Psalm 35

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The 35th psalm (according to the Greek numbering the 34th) is a psalm of David from the first book of the psalter .

structure

  • Verses 1–10: First supplication: asking for God's help in the conflict
    • Verses 1–3: Call for God's armed support, formulated militarily
    • V. 4-8: Request of the prayer
      • V. 4–6: Wishes to curse the adversary
      • V. 7–8: Grounds for the indictment
    • V. 9-10: Vow of praise
  • Verses 11-18: Second supplication: injustice of the enemy and righteousness of the prayer
    • Verses 11-12: Description of hostilities
    • Verses 13-14: Contrast in the behavior of the prayer
    • V. 15-16: Description of further hostility
    • V. 17: Request for salvation
    • V. 18: Renewed pledge of praise
  • V. 19-28: Third supplication
    • V. 19: Introduction, request for protection from the behavior of the enemy
    • V. 20–21: Further description of hostilities
    • Verses 22-25: Invocation of God against the adversary
    • Verses 26-27: Consequences of divine action for enemies and friends
    • V. 28: Praising conclusion

Genre and content

Psalm 35 is a prayer alternate, in the action, prayer and thanksgiving vows three times together. The heading is uncertain and only reads in Hebrew לדודwhich can mean “by David” as well as “for David”.

The traditional interpretation places the emergency situation of the prayer described in the psalm in the life of David , when Saul persecuted him and the king's courtiers slandered him ( 1 Sam 24  EU ). It is also considered that the psalm is from the later days of David, when an uproar raged.

The worshiper appears as a man with a clear conscience, but one who is distressed due to the persecution and malice of his enemies. But he does not want to take revenge, but calls God to his comrade in military metaphors. Because of this imagery, alluding to violence and militancy, he is traditionally counted among the Psalms of vengeance or Psalms of justice.

reception

The psalm was set to music by, among others

“ The quiet in the country ” (v. 20) were a common image for the Pietists in the 18th century ; it was picked up by Gerhard Tersteegen , among others (for example in the song “ God is present )”.

Web links

Commons : Psalm 35  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Donald Guthrie: Commentary on the Bible. AT and NT in one band. R. Brockhaus Verlag, 2003, ISBN 3417247403 , p. 569
  2. ↑ a b c Commentary by Charles Haddon Spurgeon on Psalm 35