Psalms 35:1-9

1 O LORD, attack those who attack me. Fight against those who fight against me.

2 Use your shields, [both] small and large. Arise to help me.

3 Hold your spear to block the way of those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your savior."

4 Let those who seek my life be put to shame and disgraced. Let those who plan my downfall be turned back in confusion.

5 Let them be like husks blown by the wind as the Messenger of the LORD chases them.

6 Let their path be dark and slippery as the Messenger of the LORD pursues them.

7 For no reason they hid their net in a pit. For no reason they dug the pit [to trap me].

8 Let destruction surprise them. Let the net that they hid catch them. Let them fall into their own pit and be destroyed.

9 My soul will find joy in the LORD and be joyful about his salvation.

Psalms 35:1-9 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.