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A Study of an Imprecatory Prayer II

Text: Psalm 35:9-16
30 September 2019

A STUDY OF AN IMPRECATORY PRAYER II

Three references to be borne in mind:

1. With reference to God

2. With reference to the enemy

3. With reference to the petitioner

WITH REFERENCE TO THE PETITIONER

1. Rejoicing in the LORD

a) Joyful in God   (Psalm 35:9a)
b) Rejoicing in His salvation   (Psalm 35:9b)
i) In faith
ii) In hope
iii) In anticipation

2. Glorying in the LORD

All my bones shall say:   (Psalm 35:10a)
a) Who is like You?
b) Delivering the poor from him who is too strong   (Psalm 35:10b)
c) The poor and the needy from him who plunders   (Psalm 35:10c)

WITH REFERENCE TO THE ENEMY

1. Fierce witnesses rise up   (Psalm 35:11)

2. Their attacks

a) They ask me things that I do not know   (Psalm 35:12a)
b) They rewarded me evil for good   (Psalm 35:12b)
c) To the sorrow of my soul   (Psalm 35:12c)

WITH REFERENCE TO THE PETITIONER

1. But as for me:

2. Good and meaningful expressions:

a) When they were sick My clothing was sackcloth   (Psalm 35:13)
b) I humbled myself with fasting and my prayer would return to my own heart   (Psalm 35:13)
c) I paced about as though he were my friend or brother   (Psalm 35:14a)
d) I bowed down heavily as one who mourns for his mother   (Psalm 35:14b)

WITH REFERENCE TO THE ENEMY

1. But in my adversity   (Psalm 35:15)

2. Ignorance of the true feelings of the enemy   (Psalm 35:15)

a) They rejoiced and gathered together   (Psalm 35:15a)
b) Attackers gathered against me   (Psalm 35:15b)
c) They tore at me and did not cease   (Psalm 35:16a)
d) With ungodly mockers at feasts they gnashed at me with their teeth   (Psalm 35:16b)