Psalm Thrity-Five: God Has Big Shoulders

Psalm 35

Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me;

    fight against those who fight against me.

 

Take up shield and armor;

    arise and come to my aid.

 

Brandish spear and javelin

    against those who pursue me.

Say to me,

    “I am your salvation.”

May those who seek my life

    be disgraced and put to shame;

may those who plot my ruin

    be turned back in dismay.

 

May they be like chaff before the wind,

    with the angel of the Lord driving them away;

 

may their path be dark and slippery,

    with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.

Since they hid their net for me without cause

    and without cause dug a pit for me,

 

may ruin overtake them by surprise—

    may the net they hid entangle them,

    may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.

 

Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord

    and delight in his salvation.

 

My whole being will exclaim,

    “Who is like you, Lord?

You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,

    the poor and needy from those who rob them.”

Ruthless witnesses come forward;

    they question me on things I know nothing about.

 

They repay me evil for good

    and leave me like one bereaved.

 

Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth

    and humbled myself with fasting.

When my prayers returned to me unanswered,

 

    I went about mourning

    as though for my friend or brother.

I bowed my head in grief

    as though weeping for my mother.

 

But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;

    assailants gathered against me without my knowledge.

    They slandered me without ceasing.

 

Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;

    they gnashed their teeth at me.

How long, Lord, will you look on?

    Rescue me from their ravages,

    my precious life from these lions.

 

I will give you thanks in the great assembly;

    among the throngs I will praise you.

Do not let those gloat over me

    who are my enemies without cause;

do not let those who hate me without reason

    maliciously wink the eye.

 

They do not speak peaceably,

    but devise false accusations

    against those who live quietly in the land.

 

They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha!

    With our own eyes we have seen it.”

Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent.

    Do not be far from me, Lord.

Awake, and rise to my defense!

    Contend for me, my God and Lord.

 

Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God;

    do not let them gloat over me.

 

Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!”

    or say, “We have swallowed him up.”

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.

 

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.”

My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,

    your praises all day long.

-

All throughout David's life, he was treated poorly by those around him. Even his own son rebelled against him and attempted to take the throne from David. However, David always turned toward the Lord for help. I think we can be tempted to get angry with God when life hurts, when people disappoint us, and when we are afraid. But, can we take a page from David's book and turn toward the Lord in these times? David says, "Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent. Do not be far from me. Rise to my defense!" Today, use this Psalm as a prayer to the Lord. Add in whatever you are feeling right now, today! God has big shoulders and he can handle all your fears, all your struggles, all your hardships, and all your doubt. In fact, he wants to be invited into those emotions, feelings, hurts, and struggles. He cares so deeply for you and so, pour your heart out to him and accept his presence today!

What stood out to you in this Psalm?

Have you ever been treated poorly by others?