Psalms 35:1-11

1 A Psalm of David. Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me; Fight against those who fight against me.

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

3 Also draw out the spear, And stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation."

4 Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor Who seek after my life; Let those be turned back and brought to confusion Who plot my hurt.

5 Let them be like chaff before the wind, And let the angel of the Lord chase them.

6 Let their way be dark and slippery, And let the angel of the Lord pursue them.

7 For without cause they have hidden their net for me in a pit, Which they have dug without cause for my life.

8 Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly, And let his net that he has hidden catch himself; Into that very destruction let him fall.

9 And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation.

10 All my bones shall say, "Lord, who is like You, Delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, Yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?"

11 Fierce witnesses rise up; They ask me things that I do not know.

Psalms 35:1-11 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or Angel