Psalm 35

35:1
By David. O Lord, fight those who fight with me. Attack those who attack me.
2
Grab your small shield and large shield, and rise up to help me.
3
Use your spear and lance against those who chase me. Assure me with these
words: “I am your deliverer.”
4
May those who seek my life be embarrassed and humiliated. May those who
plan to harm me be turned back and ashamed.
5
May they be like wind-driven chaff, as the angel of the Lord attacks them.
6
May their path be dark and slippery, as the angel of the Lord chases them.
7
I did not harm them, but they hid a net to catch me and dug a pit to trap
me.
8
Let destruction take them by surprise. Let the net they hid catch them. Let
them fall into destruction.
9
Then I will rejoice in the Lord and be happy because of his deliverance.
10
With all my strength I will say, “O Lord, who can compare to you? You
rescue the oppressed from those who try to overpower them, the oppressed
and needy from those who try to rob them.”
11
Violent men perjure themselves, and falsely accuse me.
12
They repay me evil for the good I have done; I am overwhelmed with sorrow.
13
When they were sick, I wore sackcloth, and refrained from eating food. (If
I am lying, may my prayers go unanswered.)
14
I mourned for them as I would for a friend or my brother. I bowed down in
sorrow as if I were mourning for my mother.
15
But when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together; they gathered
together to ambush me. They tore at me without stopping to rest.
16
When I tripped, they taunted me relentlessly, and tried to bite me.
17
O Lord, how long are you going to watch this? Rescue me from their
destructive attacks; guard my life from the young lions.
18
Then I will give you thanks in the great assembly; I will praise you
before a large crowd of people.
19
Do not let those who are my enemies for no reason gloat over me. Do not let
those who hate me without cause carry out their wicked schemes.
20
For they do not try to make peace with others, but plan ways to deceive
those who live peacefully in the land.
21
They are ready to devour me; they say, “Aha! Aha! We’ve got you!”
22
But you take notice, Lord; do not be silent! O Lord, do not remain far away
from me.
23
Rouse yourself, wake up and vindicate me. My God and Lord, defend my just
cause.
24
Vindicate me by your justice, O Lord my God. Do not let them gloat over me.
25
Do not let them say to themselves, “Aha! We have what we wanted!” Do not
let them say, “We have devoured him.”
26
May those who rejoice in my troubles be totally embarrassed and ashamed.
May those who arrogantly taunt me be covered with shame and humiliation.
27
May those who desire my vindication shout for joy and rejoice. May they
continually say, “May the Lord be praised, for he wants his servant to be
secure.”
28
Then I will tell others about your justice, and praise you all day long.

One thought:

All of God’s people suffer oppression from a sinful world, it just takes different forms

Three questions:

Who might be the enemies of the Psalmist?

Do you feel oppressed?

Call out to God today to help you stand firm against the temptations of the world

Prayer:

Praise God that He does rescue His people through Jesus Christ who has conquered the world. Give thanks that Jesus is stronger than any authority, power or stronghold and that He has overcome even the evil one. Ask God to help you + others seek Him and cry out to Him in all your struggles.

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