Psalms 35:17-27

17 Lord, how long will you watch this happen? Save my life from their attacks; save me from these people who are like lions.

18 I will praise you in the great meeting. I will praise you among crowds of people.

19 Do not let my enemies laugh at me; they hate me for no reason. Do not let them make fun of me; they have no cause to hate me.

20 Their words are not friendly but are lies about peace-loving people.

21 They speak against me and say, "Aha! We saw what you did!"

22 Lord, you have been watching. Do not keep quiet. Lord, do not leave me alone.

23 Wake up! Come and defend me! My God and Lord, fight for me!

24 Lord my God, defend me with your justice. Don't let them laugh at me.

25 Don't let them think, "Aha! We got what we wanted!" Don't let them say, "We destroyed him."

26 Let them be ashamed and embarrassed, because they were happy when I hurt. Cover them with shame and disgrace, because they thought they were better than I was.

27 May my friends sing and shout for joy. May they always say, "Praise the greatness of the Lord, who loves to see his servants do well."

Psalms 35:17-27 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.