Psalms 35:6

KJV

Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let their way {H1870} be dark {H2822} and slippery {H2519}: and let the angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068} persecute {H7291} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

May their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of ADONAI to pursue them.

Berean Standard Bible

May their path be dark and slick, as the angel of the LORD pursues.

American Standard Version

Let their way be dark and slippery, And the angel of Jehovah pursuing them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 35:6 is a fervent plea from David, embedded within an imprecatory psalm, where he calls upon God to actively intervene and bring justice against his unjust persecutors. Through vivid imagery, the psalmist requests that his enemies' path become treacherous and disorienting, and that the Angel of the LORD, as a divine agent of judgment, relentlessly pursue and bring about their downfall, thereby vindicating David and demonstrating God's righteous sovereignty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 35 stands as a powerful example of an imprecatory psalm, a genre where the psalmist appeals to God for judgment against his adversaries. David, the author, expresses profound distress over being unjustly attacked and betrayed by those he had shown kindness to (e.g., [Psalm 35:12-14](/psalms/35-12 "Psalm 35:12-14 - David's Lament Over Betrayal")). This particular verse is part of a series of petitions for divine intervention, following requests for God to "take hold of shield and buckler" ([Psalm 35:2](/psalms/35-2 "Psalm 35:2 - God as David's Warrior")) and "draw out the spear" ([Psalm 35:3](/psalms/35-3 "Psalm 35:3 - God as David's Deliverer")). The imprecations serve not as personal vengeance but as a cry for God's righteous justice to be manifested, often culminating in vows of praise upon deliverance, as seen in [Psalm 35:18](/psalms/35-18 "Psalm 35:18 - David's Vow of Praise")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life was frequently marked by unjust persecution, whether from King Saul's relentless pursuit ([1 Samuel 19](/1_samuel/19 "1 Samuel 19 - Saul's Attempts to Kill David")), the rebellion of his son Absalom ([2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion")), or other unnamed adversaries. In ancient Israel, justice was understood as a divine attribute, and appealing to God for intervention against injustice was a common and legitimate form of prayer. The concept of the "Angel of the LORD" (Hebrew: _malak Yahweh_) is deeply rooted in Old Testament theology, often appearing as a divine messenger, a manifestation of God Himself, or an agent of God's will, particularly in acts of judgment or deliverance (e.g., [Exodus 23:20-23](/exodus/23-20 "Exodus 23:20-23 - The Angel of the LORD Guiding Israel") or [2 Kings 19:35](/2_kings/19-35 "2 Kings 19:35 - The Angel of the LORD Strikes the Assyrian Army")). This cultural understanding reinforces the psalmist's expectation of active, supernatural intervention.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, underscoring the conviction that God is the righteous Judge who will ultimately vindicate the innocent and punish the wicked. It also highlights **God's Active Intervention** in human affairs, portraying Him not as a distant observer but as One who dispatches divine agents to execute His purposes. Furthermore, the psalm articulates the theme of **Vulnerability and Reliance on God**, as David, despite his status, acknowledges his complete dependence on God for protection and vindication against powerful and malicious adversaries. This reliance is a recurring motif, emphasizing that true security is found only in the Lord, as expressed in [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **dark (Hebrew, חֹשֶׁךְ _choshek'_):** This word signifies not merely an absence of light but often implies a state of confusion, chaos, moral blindness, or even divine judgment. In the context of a "dark way," it suggests an inability to discern the path, leading to disorientation and inevitable stumbling. It can also carry connotations of the spiritual or moral state of those who reject God's light, as seen in [Proverbs 4:19](/proverbs/4-19 "Proverbs 4:19 - The Way of the Wicked is Like Deep Darkness")).
* **slippery (Hebrew, חֲלַקְלַקּוֹת _ḥalaqlaqqoṯ'_):** Derived from a root meaning "smooth" or "flattering," this word describes a treacherous, unstable, and easily yielding surface. It evokes the image of someone losing their footing, stumbling, and falling. The term can also be associated with deceitful or flattering speech, suggesting the treacherous nature of the enemies themselves, whose paths are as unstable as their character. This imagery is used elsewhere to describe the precarious position of the wicked, as in [Psalm 73:18](/psalms/73-18 "Psalm 73:18 - The Wicked Placed on Slippery Ground")).
* **persecute (Hebrew, רָדַף _radaph'_):** This verb means "to pursue," "to chase," or "to hunt." It implies an active, relentless, and often hostile pursuit. When applied to the "angel of the LORD," it signifies a divine, inescapable pursuit that ensures the enemies cannot escape the consequences of their actions, bringing about their ultimate defeat and ruin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let their way be dark and slippery:"** This clause is an imprecation, a prayer for a specific outcome. The "way" (Hebrew: _derek_) refers to the course of life, the plans, or the direction of the enemies' actions. The request is that their endeavors and existence be plunged into obscurity and instability. "Dark" implies a loss of guidance, confusion, and an inability to see or execute their wicked schemes, while "slippery" suggests that any progress they attempt will be precarious, leading to stumbles and falls. Together, this paints a picture of utter disarray, disorientation, and inevitable failure for those who oppose God and His servant.
* **"and let the angel of the LORD persecute them."** This second clause intensifies the imprecation by invoking a divine agent. The "angel of the LORD" is not merely a passive observer but an active, supernatural force dispatched by God. The verb "persecute" indicates a relentless, inescapable pursuit, ensuring that the enemies are hounded, harassed, and ultimately brought to justice. This signifies God's direct and powerful intervention, using His divine messenger to enforce His judgment and secure the psalmist's vindication. It is a plea for God to actively dismantle the enemies' power and plans.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 35:6 employs several powerful **Literary Devices**. The primary device is **Imprecation**, a direct prayer or curse against adversaries, which is characteristic of this psalm genre. This is not merely a wish but a petition for divine action. The phrase "Let their way be dark and slippery" is a vivid **Metaphor** and **Imagery**, transforming the abstract concept of a life course into a physical path fraught with peril. The "way" itself is almost **Personified** as being inherently treacherous. The combination of "dark" and "slippery" creates a strong sensory image of disorientation and instability, emphasizing the complete loss of control and impending downfall for the enemies. Furthermore, the invocation of the "angel of the LORD" introduces the device of **Divine Agent**, where a supernatural entity is called upon to execute God's will, underscoring the psalmist's belief in God's active, powerful, and righteous intervention in human affairs.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 35:6, like other imprecatory psalms, presents a theological challenge for modern readers, yet it offers profound insights into God's character and the nature of justice. It is crucial to understand these prayers not as expressions of personal vengeance or hatred, but as appeals to God as the ultimate, righteous Judge in a world where injustice often seems to prevail. The psalmist, as a covenant believer, trusts that God sees all wrongs and will ultimately bring about fitting consequences for the wicked, vindicating His own name and His faithful servants. This psalm reflects a deep longing for God's righteousness to be manifested on earth, a desire that aligns with the broader biblical narrative of God's commitment to justice and His ultimate triumph over evil. It reminds us that while we are called to love our enemies, we can also trust God with the burden of justice, knowing that He alone is perfectly equipped to execute it.

* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance and Recompense Belong to God")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is the Lord's")
* [Psalm 109:8](/psalms/109-8 "Psalm 109:8 - Imprecation Against Enemies")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 35:6 calls us to a profound trust in God's justice, even when we are victims of profound injustice. In a world where evil often seems to prosper and the wicked go unpunished, this psalm encourages us to commit our grievances to the Lord rather than seeking personal retribution. It is a reminder that God sees, God knows, and God will act. For believers, this means surrendering our desire for immediate vindication and resting in God's perfect timing and method of justice. It also prompts us to consider the spiritual implications of a "dark and slippery way" – for those who reject God's light, their path is indeed unstable and leads to ruin. We are called to pray for God's righteousness to prevail, not out of malice, but out of a longing for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. This psalm ultimately directs our gaze to God's sovereignty and His active involvement in the world, assuring us that no injustice escapes His notice or His ultimate judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we reconcile the imprecatory nature of this psalm with New Testament commands to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to take justice into our own hands, and how does this psalm redirect us to God's sovereignty and perfect timing?**
* **How does the concept of the "angel of the LORD" actively pursuing the wicked encourage our trust in God's active intervention in our lives and in the world?**

### FAQ

**Are imprecatory psalms expressions of personal hatred or a desire for vengeance?**

Answer: While the language can sound harsh to modern ears, imprecatory psalms like Psalm 35 are not primarily expressions of personal hatred or a desire for private vengeance. Instead, they are fervent prayers offered within a covenant relationship, appealing to God as the righteous Judge of all the earth. The psalmist is not seeking to enact personal revenge but is asking God to uphold His own justice and vindicate His name against those who defy Him and oppress His people. They reflect a deep longing for God's righteousness to prevail and for evil to be restrained, aligning with the biblical principle that "vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is the Lord's")).

**How does the imagery of a "dark and slippery way" relate to the spiritual state of the wicked?**

Answer: The imagery of a "dark and slippery way" powerfully symbolizes the spiritual and moral state of those who oppose God. "Dark" signifies spiritual blindness, confusion, and an inability to discern truth or righteousness. Their plans and actions are shrouded in moral obscurity, leading them astray. "Slippery" represents the inherent instability and precariousness of a life lived apart from God's truth and guidance. Without the firm foundation of God's Word, their path is treacherous, leading to moral and spiritual falls. This imagery suggests that the wicked are ultimately self-defeating; their own choices lead them to a path of disorientation and ruin, especially when divine judgment is at work, as seen in [Proverbs 4:19](/proverbs/4-19 "Proverbs 4:19 - The Way of the Wicked")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalm 35:6 is a prayer for justice against David's earthly enemies, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning are found in Christ. Jesus, the perfect embodiment of righteousness, faced the ultimate unjust persecution, betrayal, and suffering, yet He never retaliated or sought personal vengeance. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly ([1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example in Suffering")). The "dark and slippery way" and the "angel of the LORD persecuting them" find their profound echo in the final judgment of all who oppose God and His Christ. Jesus Himself is the one who will ultimately "cast out the ruler of this world" ([John 12:31](/john/12-31 "John 12:31 - Judgment of This World")), triumphing over spiritual powers and authorities on the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). The Angel of the LORD, often a pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ, foreshadows the Lord Jesus's role as the divine Judge who will return to execute righteous judgment, putting all enemies under His feet ([1 Corinthians 15:25](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25 - Christ's Reign Until All Enemies Are Subdued")). The ultimate "persecution" of evil will occur when Christ returns, and Satan, sin, and death are finally cast into eternal darkness, fulfilling the longing for perfect divine justice embedded in this psalm ([Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - Final Judgment of Satan")).

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

Jeremiah 23:12

Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery [ways] in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, [even] the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

Psalms 73:18

Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

Proverbs 4:19

The way of the wicked [is] as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

Jeremiah 13:16

Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, [and] make [it] gross darkness.