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Day 272

Psalm 35:1 "Plead my cause, O LORD..."

Day 272 – Psalm 35

“Plead my cause, O LORD…” Psalm 35:1

SUPERSCRIPTION “A Psalm of David”

This simple superscription simply affirms that David was the author.

AN IMPRECATORY PRAYER

One of the most challenging psalms to read and understand are those with a strong imprecatory element. Psalm 35 is one such psalm. It is challenging to understand how we may interpret this imprecatory psalm accurately and apply it meaningfully.

APPEALING TO GOD

The Psalmist David began with a humble plea to the Lord.

“Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me;
Fight against those who fight against me.
Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help.
Also draw out the spear; and stop those who pursue me.
Say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation.'”
Psalm 35:1-3

1. Enemies identified

a) They strove against David.
b) They fought him.
c) They seemed to have the upper hand for they were pursuing David.

2. Plea entered

a) To have the Lord “plead (his) cause”.
i) For David
ii) Against the enemies
b) To have the Lord fight for him
i) Description of the Lord putting on His armour and readying Himself for battle (Psalm 35:2-3 [Cf. Deuteronomy 1:30]).
ii) To plead with the Lord to stand up for David and be against those who persecuted him (Psalm 35:2-3)
iii) To have the Lord as his Saviour, delivering him (Psalm 35:3c)