Psalm 35 The Lord The Avenger of His People

Introductory Notes:

Whether or not this psalm was written as a companion to Psalm 34, it is well placed next to it, not only because of some verbal affinities and contrasts (notably ‘the angel of the Lord’, Psalm 34:7; 35:5, 6, found nowhere else in the Psalter), but because it speaks out of the kind of darkness which has just been dispelled in the former psalm. The deliverance celebrated in that psalm is now seen to be not invariably swift or painless, but subject, if God wills, to agonizing delays. Yet David never doubts that his day will come. Each plea for help looks on towards that moment: the three divisions of the psalm all end in hope. (Kidner)

simple division into three sections, each ending on a note of joyful confidence (Psalm 35:9-10; 18; 28).

“It’s Complaint, Prayer, and Promise of Praise are repeated with remarkable parallelism three times, even as our Lord in the Garden prayed three times using the same words.” (CHS)

EXPOSITORY NOTES: (Passing through the Psalm)

1. Cycle ONE (1-10): THE SCHEMING/The Attack he was experiencing

A. David pleads for divine help, on the basis that the Lord’s cause is his, that therefore his enemies are the Lord’s (vv. 1-3).

vs. 1 plead my cause bold prayer solicits the legal advocacy of God (cf. Proverbs 25:8,9; Isaiah 3:13)

The Hebrew word used here, riv, often appears in contexts referring to legal disputes (see Job 9:3 and note). Here it carries a meaning of going to battle (Judg 11:25). The psalmist asks Yahweh to fight for him against his enemies.

“Plead against those who plead against me: strive with my strivers; contend with my contenders . . . Every saint of God shall have this priviledge: the accuser of the brethren shall be met by the advocate of the saints.” (CHS, 140)

Fight. this prayer asks the Divine Warrior to fight his battles for him. (e.g. exodus 15:3; Deut. 32:41ff)

B. If the cause is to prevail, the enemies must be destroyed, and their punishment will corrospond to the evil they have done. (v. 4-8)

Vs. 5-6 The Angel of The Lord

the angel of the Lord (see on Psalm 34:7) is either our salvation or our doom; cf. Exodus 23:20–22.

The dark picture in verse 6 is made even more desperate than that of Proverbs 4:19 by the almost gurgling liquidity of the word slippery, and by the thought of the Pursuer close behind. (Kidner)

Vs. 7 without casue . . .without casue. all their attacks, from a covenant or legal standpoint, have been unjustified.

twice here and again in Psalm 35:19

the hurt of injustice; it is the gospel which turns it into a situation to be redeemed, an opportunity of following in the steps of Christ (1 Pet. 2:19ff.). (Kidner)

C. the outcome, eagerly awauted, will be demonstrably the visctory of good over eveil. (vv. 9-10)

Vs. 10 LORD, who is like you? a canonized axpression of awe at the uniqueness of israel’s great God. (cf. Exodus 15:11; Micah 7:18)

2. Cycle TWO (11-18): THE MOBBING/The Perjury he was experiencing

The facts of the case show that David is sufering undeservedly and Saul’s party is acting maliciously (vs. 11-16)/Examine the evidence.

Vs. 11 Violent witnesses The Hebrew phrase used here, ede chamas, often indicates a false witness (Exod 23:1), specifically one who witnesses with bad intentions against someone (Deut 19:16).

Vs. 16 the painful maimings of mockery, cf. Job 16:9; Psalm 37:12; 112:10; Lamentations 2:16

The wronged man appeals for help (v. 17), act without delay

vs. 17how long? (Psalm 13:1; Habakkuk 1:2)

This cry is common in lament psalms (e.g., Ps 13:1; 35:17; 74:10; 90:13). The psalmist desperately cries out for God to act, expressing concern that God allows his suffering to continue.

anticipating the Lord’s deliverence (v. 18), he pledges praise.

Vs. 18 I will give thanks to you Describing public praise, a common and expected response to Yahweh’s saving work (Psalm 22:22).

Cycle Three (19-28): THE GLOATING/The Mockery he was anticipating

He prays for judgement concerning them (19-21)

vs. 19 wrongfully “without cause” twice in verse 7

Hatred without cause is so basic a response of evil towards good (already emphasized in verse 7) that Jesus saw verse 19 (and Psalm 69:4) not as David’s strange misfortune but as his own predestined lot. . . . The pattern, pure and complete in his case . . . is appointed for us as well (John 15:18ff.).

vs. 21 Aha, aha! this taunting chorus will return in Psalm 35:25

He prays for justice concerning himself (22-26)

David’s enemies are exposed in their unrighteousness, and David in his righteousness cries to the Lord (22-25)

vs. 21-22 Our eyes have seen it, This you have seen, O Lrd. What David’s enemy allegedly saw, the Lord has seen perfectly. David knew that his God would vindicate him based on the true evidence, all in his favor.

Vs. 24 Vindicate me! is lit. ‘Judge me’: cf. on Psalm 5:4–6.

Prayer that the truth will be vindicated by the confounding of the one party and the praises of the other (26-27) leading to the

confident closing veres (28) he pledges praise (17, 28)

CONCLUSION:

Note the results:

“And my soul shall be joyful.” (v.9); JOY!

“I will give you thanks… I will praise you among many. (v.18) PRAISE!

“And my tongue shall speak of your righteousness” (v.28). WITNESS!

Joy on the inside and witness on the outside! (Weiersbe)

Bibliography:

Spurgeon, C H. 1988. The Treasury of David. Virginia: Mclean Pub. Co. (Vol. 1, Book 2, Page 140-156)

Motyer, J A, John R W Stott, David Atkinson, Joyce Baldwin, Derek Tidball, Raymond Brown, David Firth, et al. 1984. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, Il ; Leicester, England: Intervarsity Press. (pg. 118-124)

Kidner, Derek. 2014. Psalms. Downers Grove, Illinois: Ivp Academic, An Imprint Of Intervarsity Press.

‌‌Zondervan Bible Publishers (Grand Rapids, Mich. 2017. NIV Faithlife Study Bible : Intriguing Insights to Inform Your Faith. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.

Macarthur, John. 2013. The MacArthur Study Bible. Nashville, Tn: Thomas Nelson.

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