Psalms 35:20-28

20 They don’t talk of peace; they plot against innocent people who mind their own business.

21 They shout, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we saw him do it!”

22 O LORD, you know all about this. Do not stay silent. Do not abandon me now, O Lord.

23 Wake up! Rise to my defense! Take up my case, my God and my Lord.

24 Declare me not guilty, O LORD my God, for you give justice. Don’t let my enemies laugh about me in my troubles.

25 Don’t let them say, “Look, we got what we wanted! Now we will eat him alive!”

26 May those who rejoice at my troubles be humiliated and disgraced. May those who triumph over me be covered with shame and dishonor.

27 But give great joy to those who came to my defense. Let them continually say, “Great is the LORD, who delights in blessing his servant with peace!”

28 Then I will proclaim your justice, and I will praise you all day long.

Psalms 35:20-28 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.