Psalms 35:1-6

A Prayer for Rescue from Enemies

1

Of David.

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}.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of Yahweh pursuing them.

Psalms 35:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 35

\\<<[A Psalm] of David>>\\. This psalm seems to have been written by David, when he was persecuted by Saul; and when many false charges were brought against him by his courtiers; and when he was the scorn and derision of the people; the subject of it is pretty much of the same kind with the seventh psalm, and might be written about the same time that was, and on the same occasion; and it may be applied to the church and people of God in like cases. There is a passage in it, Ps 35:19, which our Lord seems to refer to and apply to himself, Joh 15:25; and some interpret the whole of it concerning him. The Arabic version calls it a prophecy of the incarnation; though there does not appear any thing in it applicable to that.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm
  • [b]. Literally "pushing"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.