1 Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.
2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.
3 Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
5 Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.
7 For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.
8 Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.
9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
10 All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?
11 False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.
12 They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.
13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
14 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
15 But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:
16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
17 Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
20 For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.
21 Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.
22 This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.
23 Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
25 Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
26 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.
27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
Psalm 35 is a psalm of lament and supplication, attributed to King David. This psalm is a prayer for deliverance from enemies, a call for divine intervention, and a plea for justice. It is divided into three main parts, each ending with a vow of thanksgiving.
The psalm opens with a plea to God to contend with those who contend with David, to fight against those who fight against him. The poet uses military imagery to depict God as a warrior, ready to defend his servant. He prays for God's intervention, asking Him to draw the spear and javelin against his pursuers, and to say to his soul, "I am your salvation."
The first theme that emerges in Psalm 35 is the cry for justice. David, feeling besieged by enemies who seek his harm without cause, calls upon God to intervene. He asks God to take up arms on his behalf, using vivid imagery of shields, spears, and angels of the Lord pursuing his enemies. He is not merely asking for protection, but for God's righteous judgment against those who wrong him.
David's plea for justice is not rooted in personal vengeance, but in a desire for God's righteousness to be upheld. He emphasizes the innocence of his cause, stating that his enemies repay him evil for good, and bereave his soul. He contrasts his own actions towards them when they were ill, with how they are treating him now. He uses the image of sackcloth, a symbol of mourning, to illustrate his sorrow for them when they were in distress.
The second theme is the call for divine intervention. David recognizes his inability to combat his enemies on his own and hence, he calls upon God to intervene. His plea is urgent and desperate, reflecting his dire situation. He implores God to not remain silent or far off, but to awaken and rise for his judgment.
David's plea is not just for personal deliverance but also for the vindication of God's name. He asks that those who rejoice at his hurt be put to shame and dishonor, while those who favor his righteous cause rejoice and be glad. His concern is not only for his personal vindication but also for the honor of God, whose cause he represents.
The third theme is the vow of thanksgiving. Despite his current distress, David expresses confidence in God's deliverance. He vows to thank God in the great assembly, and to praise Him among many people. This reflects his deep faith in God's justice and his assurance that God will deliver him from his enemies.
David's vow of thanksgiving also serves as a testimony to God's faithfulness. By promising to publicly thank and praise God, he seeks to honor God and to encourage others to trust in Him. This shows that his faith is not just personal, but also communal, aimed at edifying others and bringing glory to God.
In conclusion, Psalm 35 is a heartfelt plea for divine intervention and justice, interwoven with a vow of thanksgiving. It reflects the raw emotions of a man in distress, yet also his unwavering faith in God's deliverance. It shows us that in times of trouble, we can cry out to God for help, trusting in His justice and righteousness.
The psalm also reminds us of the importance of public testimony. David's vow to praise God in the great assembly serves as a powerful witness to God's faithfulness, encouraging others to put their trust in Him. Thus, Psalm 35 is not just a prayer for personal deliverance, but also a proclamation of God's righteousness and faithfulness.
Furthermore, the psalm underscores the reality of injustice and the human need for divine intervention. It affirms that God hears the cries of the oppressed and is committed to upholding justice. It also teaches us that in the face of injustice, we should not resort to vengeance, but should instead entrust ourselves to God, who judges justly.
Thus, Psalm 35 is a powerful testament to the justice, righteousness, and faithfulness of God. It invites us to trust in God in times of trouble, to cry out to Him for help, and to publicly praise Him for His deliverance. It is a reminder that no matter what we face, we can have confidence in God's justice, and that He will ultimately vindicate His righteous cause.
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