ScriptureDepth's study of Psalm 35
“Contend, Yahweh, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me.”
Psalms 35:1
David asks Yahweh to fight for him against those who oppose him, a plea that sets in motion a call for divine intervention throughout the chapter.
What Psalm 35 is about
The psalmist pleads for divine intervention against those who contend with him (vv. 1-3). He asks Yahweh to fight for him and protect him from his enemies. The desire for justice and retribution is clear as he calls for those who seek his ruin to be confounded (vv. 4-8). He expresses his sorrow for the suffering of others, sharing how he mourned when they were ill, but they have rewarded him with evil (vv. 9-14). The psalmist describes the attack and mockery from his enemies who rejoice in his trouble (vv. 15-20). He calls for God's justice, asking Yahweh to vindicate him and not let his enemies gloat (vv. 21-26). The psalmist promises to praise Yahweh among many people for His righteousness and faithfulness (vv. 27-28).
The chapter leaves the reader with the promise of praise for Yahweh and a plea for His justice.
Psalm 35 at a glance
- Psalm 35:1–3Plea for Divine Intervention
- Psalm 35:4–8Desire for Justice and Retribution
- Psalm 35:9–14Affliction and Sorrow for Others
- Psalm 35:15–20Attack and Mockery from Enemies
- Psalm 35:21–26Call for God's Justice
- Psalm 35:27–28Promise of Praise and Trust
Key verse: Psalms 35:1
One thing to notice
The psalmist speaks of betrayal by enemies throughout the chapter. This is seen in verses like 'They reward me evil for good' (v. 12), where he notes their unjust treatment despite his kindness to them. He expresses sorrow over their hostility.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Psalm 35 (WEB)
Plea for Divine Intervention Psalm 35:1–3
1Verse 1. Contend, Yahweh, with those who contend with me.Fight against those who fight against me.2Verse 2. Take hold of shield and buckler,and stand up for my help.3Verse 3. Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me.Tell my soul, “I am your salvation.”
Desire for Justice and Retribution Psalm 35:4–8
4Verse 4. Let those who seek after my soul be disappointed and brought to dishonor.Let those who plot my ruin be turned back and confounded.5Verse 5. Let them be as chaff before the wind,Yahweh’s angel driving them on.6Verse 6. Let their way be dark and slippery,Yahweh’s angel pursuing them.7Verse 7. For without cause they have hidden their net in a pit for me.Without cause they have dug a pit for my soul.8Verse 8. Let destruction come on him unawares.Let his net that he has hidden catch himself.Let him fall into that destruction.
Affliction and Sorrow for Others Psalm 35:9–14
9Verse 9. My soul shall be joyful in Yahweh.It shall rejoice in his salvation.10Verse 10. All my bones shall say, “Yahweh, who is like you,who delivers the poor from him who is too strong for him;yes, the poor and the needy from him who robs him?”11Verse 11. Unrighteous witnesses rise up.They ask me about things that I don’t know about.12Verse 12. They reward me evil for good,to the bereaving of my soul.13Verse 13. But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth.I afflicted my soul with fasting.My prayer returned into my own bosom.14Verse 14. I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother.I bowed down mourning, as one who mourns his mother.
Attack and Mockery from Enemies Psalm 35:15–20
15Verse 15. But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together.The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I didn’t know it.They tore at me, and didn’t cease.16Verse 16. Like the profane mockers in feasts,they gnashed their teeth at me.17Verse 17. Lord, how long will you look on?Rescue my soul from their destruction,my precious life from the lions.18Verse 18. I will give you thanks in the great assembly.I will praise you among many people.19Verse 19. Don’t let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me;neither let those who hate me without a cause wink their eyes.20Verse 20. For they don’t speak peace,but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.
Call for God's Justice Psalm 35:21–26
21Verse 21. Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me.They said, “Aha! Aha! Our eye has seen it!”22Verse 22. You have seen it, Yahweh. Don’t keep silent.Lord, don’t be far from me.23Verse 23. Wake up! Rise up to defend me, my God!My Lord, contend for me!24Verse 24. Vindicate me, Yahweh my God, according to your righteousness.Don’t let them gloat over me.25Verse 25. Don’t let them say in their heart, “Aha! That’s the way we want it!”Don’t let them say, “We have swallowed him up!”26Verse 26. Let them be disappointed and confounded together who rejoice at my calamity.Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me.
Promise of Praise and Trust Psalm 35:27–28
27Verse 27. Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause. Yes, let them say continually, “Yahweh be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant!” 28Verse 28. My tongue shall talk about your righteousness and about your praise all day long.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Psalm 35
Divine Justice
In verses 4-8, the psalmist calls for divine justice against those who seek to harm him. He requests that his enemies face disappointment and destruction for their unjust actions, saying, 'Let those who seek after my soul be disappointed and brought to dishonor.' The psalmist desires that their schemes backfire, as he pleads for Yahweh's intervention to ensure that justice prevails.
