1 [A Psalm] of David. 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.
Overview of Psalm 35
Psalm 35 is a poignant plea for divine intervention and justice, attributed to David. This chapter is a lamentation that expresses the anguish of the psalmist as he faces adversaries and seeks God’s protection and vindication. It encapsulates themes of righteousness, the struggle against injustice, and a deep reliance on God for deliverance.
Structure and Content
The chapter can be divided into several key sections that highlight the progression of thought and emotion throughout the text:
- Invocation for Help (Verses 1-3)
- David calls upon God to contend with those who contend against him.
- He asks for divine protection and assistance, using military imagery to depict the urgency of his plea.
- There is a strong emphasis on the need for God to be his shield and spear.
- Accusation of Enemies (Verses 4-8)
- David expresses a desire for his enemies to be put to shame and confusion.
- He describes their malicious intentions and plots against him.
- The psalmist invokes a sense of justice, hoping that the traps set by his enemies will ensnare them instead.
- Call for Joy and Praise (Verses 9-10)
- David anticipates his vindication and expresses joy in the Lord’s deliverance.
- He emphasizes the greatness of God and His righteousness, proclaiming His praise.
- Description of Injustice (Verses 11-16)
- David recounts the betrayal of false witnesses who rise against him.
- He reflects on the pain of being wronged by those he has helped.
- The imagery of mourning and fasting is used to illustrate his sorrow over their actions.
- Appeal for Justice (Verses 17-21)
- David pleads for God to see his affliction and to rescue him from the hands of his enemies.
- He expresses a sense of urgency, asking how long God will allow his suffering to continue.
- There is a focus on the mocking and gloating of his adversaries, which adds to his distress.
- Declaration of Faith (Verses 22-26)
- David acknowledges God’s awareness of his plight and reaffirms his trust in divine justice.
- He requests that God not remain silent, reinforcing the relationship of reliance on God.
- There is a call for God to bring shame upon those who unjustly persecute him.
- Conclusion and Praise (Verses 27-28)
- David concludes with a declaration of joy and praise for God’s righteousness.
- He expresses a commitment to continually speak of God’s greatness and justice.
Thematic Analysis
Psalm 35 encapsulates several key themes that resonate throughout the text:
- Divine Justice: The psalmist’s longing for justice reflects a deep-seated belief in God’s ultimate authority and righteousness.
- Human Suffering: David’s emotional turmoil illustrates the pain of betrayal and the experience of injustice, which is a universal human experience.
- Faith and Trust: Despite the adversities faced, the psalmist’s unwavering faith in God’s deliverance serves as a powerful reminder of reliance on divine intervention.
- Community and Betrayal: The psalm highlights the complexities of relationships, emphasizing how betrayal can come from those closest to us, deepening the emotional impact of the psalm.
Conclusion
Psalm 35 serves as a profound expression of the struggle against injustice and the quest for vindication through divine intervention. The themes of faith, justice, and the emotional weight of betrayal resonate deeply, making this psalm a powerful reflection on the human condition and the nature of God’s justice.
