Bible Studies
The Lord Is My Salvation (Psa. 35)
Series: Additional StudiesIntroduction:
1. In our study this morning we observed that God’s judgment was coming on the enemies of Israel (Ezek. 25:1-28:23). 2. We noted that God brings affliction on those who afflict others and brings deliverance to the afflicted (2 Thess. 1:6-9). 3. Psa. 35 speaks of this same kind of thing.a. God is presented as the one who saves from enemies.
b. And as one who rescues from malicious witnesses.
4. It is identified as a Psalm of David and falls generally into a category of Psalms known as Psalms of deliverance.Discussion:
I. Fight for me as a warrior (verses 1-10).A. In this first section David calls on God to fight for him.
1. He would have God come to his help with buckler, shield, spear and battle-axe to meet those pursing him (2-3).
2. He would have God say to him, “I am your salvation” (3)
B. He asks that they be ashamed and dishonored who are seeking his life (4).
C. He would have them to be turned back and humiliated who have devised evil against Him (4).
D. He wants them to be like chaff driven by the wind, the angel of the Lord driving them. And their way dark and slippery (5-6).
E. He is justified in his request for he has done nothing to deserve judgment (7).
F. It is justifiable therefore that they receive what they intend to bring on him (8).
G. The resulting action from David is praise to the Lord (9-10).
H. Ethical implications throughout this text.
1. It is unfair for the powerful to take advantage of those less powerful (10).
2. Punishment should fit the crime (7-8). Cf. Ex. 21:24.
3. It is right to “get involved,” to contend with aggressors who would devise evil against the innocent.
4. How does this relate to the principle of turning the other cheek? (Matt. 5:38ff) Doing good to those who hate you (Rom. 12:14ff); loving your enemies (Matt. 5:43ff)?
5. Observe the relationship between Rom. 12:14ff and Rom. 13:1ff. Cf. 1 Pet. 2:13ff. Note the statement: “’Vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (cf. Deut. 32:35-36.
II. Be my defender against malicious witnesses (verses 11-26).A. This section focuses on God as a judge (cf. v. 24).
1. While I have identified this section with the statement, “Be my defender . . .” God is not portrayed as defender as we might think. He is not trying to “get us off for some crime we have committed.”
2. He is the judge seeking the truth, so that He makes a fair judgment.
B. Malicious witnesses rise up.
1. These witnesses are not focused on the truth in the case, but in getting the upper and. Their intent is to take advantage.
2. They ask things that David does not know about. He is innocent. He has no knowledge of the crime.
C. They repay me evil for good (12).
1. It is fair to repay good with good.
2. It is gracious to repay evil with good.
3. It is wrong to repay good with evil.
4. Israel had repaid God’s good gifts with evil (Deut. 1:27; Ezek. 16:15-22).
5. Jezebel had hired malicious witnesses against Naboth (1 Kings 21:11-14).
D. How has David treated these good?
1. When they were sick, he grieved and prayed (13-14).
2. He treated them as friends and brothers (14).
E. How they repaid him evil? (15).
1. When he stumbled, they rejoiced.
2. They slandered him. He says, “Without ceasing.”
3. He calls them “smiters.” They hit him when he was down.
4. Rom. 12:15 says we are to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. These rejoiced when he was weeping; they wept when he was rejoicing.
5. They gnashed at him with their teeth. Stephen (Acts 9) experienced this same kind of thing. Innocent, but murdered, at the hands of those who gnashed their teeth at him.
F. David’s appeal to God for rescue (17).
G. David’s promised response (18).
1. Thanks and praise.
2. Worship.
H. Verses 19-26.
III. The result of the Lord’s vindication summarized (verses 27-28).A. This changes direction somewhat.
1. Instead of focusing on those doing evil it focuses on those who favor his vindication.
2. They say, “The Lord be magnified.” Let God be honored who delights in the prosperity of His servant. In other words, they honor the judge who has vindicated the innocent.
B. And so David declares God’s righteousness and praises Him.
1. When the innocent is vindicated the judge is honored.
2. When the innocent is condemned by a judge who is unfair that judge is dishonorable.
Conclusion:
1. We can learn many things from this Psalm. 2. Our behavior is to be modeled after God’s own behavior. Do you defend the innocent? Rescue those who would be ravaged? 3. Are you like those numbered among David’s enemies? Do you fight against the innocent? Set a net to trap and take advantage? Devise evil against others? Rejoice when others stumble? Repay good with evil? Slander? Devise deceitful words? Say, “Aha, aha,” when you see an opportunity to destroy? 4. If that is who you are don’t be surprised when you find yourself fighting against God. He rescues the innocent from people like you. He fights against people like you. He vindicates the innocent. He is a righteous judge. 5. We should be thankful and praise Him for His deliverances and vindications of the righteous.
