Psalm 35:1

A Prayer for Rescue from Enemies

Of David.

1 Contend, O Yahweh, with my contenders; fight [those who] fight me.

Psalm 35:1 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 35:1

Plead [my cause], O Lord, with them that strive with me
Meaning Saul and his courtiers; concerning whom he elsewhere desires that the Lord would judge between them, plead his cause, and deliver him; as he accordingly did, and maintained it, and the righteousness of it, ( 1 Samuel 24:12-15 ) ( Psalms 9:4 ) . So Christ pleaded not his own cause as man, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously; and his people leave their cause with him, who is their advocate, and is able to plead it thoroughly; and does plead it against wicked and ungodly men, who unrighteously charge them; against. Satan the accuser of the brethren, who stands at their right hand to resist them; and against their own hearts, and the sins of them, which lust and war against them, and condemn them;

fight against them that fight against me:
so the Lord is sometimes represented as a man of war, and Christ as a warrior fighting for the saints; and safe are they on whose side he is; but miserable all such who are found fighters against him and his; for none ever opposed him and prospered.

Psalm 35:1 In-Context

1 Contend, O Yahweh, with my contenders; fight [those who] fight me.

2 Grasp buckler and shield and rise to my aid.

3 And draw [the] spear and javelin to meet [those who] pursue me. Say to my soul, "I [am] your salvation."

4 Let those who seek my life be shamed and humiliated. Let those who plot calamity against me be repulsed and ashamed.

5 Let them be like chaff before [the] wind, with the angel of Yahweh {driving them}.

Footnotes

• [a] The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm