Psalm 35 explained: A Plea Against Betrayal

Asking God to fight (vv. 1-3)

The writer, traditionally King David, pictures God as a warrior taking up shield and spear to block the people chasing him. Beyond rescue, he asks for inner reassurance: to hear God say, "I am your salvation," meaning "I am the one who saves you."

Let the trap catch the hunters (vv. 4-10)

He asks that his attackers be blown away like chaff (the light husks scattered when grain is threshed) with the LORD's angel chasing them, and that their own hidden nets and pits catch them instead. Readers debate whether these lines are personal wishes or a forecast of God's justice, and the section ends with praise for a God who rescues the weak from the strong.

Repaid evil for good (vv. 11-16)

Lying witnesses accuse him, though when these same people were sick he fasted, wore sackcloth (rough cloth worn in grief) and mourned as if for his own mother. When he hit hard times, they gathered to mock him and gnashed their teeth, a sign of open hatred.

How long will you watch? (vv. 17-21)

He compares his attackers to lions and describes their insulting winks and their gloating claim to have seen his downfall with their own eyes. Christians later read the line about being hated without cause in light of Jesus, who used similar words about himself in John 15:25, though the phrase also appears in Psalm 69.

Wake up and defend me (vv. 22-28)

In courtroom language, he asks God to stop being silent and to judge his case fairly, so his enemies cannot boast that they have "swallowed him up." He ends by hoping his supporters will celebrate and by promising to speak of God's fairness all day long.

Key verse: Psalm 35:1

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on how to read the psalm's prayers for enemies' ruin: some see them as prophecy of God's justice, some as honest anger handed to God rather than acted on, and some as attitudes that Jesus' call to love enemies moves beyond.

Something to think about

When someone you once treated kindly turns against you, what feels fair to wish for them, and what does that wish tell you about yourself?