Psalm 35 - When You Need a Warrior
In Psalm 23, David needed a Shepherd.
Background, setting for this Psalm - ! Samuel 24 & Heb. 3:18-19
"We must wrestle earnestly in prayer, like men contending with a deadly enemy for life." J.C. Ryle
Yes to Jesus brings enemies-
David: Philistines/Goliath
Brothers/jealous
Saul/jealous
In the battle of spiritual warfare, we have to call on God for victory and protection.
Only divine intervention will defeat Satan; he is our adversary.
David is asking God to devastate them. He is call on God to send the Angel of the Lord (only used 2 times in Psalms - Cpt. 34:7 and now in 34 -- referring to the Christ Who would come).
Vs. 1-3 David cries out to Go and asks Him (this is his prayer:
- to oppose
- to declare
- to put on Your armor
- to take up Your shield
- to prepare
- to come to my aid
- to lift up Your spear and javelin
- to block their way
- to tell me, assure, that You have heard and that You have it covered
("I am your salvation.")
I give it all to you.
2 Cor. 10:5...we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Vs. 4-10 David's advice regarding his adversaries:
"Now, let me tell you how to do it."
- Humiliate and discgrace them
- Confuse them
- Blow them away
- Make their path dark and slippery
- Pursue them, chase them down
Vs. 7 After all, I did them no wrong.
But they laid a trap for me.
Vs. 8 So ruin them.
Let them be caught in the trap they have set for me.
Vs. 9 Then I will rejoice.
I will be glad.
I will praise.
Vs. 10 Lord, who compares to You!
Who rescues the: weak and helpless
poor and needy
Vs. 11-18
David presents his case against them. Almost a courtroom setting.
David is aware of who his enemies are.
Vs. 13-14
I have even fasted and prayed for them. I was sad with them, my friends and family, so sad, it was like I grieved for my mother.
Vs. 15-16
but... look how they treat me,
some don't even know me.
Vs. 17 How long, Lord, will You look and do nothing?
Vs. 22-25
O, Lord, You know all about this -
Do not stay silent.
Don't abandon me.
Don'-Don't. Do, do take up my cause.
David has taken his eyes off of God (the God that others serve) and put them on his friend, God, the One he knows so intimately.
How do I explain or how do you explain going to God, the Holy One, and going to the One you now know as friend?
What does ths psalm teach us about how we are to pray to God?
Have you ever met someone who you respect so much that you view them from a distance? (i.e. Billy Graham)-You smile and say, "Hi, tell him of your respect, etc., but Franklin gets up in his face and they talk about everything, every emotion. He tells his side, their side, and he knows his dad will understand. His confidence in his dad has been proven over the years. He needs to talk and his dad is willing to listen. We need to talk and our Dad is willing to listen.
Vs. 26 I am trusting in Your attitude -
David is pleading his case.
David is not a vengeful man.
He could have had Saul's life. I Samuel 24:4-11
He was known for forgiving his enemies.
Christians should do good to those who mistreat them, but God will defend His own - The Battle belongs to the Lord - not us.
Vs. 27-29
As always, David encourages others to praise God.
Give joy to those who stand with me.
Great is the Lord - He enjoys helping us!
I will tell everyone about You, my God,
and I will praise You all day long.
Holy is the Lord, God Almighty -
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