Psalm 35 is one of the most inspiring but difficult-to-read chapters in the book of Psalms. For one, it is filled with David’s prayer for God to take vengeance on his enemies. On the other hand, the psalm includes worship and praise to God. For believers, Psalm 35 can teach us various lessons about the mercy, justice, and love of God.
In this post, let us go deeper into Psalm 35 and discover the powerful lessons we can apply in our lives!
What is Psalm 35?
Psalm 35 is the 35th chapter in the book of Psalms. Psalm 35 is about David’s pleading for God’s help in the middle of the persecution of his enemies. In this heartfelt and urgent prayer, David pours out his emotions. The exact situation that led to the psalm is a bit unclear, as the language used alternates between legal and military themes.
It’s uncertain whether David felt personally attacked and needed his name cleared or if the issue extended to international matters. This psalm falls into the category of imprecatory psalms, expressing strong feelings and calling for divine intervention. Despite the ambiguity, it’s often seen as an individual’s lament, reflecting personal struggles and a deep desire for vindication.
Who wrote Psalm 35 and why?
Psalm 35 is attributed to King David, who is traditionally believed to be the author of many of the psalms found in the Book of Psalms. In the case of Psalm 35, the text itself does not explicitly mention David’s name, but it is associated with him based on the historical and literary traditions surrounding the psalms.
The psalm is thought to be from David, but many experts believe it was actually written much later—maybe during the early post-exilic period, well after David’s time. The psalm doesn’t give us clear clues about when it was composed; it’s like a timeless piece that could relate to various situations.
Over the years, people likely found it relevant to different challenges and applied it to their own circumstances. It’s a versatile song that resonates with different moments throughout history.
As to why Psalm 35 was written, there are different reasons why Psalm 35 was written just like other Psalms. However, we need to take note that its exact historical context is not explicitly stated. However, these are the possible reasons as to why the author wrote Psalm 35:
- Psalm 35 is used to express the psalmist’s emotions, experiences, and relationship with God.
- Psalm 35 is used to give praise, thanksgiving, lamentation, and supplication to God.
- Psalm 35 is used to ask for God’s divine vindication, protection, and intervention.
- Psalm 35 serves as a timeless expression of faith and trust.
How is Psalm 35 written?
Psalm 35 has 28 verses. It read:
1 Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me;
Fight against those who fight against me.2 Take hold of shield and buckler,
And stand up for my help.3 Also draw out the spear,
And stop those who pursue me.
Say to my soul,
“I am your salvation.”4 Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor
Who seek after my life;
Let those be turned back and brought to confusion
Who plot my hurt.5 Let them be like chaff before the wind,
And let the angel of the LORD chase them.6 Let their way be dark and slippery,
And let the angel of the LORD pursue them.7 For without cause they have hidden their net for me in a pit,
Which they have dug without cause for my life.8 Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly,
And let his net that he has hidden catch himself;
Into that very destruction let him fall.9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD;
It shall rejoice in His salvation.10 All my bones shall say,
“LORD, who is like You,
Delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him,
Yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?”11 Fierce witnesses rise up;
They ask me things that I do not know.12 They reward me evil for good,
To the sorrow of my soul.13 But as for me, when they were sick,
My clothing was sackcloth;
I humbled myself with fasting;
And my prayer would return to my own heart.14 I paced about as though he were my friend or brother;
I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother.15 But in my adversity they rejoiced
And gathered together;
Attackers gathered against me,
And I did not know it;
They tore at me and did not cease;16 With ungodly mockers at feasts
They gnashed at me with their teeth.17 Lord, how long will You look on?
Rescue me from their destructions,
My precious life from the lions.18 I will give You thanks in the great assembly;
I will praise You among many people.19 Let them not rejoice over me who are wrongfully my enemies;
Nor let them wink with the eye who hate me without a cause.20 For they do not speak peace,
But they devise deceitful matters
Against the quiet ones in the land.21 They also opened their mouth wide against me,
And said, “Aha, aha!
Our eyes have seen it.”22 This You have seen, O LORD;
Do not keep silence.
O Lord, do not be far from me.23 Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication,
To my cause, my God and my Lord.24 Vindicate me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness;
And let them not rejoice over me.25 Let them not say in their hearts, “Ah, so we would have it!”
Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up.”26 Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion
Who rejoice at my hurt;
Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor
Who exalt themselves against me.27 Let them shout for joy and be glad,
Who favor my righteous cause;
And let them say continually,
“Let the LORD be magnified,
Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”28 And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness
Psalm 35
And of Your praise all the day long.
Psalm 35 is longer than most Psalms written by David. The psalm has a neat structure that breaks down into different sections, which helps in creating an easy to understand psalm 35 commentary:
- Call on the Divine Warrior (vv.1-3): The psalm kicks off with a strong call to the Divine Warrior, summoning divine intervention.
- Prayer for Vindication (vv.4-10): The next section focuses on a heartfelt prayer, asking for justification and support.
- The Troubled Soul (vv.11-18): The psalm then delves into the emotional aspect, exploring the challenges and struggles of the soul.
- Prayer for Vindication (vv.19-25): Returning to the theme of vindication, the psalmist reiterates the plea for divine support.
- Joy of Deliverance (vv.26-28): Finally, the psalm concludes on a positive note, expressing the joy of deliverance, as if celebrating a triumphant victory.
It’s like a well-orchestrated symphony, each section playing its unique part in the overall composition.
Psalm 35 stands out as an individual lament, showcasing a unique structure—it’s essentially three laments woven into one composition. It kicks off with a fervent plea to the LORD, seeking protection and vindication against the assaults of enemies. This initial cry is followed by a section that combines lament, prayer, and a vow of praise, spanning verses 1 to 10.
The second section places a spotlight on the lament, unfolding in verses 11 to 18, while the third section emphasizes the petition, encompassing verses 19 to 28. Though all three parts share the fundamental elements of individual laments, they deviate from the typical order. Notably, this psalm leans more towards petition than lament and confidence. However, the inclusion of a vow of praise serves as an expression of confidence, adding a nuanced and dynamic dimension to the psalm’s structure.
How to pray with Psalm 35?
If you have thoroughly read Psalm 35, you will notice how King David blended praise and worship with asking God to bring destruction and calamity upon his enemies. Because of this, a lot of believers would have a hard time praying Psalm 35 because of its supposedly violent nature.
Psalm 35 is actually one of the imprecatory psalms, which totals more than 10 of them. An imprecatory psalm is a psalm characterized by the author issuing curses, calling for calamity, and destruction, and invoking God’s anger and judgment upon their enemies.
So, how are you going to pray a psalm with this nature? Let me give you some simple steps:
Step 1: Read and reflect
Start by reading the entirety of Psalm 35. This is vital so you get the context and message of the psalm. Imagine yourself to be the writer and connect with the words and emotions conveyed.
Step 2: Identify your situation
Consider your own life circumstances and challenges. Just as Psalm 35 is versatile and can be applied to various situations, find parallels between the psalmist’s struggles and your own.
Step 3: Call on God
Psalm 35:1-3 starts by calling on God as the mighty and divine Warrior. By doing so, you are acknowledging the immeasurable power of God. It’s an expression of your desire to obtain divine intervention in your current situation. Express your hope for God to fight for you.
Step 4: Reflect on your troubled soul
Psalm 35:11-18 describes King David as a man with a troubled life. Like David, you can Open up about your emotional struggles, fears, and anxieties. Ask for God’s comfort and strength to navigate through difficulties.
Step 5: Develop the joy of deliverance
Conclude your prayer on a positive note, expressing gratitude and joy for the anticipated deliverance. Trust in God’s faithfulness and celebrate the victory that you believe will come.
All throughout the time, you pray Psalm 35, be sure to personalize your prayer. Meditate upon the words of the Psalm and continue in your faith!
Lessons from Psalm 35 infographics
Here’s an insightful and useful infographic that will give you an overview of the powerful lessons we can learn from Psalm 35.
7 compelling lessons from Psalm 35
Now that you know the biblical and historical background of Psalm 35, it’s time to learn its many powerful lessons. These lessons, when applied in your life, would dramatically change the way you see God and how you approach Him in prayer. So, let’s take a look at some of the most powerful lessons from Psalm 35:
1. Let God fight your battle
In life, there are just so many hardships, trials, and battles you have to face. They can be so overwhelming that you may be tempted to simply give up. However, Psalm 35 gives us the idea that instead of fighting your battles on your own, why not give it to God?
