Psalm 35

The Psalm

Psalms. Chapter 35. By David. Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help. Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me. Tell my soul, “I am your salvation.” Let those who seek after my soul be disappointed and brought to dishonour. Let those who plot my ruin be turned back and confounded. Let them be as chaff before the wind, the LORD’s angel driving them on. Let their way be dark and slippery, the LORD’s angel pursuing them. For without cause they have hidden their net in a pit for me. Without cause they have dug a pit for my soul. Let destruction come on him unawares. Let his net that he has hidden catch himself. Let him fall into that destruction. My soul shall be joyful in the LORD. It shall rejoice in his salvation. All my bones shall say, “LORD, 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?” Unrighteous witnesses rise up. They ask me about things that I don’t know about. They reward me evil for good, to the bereaving of my soul. 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. I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother. I bowed down mourning, as one who mourns his mother. 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. Like the profane mockers in feasts, they gnashed their teeth at me. Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, my precious life from the lions. I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you amongst many people. Don’t let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; neither let those who hate me without a cause wink their eyes. For they don’t speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land. Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me. They said, “Aha! Aha! Our eye has seen it!” You have seen it, LORD. Don’t keep silent. Lord, don’t be far from me. Wake up! Rise up to defend me, my God! My Lord, contend for me! Vindicate me, LORD my God, according to your righteousness. Don’t let them gloat over me. 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!” Let them be disappointed and confounded together who rejoice at my calamity. Let them be clothed with shame and dishonour who magnify themselves against me. Let those who favour my righteous cause shout for joy and be glad. Yes, let them say continually, “May The LORD be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant!” My tongue shall talk about your righteousness and about your praise all day long.

Worship Lyrics

By David
Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me
Fight against those who fight against me
Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help
Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me
Tell my soul, I am your salvation
Let those who seek after my soul be disappointed and brought to dishonour
Let those who plot my ruin be turned back and confounded
Let them be as chaff before the wind, the LORDs angel driving them on
Let their way be dark and slippery, the LORDs angel pursuing them
For without cause they have hidden their net in a pit for me
Without cause they have dug a pit for my soul
Let destruction come on him unawares
Let his net that he has hidden catch himself
Let him fall into that destruction
My soul shall be joyful in the LORD
It shall rejoice in his salvation
All my bones shall say LORD 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
Unrighteous witnesses rise up
They ask me about things that I dont know about
They reward me evil for good, to the bereaving of my soul
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
I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother
I bowed down mourning, as one who mourns his mother
But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together
The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I didnt know it
They tore at me, and didnt cease
Like the profane mockers in feasts, they gnashed their teeth at me
Lord, how long will you look on
Rescue my soul from their destruction, my precious life from the lions
I will give you thanks in the great assembly
I will praise you amongst many people
Dont let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me
Neither let those who hate me without a cause wink their eyes
For they dont speak peace
But they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land
Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me
They said, Aha
Aha
Our eye has seen it
You have seen it, LORD
Dont keep silent
Lord, dont be far from me
Wake up
Rise up to defend me, my God
My Lord, contend for me
Vindicate me, LORD my God, according to your righteousness
Dont let them gloat over me
Dont let them say in their heart, Aha
Thats the way we want it
Dont let them say, We have swallowed him up
Let them be disappointed and confounded together who rejoice at my calamity
Let them be clothed with shame and dishonour who magnify themselves against me
Let those who favour my righteous cause shout for joy and be glad
Yes let them say continually May The LORD be magnified
Who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant
My tongue shall talk about your righteousness and about your praise all day long

About This Psalm

Psalm 35 is a praise psalm that speaks to the heart of worship and devotion. This ancient song continues to inspire modern believers in their faith journey.

Key Themes: praise, deliverance, righteousness, conflict

Reflection

This psalm invites us to:

• Meditate on God's word and character
• Apply biblical truth to our daily lives
• Express our hearts in worship and prayer

Music & Worship

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Discussion Questions

1. What does this psalm teach us about God's character?
2. How can we apply the message of Psalm 35 to our lives today?
3. What verse or phrase stands out most to you, and why?

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