HEADING. ‘A Psalm of David' This is the Psalm of a man who is being hard pressed by his enemies who are seeking to accuse him falsely and maliciously before the courts of the land. But it is quite possible also that his life was literally in danger, for he calls initially for deliverance from his... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PSALMIST ASKS THAT GOD WILL PROTECT HIM AND STAND FIRM IN HIS DEFENCE (PSALMS 35:1). In these first three verses we have a vivid picture drawn of God dressed in heavenly armour, and fully armed. He is to take up His larger shield for diverting the missiles of the enemy, and also his smaller shie... [ Continue Reading ]
HE CALLS ON GOD BY HIS ANGEL TO DRIVE HIS ENEMIES BACK AND PUT THEM TO FLIGHT (PSALMS 35:4). Not content with the fact that YHWH will stand with him to protect him, he calls on Him to pursue his enemies and do to them what they are trying to do to him. Psalms 35:4 ‘ Let those be put to shame and... [ Continue Reading ]
HE ASKS THAT THOSE WHO ARE HUNTING FOR HIM MIGHT FALL INTO THE TRAP THAT THEY THEMSELVES HAVE SET SO THAT ONCE MORE HE CAN REJOICE IN YHWH'S SALVATION (PSALMS 35:7). This movement from the battle ground to the hunting field might serve to confirm that the pictures are metaphorical, unless this actu... [ Continue Reading ]
BROUGHT BEFORE THE JUDGES HE IS QUESTIONED ABOUT CRIMES OF WHICH HE KNOWS NOTHING, AND THAT BY THOSE TO WHOM HE HAD SHOWN NOTHING BUT KINDNESS WHO ARE NOW DETERMINED TO BRING HIM DOWN (PSALMS 35:11). The scene now changes to the court room. He is asked questions about crimes of which he knows nothi... [ Continue Reading ]
CONCERNED BY HOW LONG HIS AFFLICTION IS GOING ON HE POINTS OUT HOW FALSE THEIR ACCUSATIONS ARE AND ASKS FOR DELIVERANCE FROM THEIR ATTEMPTS TO BRING HIM DOWN (PSALMS 35:17). . Psalms 35:17 ‘Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, My only one from the lions. I wi... [ Continue Reading ]
HE CALLS ON GOD TO VINDICATE HIM, BY PUNISHING THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST HIM, AND BY REWARDING THOSE WHO TAKE UP HIS CAUSE, AT WHICH POINT HE WILL MAKE KNOWN TO ALL WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR HIM (PSALMS 35:22). Psalms 35:22 ‘You have seen it, O YHWH, keep not silence, O Lord, do not be far from me. Stir... [ Continue Reading ]