I. Contend, O LORD, With Those Who Contend With Me (35:1-10)
* The image titled, "God's Hosts Guard Elisha" is from "The Bible and its Story" book, authored by Charles Horne, 1909. It is now in public domain.
>1. What did David ask the Lord? What does this imply he had not done? Why might he have not done that?
* Psalm 35:1-3 "Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, 'I am your salvation.'"
* The title is simply "A Psalm of David".
* David three times in the psalm elaborates on his petition in verses 1-3, each time followed by a vow.
* "Contend... fight... take up... arise and come... brandish... say"
* "Say to my soul, 'I am your salvation.'" -Through the Spirit this can be done.
* Once again, David calls on the Warrior Heavenly King to contend against his opponents, "Fight against those who fight against me." David was a capable warrior from a young age. The battles he fought were against Israel's enemies and invaders. Yet, these pursuing enemies were different. They were Israelites, acquaintances with whom he had shown only the most tender friendship. David did not fight them.
The Lord God told Israel, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them." (Deuteronomy 32:35) Jesus taught, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." (Matthew 5:38-39) Furthermore, he also taught, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Matthew 5:43-45)
David did not fight against those who hated him. David did not strike an ally turned enemy. David prayed for God to take up shield and buckler; arise and come to his aid. There is a time for everything under the sun. Sometimes the Lord God calls me to fight for his good purposes. Other times I wait for the Lord Jesus to avenge me. In all situations, I am to not hate, but to love and trust the Lord. Now again I find a target on my back. I ask as David, "Lord say to my soul, 'I am your salvation.'"
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 35:1-3.
>2. How is the poetry in verses 1-3 defined in verses 4-8?
* Psalm 35:4-8 "May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.
5 May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away;
6 may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7 Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me,
8 may ruin overtake them by surprise-- may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin."
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* David asks the Lord Jesus in prayer to turn upside down the circumstances in his life. He wants those who once he trusted and lived with, the same ones who now seek his life to be put to disgrace and shame. He asks that those former family and friends who now plot his ruin to lose their resolution to do evil. Instead of pursuing him, he calls for angels to pursue them. He wants the trap they set for him to spring on them. David wants this to end not in his death, but in new happy beginnings for all.
David will not lift a finger against them because he should not be the one to attack the malicious. However, he does ask that the troublemakers be driven into a place that causes a change in their lives.; that they experience what they are doing to him, hoping they can be saved. Sometimes ruin and disaster are the best means to save a soul from malediction.
David shows compassion to those who seek his ruin. Jesus said, "Pray for those who persecute you." To do so takes wisdom, faith, and love. To do so does not mean that I do not pray for deliverance for myself. To pray this means to pray for reconciliation and resolution.
"How to mend a broken soul," is what I should be asking? How can someone who seeks evil be converted to a peaceful and blessed person? How can this end where all are saved? This puzzle must have been on David's mind when he resolved not to fight against those seeking him harm. The answers to these questions were certainly on Jesus' mind when he allowed himself to be arrested, tried, tortured, and crucified for the salvation of the world. David's prayer is a "Woe to you," request resulting in salvation for the damaged soul.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 35:4-8.
>3. What does David promise he will do when verses 4-8 are completed? What is David doing?
* Psalm 35:9-10 "Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation.
10 My whole being will exclaim, 'Who is like you, O LORD? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.'"
* "Then" -If verses 4-8 are completed, then David will do this. David is requesting a contract or a covenant with the Lord.
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* The world has many rich who obtained their wealth by robbing others. (10) One moment the hard work, perspiration, ingenuity, and perseverance that brought me the desires of my heart can be taken by those too strong for me. Fugitive David experienced this. The rage of a jealous king in a moment took away the family, security, and life that David had obtained. God's gifts given to David were suddenly out of reach; taken away by evil intent.
The character formed during the good times determines how a person responds when left with nothing. Those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality through Jesus will continue to do so even when poverty is their new reality. (Romans 2:7) "In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality." (Proverbs 12:28) Fugitive David continued to apply Jesus' life principles when the trouble began. The desire to live righteously was his learned dominant character impulse. The soul can learn to resist the sinful nature with continued pursuit and determined faith in God. King Saul never learned this.
