Psalm 35: Protection from My Enemies
YOU MIGHT BE tempted to look at this psalm as barbaric and primitive. It contains angry thoughts of revenge. When David feels hurt, the anger pours forth in an eloquent torrent. There is no sense of "I'm not supposed to feel this way." Christian maturity is not about reducing the highs and lows of emotions to a level plane, but of feeling deeply in a godly way. The issue is not how or what we feel, but what we do with our emotions. David shows the way.
Warming Up to God
Those who know God hunger for him. Before you begin your study, allow a desire for God to rise within you.
Read Psalm 35. »
Discovering the Word
- In your own words describe the different kinds of misfortune David would like to see inflicted on those who have hurt him (vv. 4-6, 8, 26).
- What reasons does David give for being so hurt and angry (vv. 4, 7, 11-16, 19-21)?
- What do verses 11-16 reveal about David's enemies?
- What does the cry "How long will you look on?" (v. 17) imply about David's sense of God's help?
- David continues with the description of his adversaries' behavior. What have his enemies done in verses 19-28 to hurt him?
Applying the Word
- We may not feel gracious toward those who hurt us, but we choose to act that way, not from feelings but from obedience to Jesus Christ. Who do you feel hostility and anger toward?
- When we come through a trying experience with a sense of victory, it is natural to think about what a good job we have done and how cleverly we have faced our problems. David, however, avoids the temptation of personal boasting and gives praise to God. How does waiting on the Lord for help keep us from taking credit that belongs to God?
Responding in Prayer
Ask God to bless those who have hurt you.
For Further Study
Forgiveness by Douglas Connelly