Sundays in the Psalms (35-2)

The Saints Confidence in God Text: Psalm 35:19–28

Big Idea: When God's people are falsely accused and opposed without cause, they can rest confidently because God sees , God vindicates, and God deserves all the glory.

Introduction

One of the most frustrating experiences in life is being misunderstood.

To know the truth and yet have others believe a lie.

To be innocent and yet be treated as guilty.

To watch wicked people prosper while righteousness seems ignored.

David understood those feelings.

By the time we arrive at verse 19, remember he has already prayed, wept, and poured out his complaint before God.

Now the focus shifts from his suffering cry to His confidence in how God will respond.

The question is no longer:

"Why are my enemies doing this?"

The question becomes:

"What will God do?”

David's confidence rests in three truths:

God sees.

God vindicates.

God receives the Glory

I. God Sees It All

Psalm 35:19–24

The centerpiece of this section is verse 22:

"This thou hast seen, O LORD."

Everything David says before and after revolves around that statement.

A. The Hatred Was Unjustified (vv. 19–21)

"Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me."

David repeatedly emphasizes that their hatred is without cause.

These enemies:

Hate him wrongfully.

Speak deceitfully.

Rejoice at his suffering.

Seek his destruction.

Their words reveal their hearts.

"Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it."

They believe they have won.

They think David's downfall proves their accusations.

But they are judging before all the evidence is known.

Illustration

Human courts can be wrong.

Witnesses can lie.

Evidence can be manipulated.

Public opinion changes daily.

But heaven never reaches an incorrect verdict.

Application

People may misunderstand your motives.

People may believe false things about you.

But there is tremendous peace in knowing that God knows the whole story.

A. The Hatred Was Unjustified (vv. 19–21)

B. God's Vision Is Perfect (vv. 22–24)

"This thou hast seen, O LORD."

What a comforting truth.

God sees:

What others miss.

What others ignore.

What others misunderstand.

Nothing is hidden from Him.

David's confidence is not in convincing everyone else.

His confidence is in the fact that God already knows.

This is why he prays:

“Keep not silence."

David longs for God to act publicly.

He knows God sees privately.

Now he wants God to intervene visibly.

Then he prays:

"Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness."

Notice he does not ask God to judge according to:

Popular opinion.

Political advantage.

Public perception.

He asks God to judge according to righteousness.

Application

Many believers spend enormous energy trying to clear their name.

David teaches us to care more about God's verdict than man's.

II. God Vindicates the Righteous

Psalm 35:25–26

David now asks God to overturn the apparent victory of the wicked.

A. Don’t Let them Celebrate (v. 25)

Let them not say, “Aha, so would we have it."

David says, His enemies think the battle is over.

He says, Dont let them rejoice before the verdict is given

One of the great lessons of Scripture is that appearances can be deceiving.

Think of:

Joseph in prison.

Daniel in the lions' den.

Esther facing extermination.

Jesus in the tomb.

In every case it appeared evil had won.

but God had another chapter to write.

Application

Never judge the outcome of your situation before God finishes His work.

A. Don’t Let them Celebrate (v. 25)

B. God Judge their Pride (v. 26)

David asks that the proud be:

Ashamed.

Confounded.

Brought low.

Throughout Scripture pride always precedes destruction.

Examples include:

Pharaoh.

Goliath.

Nebuchadnezzar.

Haman.

The issue is not merely that these people oppose David.

The issue is that they exalt themselves above God

God has never lost a battle with pride.

Application

The believer does not need to seek revenge.

God is perfectly capable of defending His name and vindicating His people.

III. God Receives the Glory

Psalm 35:27–28

These final verses form the climax of the psalm.

Everything now shifts from conflict to celebration.

A. God's People Rejoice in His Faithfulness (v. 27)

Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause."

David recognizes that God's deliverance affects more than himself.

When God works in one believer's life:

Others are encouraged.

Faith is strengthened.

God receives glory.

Every testimony becomes a reminder that God is still faithful.

Application

Your victory may become someone else's encouragement.

A. God's People Rejoice in His Faithfulness (v. 27)

B. God's Glory Is Greater Than Personal Vindication (v. 27)

"Let the LORD be magnified."

This is the highest point in the psalm.

David's ultimate desire is not:

To win an argument.

To restore his reputation.

To defeat his enemies.

His ultimate desire is that God be magnified.

That is spiritual maturity.

The mature believer wants God's glory more than personal victory.

Illustration

When David defeated Goliath, the greatest miracle was not that a giant fell.

it was that the nations learned there was a God in Israel.

God's glory has always been the ultimate goal.

A. God's People Rejoice in His Faithfulness (v. 27)

B. God's Glory Is Greater Than Personal Vindication (v. 27)

C. God's Praise Should Fill Our Lives (v. 28)

"And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long."

The psalm begins with warfare.

It ends with worship.

David moves from:

Fear to faith.

Opposition to confidence.

Prayer to praise.

Notice that he praises God's righteousness.

That is important.

David is not simply thankful because God helped him.

He is thankful because God did what was right.

Application

The greatest evidence that God has worked in our lives is not merely that circumstances changed.

It is that our hearts become filled with worship.

Conclusion

Psalm 35 closes with a reminder every believer needs:

When people misunderstand you, when enemies oppose you, when lies are told about you, and when it appears evil is winning—

God sees.

God vindicates.

God receives the glory.

The world may render its verdict, but God's verdict is the one that ultimately matters.

And because God sees perfectly and judges righteously, His people can trust Him to have the final word.