We read in Psalm 35:1-3:
1 Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me;
Fight against those who fight against me.2 Take hold of shield and buckler,
And stand up for my help.3 Also draw out the spear,
Psalm 35:1-3
And stop those who pursue me.
Say to my soul,
“I am your salvation.”
Calling on God to defend His people
In these verses, we see how David prays for God’s intervention. In verse 1, David is asking God to defend him in a legal setting. Perhaps, there are people who are trying to defeat him through the legal system of his day.
Then, in verses 2 and 3, David uses military terms to ask God to take up arms for him. Take note the language David uses here: shield, buckler, and spear. These are defensive and offensive weapons in warfare.
Thus, in David’s time, there are people who are fighting against him and he is overwhelmed by them. He knew that his enemies were powerful and cunning. They are out there to destroy him by any means they could.
As we can see here, David pictures God as having a shield and buckler. A shield is bigger than a buckler. A shield is best used against flying arrows and spears of the enemy. Bucklers are used for close combat. This tells us that David wants God to defend him in both short- and long-range attacks from his enemies!
Calling on God to be the attacker
Moreover, David is asking God not just to defend him, but rather to also fight for him — to be on the offensive! David uses the spear as a symbol of God’s power to attack his enemies.
David asked God to defend him and fight for him and God answered him. In the same manner, we are God’s people and as His people, we are given the privilege to come before His Holy Throne of Grace to ask for protection.
As you can see, in this life, there are just so many dangers looming around. Accidents and attacks from enemies can happen anytime. Thus, it is futile to let yourself be worried and let the enemies take your peace of mind.
You have the choice to ask for God’s divine protection. You can pray to God to take up his shield and buckler to defend you and to take up his spear to fight for you!
Do you have enemies who seek to destroy you? Is your life in danger because of where you are? Do you need constant protection? Then, pray. Prayer is the most powerful weapon you can have in this dangerous world. Prayer allows you to communicate with God and ask for His divine protection. It’s available to you. Will you fight your battle or let God fight for you?
2. Salvation only comes from God
When David was asking God to defend him, he needed an assurance from him. He can only get that assurance when he hears God saying, “I am your Salvation.” We read in Psalm 35:3:
3 Also draw out the spear,
And stop those who pursue me.
Say to my soul,
“I am your salvation.”
Jesus as our Salvation
What’s so fascinating about this verse is the Hebrew word for salvation. It is actually “Yeshuah.” Does that sound familiar? That’s actually the name of our Savior and Master, Yahshua the Messiah!
What a powerful statement here. Even in the Old Testament, we are seeing Jesus Christ (Yahshua) as someone who actively works with His people.
Truly, we can see how true Acts 4:12 is:
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
There are people who erroneously claim that all religions lead to God. They believe that every religion is equally true and that it will ultimately save them. Yet, the Bible is clear that salvation only comes through Yahshua and His Father.
Only God gives true victory
King David knew very well that it was not the gods of the pagans who gave victory, protection, and salvation. It is only Yahweh the Most High, the Possessor of Heaven and Earth, who is alive and mighty. He is the only Living God who has the power to give salvation to those who call upon Him.
As believers, we can put our confidence in God, that our faith is not in vain. We can fully trust Him that He gives salvation to those whom He calls and answers His calling.
3. Pray for God’s justice
What makes Psalm 35 difficult is how David seems to pray for the destruction of his enemies. Shouldn’t we be praying for our enemies that they turn their ways to God? Jesus said to even love our enemies by praying for them. Is David going against God’s command of love here?
Actually, no. David here is actually describing God’s vengeance on behalf of His people. Let’s read David’s written words in Psalms 35:4-8:
4 Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor
Who seek after my life;
Let those be turned back and brought to confusion
Who plot my hurt.5 Let them be like chaff before the wind,
And let the angel of the LORD chase them.6 Let their way be dark and slippery,
And let the angel of the LORD pursue them.7 For without cause they have hidden their net for me in a pit,
Which they have dug without cause for my life.8 Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly,
And let his net that he has hidden catch himself;
Into that very destruction let him fall.
