English Basic Explanation - Chapter 35

Chapter 35

As in many other chapters of Tehillim, in Psalm 35 David prays to God to assist him against his enemies, those who seek to destroy him.  This Psalm is exceptional, however, in the detail with which David describes the tensions between him and his adversaries.  He avows that their hostilities are entirely unjustified, that he has done nothing to invite such hatred and malice (verse7).  To the contrary, David would pray on their behalf in their times of need (verse 13) and has felt nothing but brotherly love towards them (verse 14).  They, however, exult in his downfall and have spared no efforts to destroy him.

David speaks here as well of witnesses who would falsely testify to his owing money (verse 11).

Perhaps the most powerful section of this Psalm is the opening verses (1-3), in which David petitions God to take up arms and wage his battles for him.  David feels completely helpless against his adversaries, who are not bound by any moral constraints.  Without reservations, his foes are prepared to resort to even the most corrupt, degenerate means of achieving their goal of ruining David.  David recognizes the futility of fighting against such enemies, and therefore begs the Almighty to wage these battles on his behalf.  When God takes up arms on behalf of the weak and helpless victims of oppression, they are capable of defeating even the mightiest tyrants (verse 10).  David thus turns to God as his only means of escape from his tormentors.

At times it indeed appears unfair that the wicked men of the world have access to a much larger arsenal than the righteous, as they are not restricted by pangs of conscience or scruples.  They seem to have a distinct advantage over their ethical victims.  Psalm 35 reminds us, however, that God wages the battles against corruption and tyranny, and His arsenal is, of course, far more powerful than those of the world's evil, crooked despots.  David's painful description of the oppression he endured teaches that regardless of who threatens and which means he employs, we can always appeal to God and ask that He fight what would otherwise be our helpless battles, and wage our wars in our stead.