Psalm 35:1-8

Of David.

1 Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.

2 Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid.

3 Brandish spear and javelin^[a]against those who pursue me. Say to me, “I am your salvation.”

4 May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.

5 May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away;

6 may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.

7 Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me,

8 may ruin overtake them by surprise— may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.

Psalm 35:1-8 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.

Cross References

• 1. S 1 Samuel 24:15
• 2. S Exodus 14:14; Psalms 43:1
• 3. Psalms 3:3
• 4. Psalms 3:7; Psalms 62:2
• 5. S Genesis 50:24; S Job 17:3
• 6. S Numbers 25:7
• 7. S Joshua 8:18
• 8. Psalms 27:1
• 9. Psalms 38:12; Psalms 40:14; Jeremiah 4:30
• 10. Psalms 69:6,19; Psalms 70:2; Psalms 83:17; Isaiah 45:16; Malachi 2:9
• 11. Psalms 25:3
• 12. Psalms 129:5
• 13. Job 21:18; S Job 13:25; Psalms 1:4; Isaiah 29:5
• 14. Psalms 34:7
• 15. S Job 18:8
• 16. S Psalms 7:4
• 17. S Job 9:31; S Psalms 7:15; S Psalms 55:23
• 18. Isaiah 47:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:3
• 19. S Psalms 7:15; Psalms 9:15

Footnotes

• [a] Or "and block the way"