How God brings justice for His people
Notice David’s prayer here. He wants God to put to shame and dishonor his enemies. He wants God to bring confusion upon them. He wants God to make them like chaff, meaning worthless. He wants God to make their way dark and slippery. Finally, he wants God to bring ultimate destruction upon them.
All these are actually how God brings justice for His people. David is simply describing God’s justice. Remember, God is not just the God of mercy, but also justice. While God is merciful, there will come a time when He will enact justice for His people who have been wronged, hurt, and persecuted.
Let God avenge you
Remember, David is in the right here. He is wrongly persecuted. In verse 7, he explained that his enemies want to hurt him WITHOUT cause. David is on God’s side! Therefore, he is in the right position to ask God’s vengeance upon his enemies.
What’s more, David is asking in faith here. He has confidence and trust in God’s justice. He knew that if there was one Being who could make it right for him, it was Yahweh!
We read in Romans 12:19-20:
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
It is not us who will take revenge on our enemies. It is God. We can all sleep soundly every night without worrying about how we can make even or reciprocate the evil other people have done to us. You can simply surrender that to God.
God putting an end to the evil
Moreover, it is only morally right for us to ask God to end all evil in the world. Ending evil involves putting to shame evil people and even bringing destruction upon them.
So, can you pray like David here? Absolutely! However, you need to make sure that you’re praying according to God’s will and purpose. You don’t simply ask God to destroy sinners when you too are a sinner yourself.
4. Our prayer should include worship and praise
Sometimes, our prayer can easily become all about us. However, that should not be the case. For David, he is going through a lot of troubles. He has enemies who are out there not just to hurt him, but to kill him!
It would be understandable for Psalm 35 to be all about David’s plea for God’s protection. Nevertheless, he made sure that he would include worship and praise in his prayer!
We read in Psalm 35::9-10, 18, 2-28:
9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD;
It shall rejoice in His salvation.10 All my bones shall say,
“LORD, who is like You,
Delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him,
Yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?”18 I will give You thanks in the great assembly;
I will praise You among many people.27 Let them shout for joy and be glad,
Who favor my righteous cause;
And let them say continually,
“Let the LORD be magnified,
Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”28 And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness
And of Your praise all the day long.
Worship in prayer is crucial. It helps us see who God really is. It helps us understand who we are talking to. It sets the right tone for how we approach the Holy Throne of God. It also shifts our focus from ourselves to our Father!
Notice how David praises God here. He says that his soul shall be joyful in Yahweh. He places his joy in God. Not only that but by saying, “All my bones,” he is saying that all his being, which includes his mind and body, will praise God.
He recognizes that there is no other like Yahweh in helping the poor and those who experience injustices. He knows that when it comes to mercy, love, and justice, no one can match our Heavenly Father.
Truly, God is worthy of our worship and praise!
5. The good you do will not always be rewarded
We live in a world full of evil. Thus, we must realize that doing the right thing does not guarantee immediate good results. There are times when people will hate you for being good. Even if you have done good to them, they will still find fault, accuse you, and even hurt you. What’s more, even if you have done a lot of good things for them, they can easily forget those and magnify one little fault you might have committed.
Sadly, that’s just how some people are and that’s what King David experienced, too. We read in Psalms 35:11-16:
11 Fierce witnesses rise up;
They ask me things that I do not know.12 They reward me evil for good,
To the sorrow of my soul.13 But as for me, when they were sick,
My clothing was sackcloth;
I humbled myself with fasting;
And my prayer would return to my own heart.14 I paced about as though he were my friend or brother;
I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother.15 But in my adversity they rejoiced
And gathered together;
Attackers gathered against me,
And I did not know it;
They tore at me and did not cease;16 With ungodly mockers at feasts
They gnashed at me with their teeth.
David performed good things for others. When they were sick, he prayed and fasted for them. He treated them as a friend, brother, and loved ones.
Yet, in all the good things he has done, the same people rose up against him. They reward him evil for good.
Don’t be tired in doing good
In the same manner, we might do good to others but you are repaid evil. Does this mean that we should stop doing good? Of course not!
