Psalms 35:25

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

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)}.

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

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

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

Commentary on Psalms 35:25 (KJV)

Psalms 35:25 is a fervent plea from David, expressing his deep desire that his enemies would not triumph over him or mock his downfall. It reveals the malicious intent of his adversaries and his desperate prayer for divine intervention to prevent their sinister desires from being realized.

Context

Psalm 35 is a powerful lament and imprecatory psalm of David, where he cries out to God for deliverance from his unjust and relentless enemies. Throughout the psalm, David describes the treachery and unprovoked hostility he faces from those who seek his ruin. He calls upon God to fight for him (Psalms 35:1) and to bring confusion and shame upon those who seek his life. This particular verse, Psalms 35:25, specifically addresses the gloating and complete victory his enemies wish to achieve, highlighting their cruel satisfaction in his potential demise.

Key Themes

  • Vindication and Justice: David's prayer is a cry for God's justice to be manifest, preventing his adversaries from celebrating his defeat and affirming his righteousness. He desires God to judge him according to His righteousness.
  • The Malice of Enemies: The verse powerfully portrays the wicked desires of those who oppose the righteous. They wish for complete destruction and rejoice in the suffering of others, embodying a spirit of unholy triumph.
  • Trust in God's Deliverance: Implicit in David's plea is his unwavering trust that God alone can prevent his enemies from achieving their malicious aims and ultimately deliver him from their grasp.
  • Spiritual Warfare: The language of being "swallowed up" can be understood in a broader sense of spiritual annihilation, where the enemy seeks to consume and utterly destroy one's faith, hope, and very existence.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Ah, so would we have it": The Hebrew phrase here is he'ach nafshēnu (הֶאָח נַפְשֵׁנוּ), which is an exclamation of triumphant satisfaction, akin to "Aha! Our soul's desire!" or "Aha! We have achieved our wish!" It conveys a deep, malicious pleasure in the anticipated downfall of an opponent.
  • "We have swallowed him up": The Hebrew verb billa'nuhu (בִּלַּעְנוּהוּ) means to consume, devour, or utterly destroy. It paints a vivid picture of total annihilation, leaving no trace behind. This imagery emphasizes the enemies' desire for a complete and irreversible victory over David, where he would be entirely absorbed and erased.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound insights for believers facing opposition or malicious intent today:

  • Prayer for Protection: It encourages us to pray for God's intervention and protection when faced with adversaries, asking Him to prevent our enemies from gloating over our struggles or failures.
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: It reminds us that God is sovereign over all circumstances and can thwart the plans of the wicked, even when they seem poised for victory. Our ultimate vindication rests with Him.
  • Warning Against Malice: The verse also serves as a warning against harboring malicious desires or rejoicing in the downfall of others, even those who may oppose us. Scripture elsewhere advises against this (Proverbs 24:17).
  • Spiritual Vigilance: Just as David faced physical enemies, believers face spiritual adversaries who seek to "swallow us up" through discouragement, doubt, or sin. The Apostle Peter warns us that "your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). This verse from Psalms reminds us to pray for God's strength and deliverance against such spiritual attacks.

In essence, Psalms 35:25 is a timeless cry for divine intervention against the glee of the wicked, reinforcing our reliance on God for ultimate deliverance and justice.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.
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