Psalms 35:25

KJV

Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let them not say {H559} in their hearts {H3820}, Ah {H1889}, so would we have it {H5315}: let them not say {H559}{H8799)}, We have swallowed him up {H1104}{H8765)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't let them say to themselves, "Aha! We got what we wanted!"or say, "We swallowed them up!"

Berean Standard Bible

Let them not say in their hearts, “Aha, just what we wanted!” Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up!”

American Standard Version

Let them not say in their heart, Aha, so would we have it: Let them not say, We have swallowed him up.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 35:25 is a fervent plea from David, crying out to God to prevent his malicious enemies from achieving their desired triumph and gloating over his downfall. It vividly portrays the sinister intent of his adversaries, who long for his complete annihilation and wish to celebrate his utter destruction. David's prayer is a desperate appeal for divine intervention, seeking to thwart their wicked desires and ensure God's justice prevails over their unprovoked hostility and the ultimate shame of his utter consumption.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 35 is a powerful lament and imprecatory psalm, one of several in which David cries out to God for deliverance from unjust and relentless enemies. The psalm opens with David's plea for God to act as his champion, urging Him to "[contend with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me!](/psalms/35-1 "Psalms 35:1 - David's Plea for God's Intervention")". The preceding verses describe the treachery and unprovoked hostility David faces, highlighting how his adversaries repay good with evil, setting traps for him without cause, as seen in his lament, "[For without cause they have hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul](/psalms/35-7 "Psalms 35:7 - The Unprovoked Malice of Enemies")". Verse 25 specifically captures the culmination of his enemies' malicious desire: not just his defeat, but their triumphant mockery and complete absorption of his identity and existence, serving as a desperate counter-prayer against such a humiliating and devastating outcome. This verse intensifies the emotional core of David's suffering, emphasizing the psychological torment inflicted by his foes' gloating intentions, building on the earlier pleas for God's swift intervention found throughout [Psalm 35](/psalms/35 "Psalm 35 - David's Prayer for Deliverance").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by David, this psalm likely reflects periods of intense persecution, possibly during his flight from King Saul or the rebellion of Absalom. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, public humiliation and the gloating of victorious enemies were deeply significant aspects of warfare and conflict. To be "swallowed up" was not merely to be defeated but to be utterly consumed, leaving no trace, signifying a complete and irreversible victory for the aggressor and profound shame for the vanquished. The prayer against such an outcome underscores the cultural importance of honor and vindication, where the ultimate shame would be for one's enemies to openly rejoice in one's destruction, believing their malicious desires had been fully realized. The public declaration of triumph, often accompanied by derisive shouts like "Aha!", was a common feature of ancient conflict, designed to maximize the humiliation of the vanquished and solidify the victor's dominance. David's plea is thus a cry against both physical annihilation and the profound spiritual and social dishonor that would accompany it.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major themes found throughout the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Vindication and Justice**, as David's prayer is a desperate cry for God's righteous judgment to be manifest, preventing his adversaries from celebrating his defeat and affirming his own righteousness, as seen in his plea, "[Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness](/psalms/35-24 "Psalms 35:24 - David's Plea for Righteous Judgment")". It starkly portrays the **Malice of Enemies**, revealing the wicked desires of those who oppose the righteous, wishing for complete destruction and rejoicing in the suffering of others. Implicit in David's fervent plea is his unwavering **Trust in God's Deliverance**, recognizing that God alone can thwart the plans of the wicked and ultimately deliver him from their grasp, a theme echoed in many psalms of lament, such as [Psalm 3](/psalms/3 "Psalm 3 - A Psalm of Trust in God's Protection"). Furthermore, the language of being "swallowed up" carries profound implications for **Spiritual Warfare**, where the enemy seeks to consume and utterly destroy one's faith, hope, and very existence, echoing the warnings found in the New Testament about spiritual adversaries, for example, "[Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - The Roaring Lion")".

