Psalm 35

Authorship

This Psalm was authored by David.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. Petitions. (1-8)

A. Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me.

B. Fight against them that fight against me.

C. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.

D. Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me.

E. Say unto my soul, I am Thy salvation.

F. Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul.

G. Let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.

H. Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord chase them.

I. Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the Lord persecute them.

J. For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit:

1. Without cause they have digged for my soul.

2. Let destruction come upon him unawares.

3. Let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.

II. Praise. (9-10)

A. My soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in His salvation.

B. All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto Thee:

1. Who delivers the poor from him that is too strong for him.

2. Who delivers the poor and the needy from him that spoils him.

III. Persecution. (11-16)

A. False witnesses rose up:

1. They laid to my charge things that I knew not.

2. They rewarded me evil for good, to the spoiling of my soul.

B. When my enemy was in adversity:

1. My clothing was sackcloth.

2. I humbled my soul with fasting.

3. My prayer returned into mine own bosom.

4. I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother.

5. I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.

C. When I was in adversity, the enemy:

1. Rejoiced.

2. Gathered themselves together against me.

3. They tore me with their mouths and ceased not.

4. With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

IV. Petitions. (17-26)

A. Lord, how long wilt thou look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.

B. I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise Thee among much people.

C. Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.

D. For they speak not peace:

1. They devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.

2. They opened their mouth wide against me, and said, “Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.”

E. This Thou has seen:

1. O Lord: keep not silence.

2. O Lord, be not far from me.

3. Stir up Thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

4. Judge me, O Lord my God, according to Thy righteousness.

5. Let them not rejoice over me.

F. Let them not say in their hearts:

1. So would we have it.

2. We have swallowed him up.

G. Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt.

H. Let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.

V. Praise. (27-28)

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

B. Let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”

C. My tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and of Thy praise all the day long.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 35,3 וּסְגֹר {A} MT, G, σ', Hebr, S / / paraphr: T

Ps 35,7 שַׁחַת רִשְׁתָּם {B} MT, G, σ', Hebr, T // lic: g, S

Ps 35,8 בְּשׁוֹאָה {B} MT, G, α', T // lic: S / assim G: Hebr

Ps 35,12 שְׁכוֹל {A} MT, G, α', T // err-ponct: S

Ps 35,15 נֵכִים {C} MT, α' // exeg θ', σ', Hebr, T, G, ε', S / err-graph: 4QPs^q תכים

Ps 35,16 מָעוֹג {C} MT, εβρ // assim-ctext: G, ς', ε', α', σ', Hebr, S, T