We read Galatians 6:9-10:
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
It is not the people who will reward us. It is God. If they repay us good for good, then that’s nice. However, whether we are reciprocated or not, God is faithful that He will take note of those good things you have done and He will reward us accordingly. If not in this life, it will surely be in the life to come.
6. Our deliverance will not always be immediate
God promises protection for His people. However, sometimes, that protection is delayed or it even comes in the form of death!
We read in Psalms 35:17:
17 Lord, how long will You look on?
Rescue me from their destructions,
My precious life from the lions.
Here, David is asking God where is the rescue he has promised. Sometimes, God puts more importance on strengthening our faith and developing our godly character. If we pray for something and we get it always, then that would not take as much faith as possible, right? Even King David asks the question, “How long will you look on?”
In times when God seems to be silent or when He feels like He is far away, we must always remember that God has His own timetable. His timing is perfect and you can’t improve something that’s already perfect.
Wouldn’t it be better to trust in God’s perfect timing rather than trust our imperfect timing? Yes, it will take patience and faith, but perhaps, that’s the answer to your prayer — to have a stronger faith that will help you get closer to God.
7. Be honest and specific in your prayer
You need to see prayer as a way to strengthen your relationship with God. When you understand this one purpose, it will dramatically revolutionize your prayer life.
I believe that some people don’t see the importance of prayer and only see prayer as a way to get what they want from God. When they don’t get what they want, they get discouraged and simply forget about prayer.
(P.S. If you wish to learn more about communicating with God, don’t hesitate to check out our best online course, “Teach Us To Pray.” In this online course, you’ll learn the biblical definition of prayer, how to pray a prayer that God hears, the powerful reasons you should pray and so much more. Click here to learn more!)
However, if you see prayer as a way to build your relationship with God, you’ll pray even more. Like any relationship, you need constant communication to make it grow and flourish. The same is true with our relationship with God.
We can’t simply talk to God once a day or worse, once a week or month. We need constant communication with Him. If you only talk to your spouse once a week, do you think your relationship will grow? Of course not! That’s the same case with our relationship with God.
David understood this and thus, you can see in his prayers and psalms how he became bold, honest, and specific. For example, we read in Psalms 35:19-26:
19 Let them not rejoice over me who are wrongfully my enemies;
Nor let them wink with the eye who hate me without a cause.20 For they do not speak peace,
But they devise deceitful matters
Against the quiet ones in the land.21 They also opened their mouth wide against me,
And said, “Aha, aha!
Our eyes have seen it.”22 This You have seen, O LORD;
Do not keep silence.
O Lord, do not be far from me.23 Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication,
To my cause, my God and my Lord.24 Vindicate me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness;
And let them not rejoice over me.25 Let them not say in their hearts, “Ah, so we would have it!”
Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up.”26 Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion
Who rejoice at my hurt;
Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor
Who exalt themselves against me.
Talk to God like a Father or Friend
This is a prayer of a man who sees God as His Father and friend. David shares his innermost thoughts with God. He doesn’t relent. Whatever is in his mind, he speaks to God. He is even specific about what he wants to do.
God desires a deep relationship with us. He longs to hear from us. He wants us to open up to Him and say all that bothers and concerns us. He wants us to share with Him our thoughts of happiness, sadness, frustrations, and ambitions.
When we constantly talk to God, we become closer to Him. Simply put, the more we pray, the more we get closer to God.
So, don’t hesitate to be real with God. He already knew our thoughts. So, there’s nothing to hide from Him. By speaking to God and letting Him know our thoughts and feelings, we become more conscious of who we are, who God is, and our relationship with Him.
Understand Psalm 35 today
Psalm 35 is truly an amazing psalm that captivates the thoughts and emotions of King David. We, too, can pray like David. We should and we must stay closer to God. Look to Him for protection and constantly be in a prayerful and worshipful attitude toward Him. And that is the message of Psalm 35 for us today!
How about you? What are the lessons you learned from Psalm 35? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below!
Join our Best Becoming Christians Academy Courses and learn more about:
About the Author
Joshua Infantado is the founder of the Becoming Christians website and the Becoming Christians Academy, an online course. Since 2013, he has been writing Christian articles, and he recently launched his own YouTube channel. Joshua is deeply passionate about sharing the Word of God and assisting people in their Christian journey.