Psalm 35
A Psalm of David
Pt. 2

If this Psalm was, as scholars think, written during the outlaw days of David, when Saul sought to kill him, it gives us some interesting insight into the dynamics of the disfavor into which he had been thrown and the intense hatred that Saul had for him. The king, indeed, was mentally ill and was being pushed and oppressed by at least one evil spirit, but David seemingly saw others involved in a plot against him.


We mentioned in the previous sections the “hangers on” that Saul trusted and kept around him, men who were seeking to “climb the ladder” of influence with their ruler and David certainly seemed to think that there was a cadre of them who were plotting to undo him, making false accusations to Saul about him.

11 False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. 12 They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. 13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. 14 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.

False tales were being circulated about him by people whom he knew, people who had been on the receiving end of much good that David had done for them. And it seems that at least one of them had been greatly helped and prayed for by Jesse’s son. This may certainly have been his attitude toward Saul when he learned of his illness but the whole tenor of this piece suggests the involvement of others who had likewise known personally the kindness and goodness of the man.

It is always intensely more difficult to suffer a wound when it is inflicted by one we have loved and cared for deeply. David demonstrates the bitter taste of that reality and reflects them in the imprecatory elements of this and other Psalms.

15 But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: 16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

David here envisioned, maybe had even experienced, the gossiping and the continually manufactured lies, half-truths and distortions which had been shared in laughing tones by those who conspired to see him displaced so that one of them might (hopefully) take his place and everyone else could advance one step toward power and influence with Saul. He saw them, as it were, in the parties and social gatherings of the palace, grouped together and sharing their lurid and false stories concerning him, each attempting to outdo the other.

No doubt, the “tearing” and “gnashing” of the teeth is an allegorical representation of how they tore him apart with their words and their false witness against him.

It is sure that this is a picture of the fact that there was no longer any moral or spiritual leadership coming from the king, a sad state for any nation.

17 Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.

This was a question David often asked, “How long must I endure this, how long until you move on my behalf?” All time spent in suffering seems unbearably long and this time in David’s life went on for far longer that he desired. He was not in rebellion against God’s Will but he was being properly importunate in his pursuit of an answer.

18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.

He imagined, dreamed and longed for that day he was certain was coming, that day when he was crowned as King of Israel according to the Revealed Will of God through Samuel.

And, he ended this section with a plaintive cry.

19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. 20 For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.

There are two great fears of the saint: (1) that he will fail God himself, and (2) that the enemies of God will prevail. These fears together with their confidence in the Lord drive them on.

— May 29, 2020