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Psalms 35 God's Kingdom and Glory

1 Psalm 35
Of David.
Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.

2 Take up shield and buckler;
arise and come to my aid.

3 Brandish spear and javelin
against those who pursue me.
Say to my soul,
“I am your salvation.”

4 May those who seek my life
be disgraced and put to shame;
may those who plot my ruin
be turned back in dismay.

5 May they be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the Lord driving them away;

6 may their path be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.

7 Since they hid their net for me without cause
and without cause dug a pit for me,

8 may ruin overtake them by surprise—
may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.

9 Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord
and delight in his salvation.

10 My whole being will exclaim,
“Who is like you, O Lord?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them.”

11 Ruthless witnesses come forward;
they question me on things I know nothing about.

12 They repay me evil for good
and leave my soul forlorn.

13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth
and humbled myself with fasting.
When my prayers returned to me unanswered,

14 I went about mourning
as though for my friend or brother.
I bowed my head in grief
as though weeping for my mother.

15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;
attackers gathered against me when I was unaware.
They slandered me without ceasing.

16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;
they gnashed their teeth at me.

17 O Lord, how long will you look on?
Rescue my life from their ravages,
my precious life from these lions.

18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among throngs of people I will praise you.

19 Let not those gloat over me
who are my enemies without cause;
let not those who hate me without reason
maliciously wink the eye.

20 They do not speak peaceably,
but devise false accusations
against those who live quietly in the land.

21 They gape at me and say, “Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we have seen it.”

22 O Lord, you have seen this; be not silent.
Do not be far from me, O Lord.

23 Awake, and rise to my defense!
Contend for me, my God and Lord.

24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, O Lord my God;
do not let them gloat over me.

25 Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!”
or say, “We have swallowed him up.”

26 May all who gloat over my distress
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who exalt themselves over me
be clothed with shame and disgrace.

27 May those who delight in my vindication
shout for joy and gladness;
may they always say, “The Lord be exalted,
who delights in the well-being of his servant.”

28 My tongue will speak of your righteousness
and of your praises all day long.

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Analysis of Psalms Chapter 35

The thirty-fifth chapter of the book of Psalms is a powerful and emotive supplication to God in the face of unjust persecution and adversity. This chapter is often categorized as an “Imprecatory Psalm,” where the psalmist is fervently calling upon God to deliver him from his enemies and to bring justice against those who seek his harm. Let’s delve deeply into each verse of this Psalm, seeking to uncover its rich layers of meaning and its spiritual, emotional, and theological significance.

Verses 1-3: A Plea for Divine Intervention

“Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, ‘I am your salvation.’“

In these opening verses, the psalmist begins with a plea for God’s intervention. The metaphor of a battle is vividly brought to life, as the psalmist implores the LORD to “contend” and “fight” against his adversaries. The imagery of God taking up shield and armor indicates a request for divine protection and strength in the face of overwhelming odds.

The use of military imagery—shield, armor, spear, and javelin—invokes the expectation that God, as a divine warrior, will defend the psalmist against his enemies. It emphasizes the total dependence of the psalmist on God’s intervention for his deliverance. This profound trust concludes with a plea for reassurance: “Say to me, ‘I am your salvation.’” This is an intimate request for comfort and affirmation of God’s protecting presence.

Verses 4-8: Petition for the Defeat of Enemies

May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away; may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them. Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, may ruin overtake them by surprise—may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.”

Here, the psalmist shifts to a series of petitions for the downfall of his enemies. The tone is imprecatory, beseeching God to bring shame and defeat upon those who seek his life. The metaphor of enemies being like “chaff before the wind” suggests their ultimate insignificance and disposability before the power of God.

The imagery of “the angel of the LORD” driving and pursuing the enemies on a “dark and slippery” path underscores the divine judgment and chaos that awaits those who wickedly plot against the psalmist. The concept of the enemies being ensnared by their own traps (“net” and “pit”) highlights a recurring theme in biblical literature—the poetic justice where the wicked are caught in their own malicious schemes.

Verses 9-10: Expression of Confidence in God’s Deliverance

Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation. My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, LORD? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.”

These verses offer a glimpse of the psalmist’s anticipated joy and praise in response to God’s deliverance. This expression reflects a transition from petition to proclamation of faith. The psalmist anticipates a time when his soul will “rejoice in the LORD” and delight in His salvation.