David continued to pray. He called out to God in faith and sincerity. He never blamed God. He did not show contempt towards God when all became nothing. He did not hate others. He did not give up on God. He believed that the Lord would hear him. He waited for deliverance. He vowed that with God's deliverance, "then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation. My whole being will exclaim, 'Who is like you, O LORD?" Faith practiced in good times will prepare me for inconvenience.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 35:9-10.
II. O Lord, How Long (35:11-21)
* The image titled, "Pharisees Oppose Jesus" is from "The Bible and its Story" book, authored by Charles Horne, 1909. It is now in public domain.
>4. How is the poetry in verses 1-3 defined in verses 11-12? How did Jesus also experience this? What kind of a relationship did David have to those who are not opposing him? (13-14) Who does David now equate them with? (16)
* Psalm 35:11-16 "Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about.
12 They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn.
13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
14 I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.
15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; attackers gathered against me when I was unaware. They slandered me without ceasing.
16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me."
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* David's words reflect what would happen to Jesus, the Son of David centuries later. "Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about," is witnessed in Matthew's and Mark's gospels. "The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally, two came forward and declared, 'This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' Yet even then their testimony did not agree."(Matthew 26:59-61; Mark 14:55-59) Luke's gospel records lies the religious assembly said about Jesus before Governor Pilate. (Luke 23:1-2, 4-5, 13-17)
If I go about doing good and even perform miracles that benefit people's lives as David (12-14) and Jesus did (Acts 2:22), I should not expect that they will return the kind favor. The probability exists because of our sinful nature that they will repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn (nearly hopeless). (12)
I learn here to not do good to get good in return. Dale Carnegie preached in his book that doing good for self-profit will be in my favor. If I do as he says I may be forsaken and deprived of hope when I stumble and others gather in glee and/or attackers gather against me when I am unaware. (15)
Jesus taught, "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:3-4) Further to the point he concluded the parable about duty, "So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" (Luke 17:10) Doing good to others is the human duty, not an advantage.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 35:11-16.
>5. When David ask "how long" what does it imply? Why doesn't the Lord apply relief right away? Why does he let it even come at all? (Luke 14:27; Acts 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Peter 4:12)
* Psalm 35:17-18 "O Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.
18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you."
* "O Lord, how long will you look on?" -Implies he was experiencing trouble for a long time.
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* Is David bargaining with God? David's troubled life remains, so David seems to present an if-then contract to God. Is it wrong to present an accord, that is an exchange agreement with God?
Here and elsewhere it seems that David is presenting a contract to God. David is not the only one. Gideon's fleece experiment is similar, except his is a proof-contract. (Judges 6:36-40) David's proposition is also a kin to but quite different than a prosperity-contract. That is why those who followed Jesus after the feeding of the five thousand tried to make him king by force. They were seeking the prosperity that they believed he would give. "We will make you king if you give us free food every day," was their intent. Jesus' reproof remains true for that is not faith. (John 6:14-15, 26-28)
David's presented agreement appears to be that if the Lord rescues him, he will give the Lord thanks in the great assembly. Or perhaps it is the other way around. David will praise God in the great assembly, and then the Lord must rescue him. In other words, David is saying, "Lord, among a large crowd I will praise you. When I do so rescue me."
The latter seems not likely because David is on the run from people chasing as lions chase prey. Therefore, he is unable to appear openly among a great crowd. So, here David's presented contract is rescue me, then I will praise you. Some call this a "trench prayer".
No matter which the fact remains. David is presenting an if-then contract to God. So the question remains. Is presenting an exchange-contract possible, let alone righteous? Is presenting a compact to God any different than the covenants God presents to man? Can man present a righteous covenant with God?
Problems with presenting contracts to The Almighty God exist. First, what if life circumstances do not change? Will the party presenting the contract refuse to praise the one who is worthy of all praise? Another connotation is, am I in any position to make any covenant with God? The only thing I have to present as collateral to the Lord God who owns all is faithful praise from a sincere heart. Being that God is whole unto himself he does not need anyone's praise and blessing. The only one who benefits from praise is myself. David's side of the contract, though not easy to accomplish is a trifle to El Shaddai (God Almighty).