Innocence
In verses 11-14, the psalmist presents his innocence by recounting wrongful accusations and mistreatment. He describes how 'unrighteous witnesses rise up' against him, despite his past kindness and concern for others. This account reveals his grief over betrayal and highlights his integrity in stark contrast to the actions of his enemies.
Vindication
Throughout verses 23-26, the psalmist seeks vindication from Yahweh against those who mock him. He cries out, 'Lord, don’t be far from me' and asks for Yahweh to 'Vindicate me, Yahweh my God, according to your righteousness.' This plea indicates a deep need for God to affirm his righteousness and bring justice against his adversaries.
Trust in God
In verses 9-10, the psalmist expresses joy in Yahweh's salvation. He declares, 'My soul shall be joyful in Yahweh' and acknowledges God's ability to deliver 'the poor from him who is too strong for him.' This conveys the psalmist's reliance on Yahweh's protection and faithfulness in the midst of his struggles.
Chapter outline
How Psalm 35 unfolds
Psalm 35:1–3 Plea for Divine Intervention
The psalmist calls on Yahweh to take action against those opposing him, asking God to 'contend' and 'fight' for him (vv. 1-3). The imagery of shields and weapons illustrates a plea for divine support.
Psalm 35:4–8 Desire for Justice and Retribution
The psalmist calls for the downfall of those pursuing him, asking, 'Let those who seek after my soul be disappointed' (v. 4). He desires their schemes to backfire, saying, 'Let destruction come on him unawares' (v. 8).
Psalm 35:9–14 Affliction and Sorrow for Others
The psalmist expresses joy in Yahweh's salvation, stating, 'My soul shall be joyful in Yahweh' (v. 9). He recounts his past compassion, saying, 'I afflicted my soul with fasting' (v. 13), contrasting his kindness with their betrayal.
Psalm 35:15–20 Attack and Mockery from Enemies
The psalmist describes the mockery and aggression from his adversaries, who are joyfully attacking him without provocation (vv. 15-20). Their actions are characterized by deceit and a lack of peace, showing their contempt.
Psalm 35:21–26 Call for God's Justice
The psalmist urgently petitions God for justice against those who rejoice in his suffering, asking for vindication and protection from their gloating (vv. 21-26). His call highlights a desire for God’s active intervention.
Psalm 35:27–28 Promise of Praise and Trust
The psalmist concludes with a commitment to praise God publicly, expressing trust that those aligned with his cause will celebrate his deliverance (vv. 27-28). His focus shifts from despair to a promise of continual worship.
Key verses
Psalms 35:1David asks Yahweh to fight for him against those who oppose him, a plea that sets in motion a call for divine intervention throughout the chapter.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Psalm 35
- observeIn v3, what does David ask God to do with the 'spear'?
- observeWhat does David say will happen to his enemies in v8?
- interpretIn v11, why does David mention 'unrighteous witnesses' rising up against him?
- interpretIn v20, what does David mean when he says his enemies don't 'speak peace'?
- applyWhen have you faced unfair treatment like David in v12, where you were rewarded evil for good?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalm 35
- Joshua 23Psalm 35:1 and Joshua 23:10Both call for divine defense: Psalm 35:1 says, "Contend, Yahweh, with those who contend with me," while Joshua 23:10 promises, "Yahweh your God who fights for you."
- Psalm 38Psalm 35:12 and Psalm 38:20Both speak of injustice: Psalm 35:12 says, "They reward me evil for good," while Psalm 38:20 states, "They who also render evil for good are adversaries to me."
- Psalm 71Psalm 35:28 and Psalm 71:8Both express praise: Psalm 35:28 says, "My tongue shall talk about your righteousness," while Psalm 71:8 states, "My mouth shall be filled with your praise."
- Psalm 69Psalm 35:13 and Psalm 69:10Both highlight personal lament: Psalm 35:13 says, "I afflicted my soul with fasting," while Psalm 69:10 states, "When I wept and I fasted, that was to my reproach."
- Psalm 40Psalm 35:27 and Psalm 40:16Both celebrate divine favor: Psalm 35:27 states, "Yahweh be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant," while Psalm 40:16 says, "Let Yahweh be exalted."
- Psalm 119Psalm 35:1 and Psalm 119:154Both seek divine intervention: Psalm 35:1 says, "Contend, Yahweh, with those who contend with me," while Psalm 119:154 requests, "Plead my cause, and redeem me!"
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