“Who is like you, LORD?” is a rhetorical question that highlights the uniqueness and unparalleled nature of God’s saving power. By characterizing God as one who rescues the ‘poor and needy’ from those stronger than them, the psalmist underscores God’s justice and compassion for the oppressed.

Verses 11-16: The Treachery of False Witnesses

Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about. They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved. Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother. But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; assailants gathered against me without my knowledge. They slandered me without ceasing. Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me.”

In these verses, the psalmist describes the treachery and betrayal of his enemies. The ruthless witnesses bring false accusations and repay the psalmist’s goodwill with evil, leaving him in a state of deep emotional turmoil, “like one bereaved.” This highlights the emotional depth of the psalmist’s plight and the injustice he faces.

The contrast between the psalmist’s compassion toward his enemies when they were in need, and their ruthless betrayal, underscores their treachery. The psalmist’s own actions—praying, fasting, mourning as for a friend or family member—serve as a sharp contrast to the malicious delight his enemies take in his suffering. This stark juxtaposition further emphasizes the psalmist’s plea for divine justice.

Verses 17-18: Renewed Plea for Deliverance

How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you.”

Here, the psalmist renews his plea for God’s deliverance, expressing a sense of urgency with “How long, Lord, will you look on?” This question captures a moment of deep anguish and impatience for divine intervention.

The metaphor of his enemies being like “lions” portrays the imminent danger and ferocity of the threat. Yet, amidst this desperate plea, the psalmist vows public thanksgiving and praise for God’s deliverance, demonstrating a continued faith and hope in God’s eventual intervention.

Verses 19-21: The Actions of the Enemies

Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye. They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land. They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it.”

In these verses, the psalmist articulates the actions and attitudes of his enemies. The phrases “without cause” and “without reason” highlight the unprovoked nature of their hatred and malice. The malicious “wink of the eye” indicates a deceitful and conspiratorial attitude.

By portraying the enemies as devising false accusations and stirring up strife against “those who live quietly in the land,” the psalmist portrays them as agitators against peace and integrity. Their mocking exclamations, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it,” further underscore their deceit and delight in the psalmist’s suffering.

Verses 22-26: A Prayer for Vindication

LORD, you have seen this; do not be silent. Do not be far from me, Lord. Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord. Vindicate me in your righteousness, LORD my God; do not let them gloat over me. Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!” or say, “We have swallowed him up.” May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace.

In these verses, the psalmist directs his plea specifically towards God’s vindication. The repeated call for God not to be silent or far, to “awake” and rise to his defense, underscores the urgency and desperation in the psalmist’s prayer.

By asking God to “vindicate me in your righteousness,” the psalmist is appealing to God’s just nature. The repeated plea against the enemies gloating over his distress emphasizes the fear of not only suffering but also the public dishonor caused by his enemies’ triumph.

The desire for his enemies to be “clothed with shame and disgrace” is a wish for their ultimate humiliation—a reversal of the shame they seek to impose on the psalmist. This forms a key aspect of the justice the psalmist seeks from God.

Verses 27-28: A Promise of Praise

May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.” My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.

The chapter concludes with a forward-looking promise of community praise upon the psalmist’s vindication. The psalmist anticipates a time when those who support him will “shout for joy and gladness,” attributing this victory to God’s intervention.

The refrain “The LORD be exalted” pivots the focus from the individual victory to the glory and righteousness of God, who “delights in the well-being of his servant.” The final verse encapsulates a lifetime commitment to proclaiming God’s righteousness and praise—“all day long”—emphasizing the continual and everlasting gratitude for God’s intervention and justice.

Conclusion: Theological and Emotional Significance

Psalms Chapter 35 is not just a lament but a profound expression of faith amidst adversity. It combines passionate pleas for divine intervention and justice with an unshakeable confidence in God’s eventual deliverance and righteousness. The psalmist’s vivid descriptions of the enemy’s deceit and his own suffering are balanced by his appeals to God’s just nature and his vows of lifelong praise.

This chapter’s theological significance is manifold; it upholds the belief in God’s ultimate justice and the vindication of the righteous. The emotional depth of the chapter also resonates deeply, capturing the intensity of human suffering and the yearning for divine rescue. The psalm thus serves both as a personal lament and a communal affirmation of faith in God’s righteousness and protective power.