Psalm 35

This is a Psalm that arises out of a very difficult time in David’s life.  Many relate it to the time he was running from Saul before he became king.  It can be seen to fit that time but in my way of thinking it fits quite well in the time of David’s life in later years when God had forgiven him of great sin and was yet suffering the consequences at the hands of those who were not so forgiving.  To be sure the historical context is not important.  In truth, whatever time of difficulty David experienced in his life, this Psalm would surely fit.

Like many of the Psalms, there is in the Hebrew a natural outline involving repeated themes.  Without going into a detailed organization, note how David expresses his complaint and prayer and then follows it with a commitment to joyful praise.

Ø Stanza 1: v1-10

§  Complaint and prayer, v1-8

§  Commitment to praise, v9-10

Ø Stanza 2: v11-18

§  Complaint and prayer, v11-16

§  Commitment to praise, v17-18

Ø Stanza 3: v19-28

§  Complaint and prayer, v19-26

§  Commitment to praise, v27-28

In the opening stanza God’s man begins by pleading in terms of warfare, that God will both defend or stand for him and go on the offense to stop those who pursue him.  But note the request at the end of v3: “Say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation.’”  One of the critical things for believers is that we speak the truth to ourselves.  To do that we need God to speak truth to us first.  If we know that God is for us then we can be at peace, even before the battle itself is settled.  We have such promises.  For example, Romans 8:28-30 (not just v28 but the entire context) gives assurance that God will bring us through our afflictions to a good purpose and conclusion.  Phil. 1:6 reminds us that He who began the good work within us will complete it until the day of Christ!  It is not simply a matter of knowing Scripture.  We need God, by His Spirit, to speak to our souls.  What our renewed minds see in Scripture must become heart-truth.

In vs. 4-6 note the different ways the Psalmist speaks of “failure”.  He prays that God will let those who attack him without cause …

·        Be put to shame (to be disappointed in their plans).

·        Be turned back (as an army is forced to retreat).

·        Be like chaff before the wind (so their plans will not stand).

·        Be on a dark and slippery path (lack ability to stand and fight).

In the end he prays an appropriate prayer: that the enemy will reap what he has sown.  The “law of the harvest” is always in order (Gal. 6:7).  The concluding words of praise are fitting.  As God speaks to His soul the man of God will be joyful in his soul, rejoicing in God’s salvation.  Every part of his body will exalt the Deliverer.

In the second stanza the complaint of David is again raised, that his enemies have returned evil for good.  David can recall times when he had been compassionate and caring of these very same people who are now on the attack.  Let us not forget that this is normal for believers.  Even as Christ suffered unjustly at the hands of those He had loved, so we will suffer in the same manner if we live godly lives (1 Peter 4:12-19).  Let us remember to do as David does and as Christ did as well: to …

·        Repay no one evil for evil (Rom. 12:17).

·        Live peaceably with other as much as possible (Rom. 12:18).

·        Allow God to settle the score (Rom. 12:19).  This is the essence of the “imprecatory” Psalms, where David is taking a problem with others and giving it to God to settle.

·        Love our enemies (Rom. 12:20).

·        Overcome evil with God (Rom. 12:21).

David’s “how long” (v17) reflects the difficulty he has, not only with what is happened but the fact that this problem has gone for so long.  Let us remember that tribulation works perseverance and perseverance proven character and proven character hope (Rom. 5:3-5).  If we are growing tired let us fall ever harder upon the Lord.  Let us not give in to the temptation to take vengeance into our own hands.  Let God do his perfect work in you as well in those who afflict you.

The final stanza again finds the Psalmist pleading with God to limit those who oppress him.  His concern is not only that they fail in what they seek to do but that they not have the opportunity to gloat in their evil.  In v19 to “wink with the eye” is a form of rejoicing over an enemy.  Spurgeon says (in his Treasury of David), 

The winking of the eye was the low-bred sign of congratulation at the ruin of their victim, and it may also have been one of their scornful gestures as they gazed upon him whom they despised. To cause hatred is the mark of the wicked, to suffer it causelessly is the lot of the righteous. God is the natural Protector of all who are wronged, and he is the enemy of all oppressors.

As is often the case David concludes not only with his own commitment to praise, but also the prayer that the people of God he is called to serve as King will also worship God for the way He cares for His Anointed.  In the end, prayer, even of this type of plea for our unjust suffering, is for the glory of God and not merely for the comfort of His people.

Think about times in your life that you have suffered without cause.  Did it make you discouraged?  Did you complain a lot to others, perhaps everyone who would listen except God?  Let us consider this seriously.  God has left us here to make disciples of all nations.  We cannot allow ourselves to be consumed by vengeance or bitterness.  May we learn to pray as did David, to give these things to God!  May we allow Him to receive the glory for working in and through these problematic relationships!  And may we give Him the praise!