Psalms 35:1-11

1 <> Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me; fight against them that fight against me.

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

3 Draw out also the spear, and block the way against them that persecute me. Say unto my soul, "I am thy salvation."

4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul; let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.

5 Let them be as 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 persecute them.

7 For without cause they have hid their net for me in a pit, which without cause they have dug for my soul.

8 Let destruction come upon him unawares; and let the net which he hath hidden catch himself; into that very destruction let him fall.

9 Then my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; it shall rejoice in His salvation.

10 All my bones shall say, "LORD, who is like unto Thee, who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and needy from him that would plunder him?"

11 False witnesses rose up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.

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.