Psalms 35:1-8

1 A Psalm of David. Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me!

2 Take hold of shield and buckler, and rise for my help!

3 Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, "I am your deliverance!"

4 Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life! Let them be turned back and confounded who devise evil against me!

5 Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them on!

6 Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them!

7 For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life.

8 Let ruin come upon them unawares! And let the net which they hid ensnare them; let them fall therein to ruin!

Psalms 35:1-8 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.