If I present a contract such as David, similar to an ultimatum, does it not indicate that my heart is not righteous? What I mean is will a righteous heart present the possibility that they will withhold praise until God keeps his part of the contract? Is this a form of prosperity gospel? Prosperity gospel practically says God owes me prosperity if I tithe in faith. Is both an if-then contract and prosperity gospel in conflict with sincere praise and love?
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 35:17-18.
>6. How were people who were his friends and even family members treating him now? What does verse 21 mean?
* Psalm 35:19-21 "Let not those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; let not those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.
20 They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.
21 They gape at me and say, "Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it."
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* Jesus quoted verse 19 to his apostles on the night he was betrayed. John 15:25 records his word, "But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.'" (John 15:25) Enemies without cause and hate without reason are common in the Psalter. (38:19, 69:4, 109:3, 119:78, 86, 161, and especially 69:4) Hate without cause for Jesus' disciples is common to this day.
Jesus had been explaining and foretelling the world's hate for his disciples when he quoted David. "If the world hates you," he told them, "keep in mind that it hated me first." (John 15:18) The people who have hate-produced actions are defined in these verses. David and Jesus experienced the same hateful actions from the same kind of people. Time is not changing the human heart. They gloat (19), maliciously wink the eye (19), do not speak peacefully (20), devise false accusations (20), and rejoice when they can justify their hate (21, 25).
Jesus' and David's reaction to hate without reason are examples to follow. First, they were not surprised. Secondly, they did not respond to hate with hate. They did not argue or plot revenge. They relied on God. They cried out to the Almighty, "O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord." Lastly, we know that we are not alone for all Jesus' followers experience hate without cause at times in their lives.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 35:19-21.
III. Rise to My Defense LORD (35:22-28)
* The image titled, "Letter Against God Presented in the Temple" is from "The Bible and its Story" book, authored by Charles Horne, 1909. It is now in public domain.
>7. How did David perceive the Lord in verse 22? Was he correct? What does it mean when his foes say, "Aha, just what we wanted!"?
* Psalm 35:22-25 "O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord.
23 Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord.
24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, O LORD my God; do not let them gloat over me.
25 Do not let them think, "Aha, just what we wanted!" or say, "We have swallowed him up."
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* The Lord sees and yet he is silent. He waits. He knows and yet he does nothing. He remains far from me. The Lord appears to sleep while I am in distress. I am falsely put to shame and disgrace and the Lord does not defend me. This is what David experienced. This is what David pleads will end.
Why does God wait? Why does he do nothing? Why doesn't he stop this? How can he sleep? "Master, Master, we're going to drown! Don't you care that we are about to drown?" (Luke 8:24)
Desperation can lead to despair. Despair can lead to depression. Depression can lead to hopelessness. Hopelessness can be just before the end. I don't want to go to the end. I just want this to end and I go beyond. Bring me beyond the end Lord.
Several reasons why the Lord does not act on my behalf are possible. I know many possible reasons. And I know all of them are for my good. Does the why matter, O you of little faith? I have to accept and be content with where I am at. I pray for deliverance. I pray, "Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord. Let this end and me walk away a free man."
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 35:22-25.
>8. What were the people doing to David? How did he respond? What general direction does he give to those who support him? What does he promise to do? (28)
* Psalm 35:26-28 "May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27 May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, "The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant."
28 My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long."
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* Enemies of the children of God will express great, often malicious, pleasure and self-satisfaction when they see the children of God in distress, especially due to their actions and lies. When this happened to David he asked that his enemies be put to shame, confusion, and disgrace when he was vindicated. And David was vindicated. The Lord responded to his prayer by delivering David with truth in the company of his enemies. All knew the Lord had worked a miracle on David's behalf when the truth exposed their lies.
The children of God delighted in David's vindication. The defense in the form of evidence and argument was brought forward that justified David and exposed the lies. David did not back down when the enemies spoke lies. He did not adopt their lies. He stood for truth.
When the truth is revealed the children of God say, "The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant." "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:31-32, 34-36
