God" (אֱלֹהַי, `elohai`) emphasizes the personal, covenantal relationship David has with Yahweh. It speaks to intimacy and belonging, much like the relationship described in [Psalm 23:1](/psalms/23-1 "Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is My Shepherd"). "My Lord" (אֲדֹנָי, `adonai`) signifies God's absolute sovereignty, authority, and ownership. It acknowledges God's supreme rule and David's submission to Him. Together, these titles form a powerful declaration of both profound personal trust and recognition of God's ultimate power and right to judge and deliver. It grounds David's bold petition in a deep theological understanding of who God is to him personally and universally.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While David's plea in Psalms 35:23 is for personal vindication against earthly enemies, it finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest resonance in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus, the perfectly righteous one, faced unparalleled injustice, betrayal, and false accusations, even from those He came to save, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected by Men"). Unlike David, He did not cry out for God to "stir up" and "awake" for His personal earthly vindication in the same way, but rather submitted Himself entirely to the Father's will, even unto death on the cross, as exemplified in [Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Not My Will, But Yours"). Yet, in His glorious resurrection, God definitively "stirred up" and "awoke" to His cause, vindicating Him as the righteous Son and Lord over all, as declared in [Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up"). The resurrection is God's ultimate judgment against sin and death, and His supreme declaration of Christ's perfect righteousness. Thus, believers who are "in Christ" find their own "cause" and "judgment" eternally settled, not by their own merits, but by the perfect righteousness and ultimate vindication of Jesus. Our ultimate deliverance from spiritual enemies and our future vindication are secured through the one who perfectly fulfilled David's longing for divine justice, ensuring that no one can bring any charge against God's elect, as affirmed in [Romans 8:33](/romans/8-33 "Romans 8:33 - Who Will Bring Any Charge Against God's Elect?").

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 44:23

Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast [us] not off for ever.

Psalms 7:6

Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me [to] the judgment [that] thou hast commanded.

Isaiah 51:9

¶ Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon?

Psalms 80:2

Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come [and] save us.

Psalms 89:26

He shall cry unto me, Thou [art] my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

Psalms 142:5

I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou [art] my refuge [and] my portion in the land of the living.

John 20:28

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.