1
From David.
Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me!
2
Take hold of shield and buckler, and rise up to help me,
3
draw out spear and battle-axe against those who pursue me; say to my soul, “I am your salvation!”
4
Let those who seek my life be put to shame and brought to dishonor; let those who devise my hurt be turned back and confounded!
5
Let them be like chaff before the wind, driven by the angel of the LORD;
6
let their way be dark and slippery, and let the angel of the LORD pursue them!
7
For without cause they hid a net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life.
8
Let ruin come upon him unexpectedly; let the net that he hid catch him himself; let him fall and be destroyed!
9
But I will rejoice in the LORD; I will be glad in his salvation;
10
all my bones shall say, “O LORD, who is like you, who delivers the poor from one stronger than he, the poor and needy from the one who robs him?”
11
Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things I do not know.
12
They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft.
13
But as for me, when they were sick, I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting, and my prayer returned to my own bosom,
14
as though it were my friend or my brother; I bowed down in sackcloth, as one who laments for his mother.
15
But when I stumbled and fell, they rejoiced and gathered together; they gathered against me; strangers whom I did not know slandered me without ceasing;
16
like profane mockers at a feast, they gnashed their teeth at me.
17
How long, O LORD, will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, my life from the young lions!
18
I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among a mighty people I will praise you.
19
Let not those who are my enemies without cause rejoice over me, nor those who hate me without reason wink the eye.
20
For they do not speak peace, but against the quiet ones in the land they devise deceit,
21
they open their mouths wide against me and say, “Aha, aha, our eyes have seen it!”
22
You have seen it, O LORD; do not keep silent, O Lord, do not be far from me!
23
Awake and rise up to defend my cause, to plead my case, O my God and my Lord!
24
Judge me according to your righteousness, O LORD my God, so that they may not rejoice over me!
25
Let them not say in their hearts, “Aha, that is what we wanted!” And let them not say, “We have swallowed him up!”
26
Let them be put to shame and brought low together, those who rejoice at my misfortune; let them be clothed with shame and disgrace, those who exalt themselves against me!
27
Let those who desire to see me vindicated shout for joy and be glad! Let them always say, “The LORD is great, who delights in the well-being of his servant!”
28
And my tongue shall speak of your righteousness, praising you all day long.
🕊️🙏📖 Summary of Psalm 35 – “A Prayer for Defense against Deceitful Enemies”
Psalm 35 is David’s cry to the Lord as defender and judge over the injustice he has suffered. He is attacked by enemies without cause, repaid with evil for good, and betrayed by those who should have been at peace with him.
This psalm portrays the struggle between love for one’s neighbor and the desire for God’s justice to be upheld, as well as the confidence that the Lord will help and vindicate the righteous.
📌 1. A Plea for God to Defend (verses 1–3)
➡️ “Fight against those who fight against me…”
➡️ David asks the Lord to act as his protector and deliverer.
🎯 When slandered and treated unjustly, the Lord is the chief judge and defender.
📌 2. Enemies Attack without Cause (verses 4–8)
➡️ David asks that those who plot evil against him fall into their own traps.
➡️ He is attacked not because of wrongdoing, but because of blind hatred.
🎯 Injustice often comes from the evil intent of others, not from our own fault.
📌 3. A Cry for Justice (verses 9–10)
➡️ David believes God defends the oppressed and the poor.
➡️ He wants to praise God for his justice and salvation.
🎯 The Lord never turns a blind eye to the injustice that comes upon his people.
📌 4. Wounds from Betrayal (verses 11–16)
➡️ David was attacked by those for whom he had once prayed when they were sick.
➡️ When they were sick, he humbled himself and mourned — yet when he fell, they mocked him.
🎯 The deepest wounds often come from the betrayal of those we once helped.
📌 5. A Prayer for God to Act and for His Name to Be Praised (verses 17–28)
➡️ David asks that the Lord not remain silent and allow the enemy to prevail.
➡️ He longs to see justice established so that the name of the Lord may be glorified.
➡️ The closing words: “Let those who delight in my vindication shout for joy…”
🎯 When God’s justice is established, His people will rejoice and glorify Him.
📖 Main Teaching
- The Lord is a defender for those who cannot defend themselves
- Injustice often appears without logical reason — but God remains just
- Prayer is the place to pour out the pain of betrayal and slander
- Entrusting vengeance to God is an expression of faith
- The Lord will vindicate and establish justice for the righteous in His time
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 Romans 12:19
“Do not avenge yourselves… Vengeance is Mine, says the Lord.”
➡️ David cries out for vengeance, yet still entrusts it to God.
📖 Matthew 5:44
“Love your enemies and pray for those…”
➡️ Psalm 35 reflects the emotional struggle that is brought to completion in Christ’s teaching.
📖 1 Peter 2:23
“When He was reviled, He did not revile in return… He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.”
➡️ Christ is the highest example of prayer in unjust suffering.
📖 Luke 23:34
“Jesus said: Father, forgive them…”
➡️ David reflects a plea for vindication, but Christ brings forgiveness.
🕊️ “Contend with those who contend with me.” – Psalm 35:1
🕊️ “I grieved as for a friend… but when I stumbled, they rejoiced.” – Psalm 35:13–15
🕊️ “You have seen it, O LORD; do not be silent.” – Psalm 35:22
🕊️ “Let those who delight in my vindication shout for joy.” – Psalm 35:27
