Psalms 35:2-12

2 (34-2) Take hold of arms and shield: and rise up to help me.

3 (34-3) Bring out the sword, and shut up the way against them that persecute me: say to my soul: I am thy salvation.

4 (34-4) Let them be confounded and ashamed that seek after my soul. Let them be turned back and be confounded that devise evil against me.

5 (34-5) Let them become as dust before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord straiten them.

6 (34-6) Let their way become dark and slippery; and let the angel of the Lord pursue them.

7 (34-7) For without cause they have hidden their net for me unto destruction: without cause they have upbraided my soul.

8 (34-8) Let the snare which he knoweth not come upon him: and let the net which he hath hidden catch him: and into that very snare let them fall.

9 (34-9) But my soul shall rejoice in the Lord; and shall be delighted in his salvation.

10 (34-10) All my bones shall say: Lord, who is like to thee? Who deliverest the poor from the hand of them that are stronger than he; the needy and the poor from them that strip him.

11 (34-11) Unjust witnesses rising up have asked me things I knew not.

12 (34-12) They repaid me evil for good: to the depriving me of my soul.

Psalms 35:2-12 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.