35:1ffThis is one of the “imprecatory” (cursing) psalms that call upon God to dea! with enemies. These psalms sound extremely harsh, but we must remember the following: (1) David could not understand why he was forced to flee from men who were unjustly seeking to kill him. He was God's anointed king over a nation called to annihilate the evil people of the land. (2) David’s call for justice was sincere; it was not a cover for his own personal vengeance. He truly wanted God's perfect ideal for his nation. (3) David did not say that Ae would take revenge, but he gave the matter to God. These are merely his suggestions. (4) These psalms use hyperbole (or overstatement). They were meant to motivate others to take a strong stand against sin and evil.
Life Application Study BiblePsalmsChapter 35
Psalm 35
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 879, 880
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
1A psalm of David.O Lor, oppose those who oppose me.Fight those who fight against me.
2Put on your armor, and take up your shield.Prepare for battle, and come to my aid.
3Lift up your spear and javelinagainst those who pursue me.Let me hear you say,“I will give you victory!”
4Bring shame and disgrace on those trying to kill me;turn them back and humiliate those who want to harm me.
5Blow them away like chaff in the wind—a wind sent by the angel of the LORD.
6Make their path dark and slippery,with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7[did them no wrong, but they laid a trap for me.I did them no wrong, but they dug a pit to catch me.
8So let sudden ruin come upon them!Let them be caught in the trap they set for me!Let them be destroyed in the pit they dug for me.8 Then I will rejoice in the LORD.i will be glad because he rescues me.
10With every bone in my body I will praise him:“LORD, who can compare with you?Who else rescues the helpless from the strong?Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?”
11Malicious witnesses testify against me.They accuse me of crimes I know nothing about.
12They repay me evil for good.I am sick with despair.
13Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them.I denied myself by fasting for them,but my prayers returned unanswered.
14T was sad, as though they were my friends or family,as if I were grieving for my own mother.
15But they are glad now that I am in trouble;they gleefully join together against me.I am attacked by people I don’t even know;they slander me constantly.
16They mock me and call me names;they snarl at me.
17How long, O LORD, will you look on and do nothing?Rescue me from their fierce attacks.Protect my life from these lions!
18Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly.I will praise you before all the people.18 Don’t let my treacherous enemies rejoice over my defeat.Don't let those who hate me without cause gloat over my sorrow.
20They don't talk of peace;they plot against innocent people who mind their own business.
21They shout, “Aha! Aha!With our own eyes we saw him do ita
22O LORD, you know all about this.Do not stay silent.Do not abandon me now, O LORD.
23Wake up! Rise to my defense!Take up my case, my God and my LORD.
24Declare me not guilty, O LORD my God, for you give justice.Don’t let my enemies laugh about me in my troubles.
25Don't let them say, “Look, we got what we wanted!Now we will eat him alive!”
26May those who rejoice at my troublesbe humiliated and disgraced.May those who triumph over mebe covered with shame and dishonor.
27But give great joy to those who came to my defense.Let them continually say, “Great is the LORD,who delights in blessing his servant with peace!”
28Then I will proclaim your justice, and I will praise you all day long. Theme: God's faithfulness, justice, and love are contrasted with the sinful hearts of men and women. In spite of our fallen condition, God pours out his love on those who know him.
Life Application Notes 3 notes
35:1ff). It is a cry for justice so intense that it seems, at first glance, to be a call for revenge.
35:21-23David cried out to God to defend him when people wrongly accused him. If you are unjustly accused, your natural reaction may be to lash out in revenge or to give a detailed defense of your every move. Instead, ask God to fight the battle for you. He will clear your name in the eyes of those who really matter.
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This knowledge should hold us back from sinning. Let the fear of God do its work in you to keep you from sin. In your gratitude for God's love and mercy, don’t ignore his justice. 36:5-8 In contrast to evil people and their wicked plots that end in failure, God will triumph. He is faithful, righteous, and just. His love is as vast as the heavens; his faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds; his righteousness is as solid as mighty mountains; his judgments are as full of wisdom as the oceans are with water. We need not fear evil people because we know God loves us, judges evil, and will care for us throughout eternity.