Psalms 35:1-9

1 Lord, battle with those who battle with me. Fight against those who fight against me.

2 Pick up the shield and armor. Rise up and help me.

3 Lift up your spears, both large and small, against those who chase me. Tell me, "I will save you."

4 Make those who want to kill me be ashamed and disgraced. Make those who plan to harm me turn back and run away.

5 Make them like chaff blown by the wind as the angel of the Lord forces them away.

6 Let their road be dark and slippery as the angel of the Lord chases them.

7 For no reason they spread out their net to trap me; for no reason they dug a pit for me.

8 So let ruin strike them suddenly. Let them be caught in their own nets; let them fall into the pit and die.

9 Then I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be happy when he saves me.

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.