Psalms 35:1-10

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.

10 All my bones will say, "O LORD, who can compare with you? You rescue the weak person from the one who is too strong for him and weak and needy people from the one who robs them."

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.