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ah (Hebrew, _heʼâch'_):** This is an onomatopoeic interjection (H1889) expressing malicious glee, triumphant satisfaction, or derisive mockery. It is an exclamation of perverse joy at the misfortune or downfall of another, often translated as "Aha!" or "Ha!" In this context, it embodies the enemies' anticipated shout of victory, revealing their cruel and unfeeling disposition towards David's suffering.
* **swallowed him up (Hebrew, _bâlaʻ'_):** This verb (H1104) means to consume, devour, or utterly destroy. The imagery is vivid and violent, suggesting a complete absorption or annihilation, leaving no trace behind. It emphasizes the enemies' desire for a total and irreversible victory over David, where he would be entirely absorbed, erased, and forgotten, much like food is consumed. This goes beyond mere defeat to a wish for existential obliteration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let them not say in their hearts":** This opening clause highlights the internal, malicious intent of David's enemies. Their desire for his destruction is not merely an outward expression but a deep-seated wish, a thought cherished within their very being. David prays that God would thwart even the silent, internal gloating of his adversaries, recognizing that true evil originates in the heart.
* **"Ah, so would we have it":** This is the direct quote of the enemies' anticipated cry of triumph. The "Ah" (Hebrew _heʼâch_) is an exclamation of malicious glee. The phrase "so would we have it" (Hebrew _nephesh_) idiomatically means "our soul's desire" or "our wish is fulfilled." It encapsulates their desired outcome: David's utter defeat and their malicious satisfaction in seeing their malevolent wishes fulfilled. It's an exclamation of a soul's perverse joy at the suffering of another.
* **"let them not say, We have swallowed him up":** This second prohibition reiterates and intensifies the first. The phrase "We have swallowed him up" represents the ultimate, irreversible victory the enemies seek. It signifies not just defeat, but complete absorption and annihilation, where David would be utterly consumed and his existence effectively erased. David prays that this final, devastating declaration of triumph would never pass their lips, nor be conceived in their hearts, as it would signify the complete victory of evil over righteousness.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 35:25 employs several powerful literary devices to convey David's desperate plea and the malice of his enemies. The most prominent is **Imprecation**, where David directly appeals to God to act against his adversaries, praying for their plans to be thwarted. This is not a personal curse, but a call for divine justice to intervene and prevent the wicked from achieving their malicious desires. **Metaphor** is vividly used in the phrase "We have swallowed him up," which is not meant literally but serves as a powerful image for total, irreversible destruction and absorption. This metaphor evokes a sense of being utterly consumed and erased, highlighting the extreme nature of the enemies' desire. Furthermore, the verse exhibits **Synonymous Parallelism**, as the two clauses ("Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up") express similar malicious intentions of the enemies, reinforcing their desire for David's complete downfall through slightly different but complementary expressions. The repeated "let them not say" also functions as a form of **Anaphora**, emphasizing the urgency and intensity of David's prayer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly speaks to the nature of evil and the righteous's reliance on divine intervention. It highlights that true malice extends beyond outward actions to the very desires of the heart, where enemies wish for complete annihilation and gloat over the prospect of another's ruin. David's prayer is a testament to the belief that God is the ultimate arbiter of justice, capable of thwarting even the most deeply ingrained wicked intentions. It underscores the theological truth that God is the defender of the oppressed, and His vindication is the only true safeguard against the triumph of unrighteousness. For the believer, it affirms that our ultimate security rests not in our own strength or cunning, but in the sovereign power of God to deliver us from those who seek our harm, both physically and spiritually. It is a powerful reminder that God sees the hidden intentions of the heart and will ultimately bring all things to light.

