Psalms 35:1-10

1 Strive thou, O Jehovah, with them that strive with me: Fight thou against them that fight against me.

2 Take hold of shield and buckler, And stand up for my help.

3 Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that pursue me: Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

4 Let them be put to shame and brought to dishonor that seek after my soul: Let them be turned back and confounded that devise my hurt.

5 Let them be as chaff before the wind, And the angel of Jehovah driving [them] on.

6 Let their way be dark and slippery, And the angel of Jehovah pursuing them.

7 For without cause have they hid for me their net [in] a pit; Without cause have they digged [a pit] for my soul.

8 Let destruction come upon him unawares; And let his net that he hath hid catch himself: With destruction let him fall therein.

9 And my soul shall be joyful in Jehovah: It shall rejoice in his salvation.

10 All my bones shall say, Jehovah, who is like unto thee, Who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, Yea, the poor and the needy from him that robbeth him?

Psalms 35:1-10 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.