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Day 274

Psalm 35:6b "Let the angel of the LORD pursue them..."

Day 274 – Psalm 35

“Let the angel of the LORD pursue them…” Psalm 35:6b

IMPRECATORY ELEMENTS

The imprecatory elements in Psalm 35 are all too clear. The distinctive indication of the imprecatory statement is introduced by “Let them be…”

The pleas to the Lord to judge the wicked are carefully measured against their sinful thoughts and plans:-

1. Shame and dishonour

“Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonour
who seek after my life…”
Psalm 35:4a

a) There is no honour in seeking to destroy a person; there is only shame.
b) Dishonour and shame are wished upon the wicked.

2. Confusion

“Let those be turned back and brought to confusion who
plot my hurt…”
Psalm 35:4b

a) Those who plot against others often think themselves cunning and shrewd.
b) Confusion and failure are wished upon those who plan sinister plots.

3. Divine pursuit

“Let them be like chaff before the wind, and let the
angel of the LORD chase them.”
Psalm 35:5

a) Those who seek to victimize often think they are very powerful.
b) The avenging angel of God pursuing the wicked is wished against the evil ones so that they may know their impunity.
c) The worthlessness of the wicked is compared to chaff before the wind (Psalm 1:4).

4. Falling into their own pit and destruction finally

“For without cause they have hidden their net for me
in a pit, which they have dug without cause for my life.
Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly, and
let his net that he has hidden catch himself; into
that very destruction let him fall.”
Psalm 35:7-8

a) Those who dig pits against the righteous are most wicked.
b) Falling into their own pit would be justice well served.
c) Unexpected destruction is wished upon those who lay deadly traps