* [Proverbs 24:17-18](/proverbs/24-17-18 "Proverbs 24:17-18 - Do Not Rejoice Over an Enemy's Fall")
* [Psalm 124:6](/psalms/124-6 "Psalm 124:6 - Not Given as Prey to Their Teeth")
* [Psalm 35:1](/psalms/35-1 "Psalm 35:1 - David's Plea for God to Contend")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 35:25 offers profound insights for believers navigating opposition, malicious intent, or spiritual warfare in contemporary life. It encourages us to bring our most desperate pleas for protection and vindication directly to God, trusting that He sees the hidden intentions of our adversaries and is able to thwart their plans. In a world where envy, slander, malicious gossip, or even systemic injustice can seek to "swallow up" reputations, careers, or even faith, this verse reminds us that our ultimate defense lies in God's sovereign power. It calls us to pray not only for deliverance from outward attacks but also for the frustration of the internal, gloating desires of those who wish us ill. Furthermore, it serves as a powerful warning against harboring such malicious desires ourselves, reminding us that rejoicing in the downfall of others, even our enemies, is contrary to God's character and His call to love. Instead, we are called to trust God for justice, knowing that He will ultimately vindicate His own and bring to light the hidden things of darkness, ensuring that no enemy will ultimately gloat over the destruction of God's people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you respond when you perceive others gloating over your struggles or failures, and how can you apply David's prayer in your own life?**
* **In what ways might we, even subtly, be tempted to "swallow up" others through gossip, judgment, unforgiveness, or the spread of misinformation?**
* **How does this verse deepen your reliance on God's protection and vindication in the face of spiritual or relational battles, knowing He sees the heart?**

### FAQ

**Is it appropriate for a believer to pray for their enemies' downfall, as David seems to do here?**

Answer: Psalms 35:25, like other imprecatory psalms, expresses a desire for God's justice to be manifest against those who maliciously seek to destroy the righteous. It's crucial to understand these prayers not as personal vengeance but as appeals to God, the righteous Judge, to uphold His covenant, vindicate the innocent, and bring an end to unrighteousness. David is not taking justice into his own hands but entrusting it to God. While the New Testament calls believers to "[bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not](/romans/12-14 "Romans 12:14 - Bless Those Who Persecute You")" and to "[pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")", these commands do not negate God's ultimate role as judge. Instead, they call us to entrust justice to Him while we extend grace. David's prayer here is a cry for divine intervention to prevent the triumph of evil, a longing for God's righteousness to prevail and His glory to be seen.

**What does the phrase "We have swallowed him up" mean in a spiritual or metaphorical sense for believers today?**

Answer: Metaphorically, "swallowing up" signifies complete destruction, absorption, and annihilation, leaving no trace. For believers today, this can refer to spiritual adversaries who seek to utterly consume our faith, hope, and joy. The Apostle Peter warns us, "[Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - The Roaring Lion Seeking to Devour")". This "devouring" or "swallowing up" can manifest as overwhelming discouragement, persistent doubt, temptation to sin that leads to spiritual death, or the erosion of our testimony and witness. David's prayer in Psalms 35:25, therefore, becomes a timeless plea for God's deliverance from these spiritual forces that seek to utterly consume us, reminding us that our ultimate protection comes from the Lord, who is greater than any adversary.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's desperate prayer in Psalms 35:25, that his enemies would not gloat and say, "We have swallowed him up," finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus, the perfectly righteous one, was indeed "swallowed up" by His enemies, who rejoiced in His crucifixion, believing they had achieved their malicious desire. The religious leaders and Roman authorities thought they had utterly consumed Him, sealing Him in a tomb, and the powers of darkness celebrated their apparent victory. Yet, the very act of His being "swallowed up" by death was precisely what God used to "swallow up" death itself. The resurrection of Jesus was God's resounding "No!" to the enemies' gloating, demonstrating that death could not hold Him, as Peter proclaimed in [Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up, Loosing the Pains of Death - Peter's Sermon") and the Apostle Paul echoed in [1 Corinthians 15:55](/1_corinthians/15-55 "1 Corinthians 15:55 - O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?"). Through Christ's triumph, the ultimate spiritual enemy, Satan, who seeks to devour and destroy, was decisively defeated. The "swallowing up" of sin and death by Christ's sacrifice and resurrection means that for all who believe, the ultimate enemy can no longer say, "We have swallowed him up," for "[death is swallowed up in victory](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54 - Death Swallowed Up in Victory")" through our Lord Jesus Christ. His victory is our vindication, His resurrection our guarantee that no enemy, physical or spiritual, can ultimately consume those who are in Him, for we are eternally secure in the one who conquered all.

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

Lamentations 2:16

All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed [her] up: certainly this [is] the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen [it].

Psalms 124:3

Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:

2 Samuel 20:19

I [am one of them that are] peaceable [and] faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?

Psalms 27:12

Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

Mark 2:8

And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

Mark 2:6

But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

Psalms 56:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.