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Presented, July 22, 2007
Plead My Cause, O Lord!
Psalm 35
Tonight, we continue our study of the Psalms, noting the 35th psalm.
This psalm is the first truly imprecatory psalm. That means it is a psalm in which David requests of God that He bring vengeance against his enemies. We will discuss this in a moment. In previous psalms we have noted some examples of these requests, but this psalm is more intense and direct. In our lesson tonight we will try to understand why David made such requests and we will also examine what our attitude toward such requests should be.
We are told it was written by David. This is another psalm about which we are not told the occasion that promoted its writing, which means that it could apply various different occasions in David’s life. However, most commentators believe it describes a time early in his life when he is being pursued by King Saul. The reason give is how the psalm begins. David begins by saying, “Plead my cause, O Lord.” That phrase is found in 1 Samuel 24:15 where we read of David sparing Saul in the wilderness of En Gedi. David was fleeing Saul and hides in a cave where Saul and his men rest. David has the chance to slay King Saul but chooses rather to cut off the corner of his robe instead. The next day, from a distance, David lets Saul know that he could have killed him but spared his life. Saul returns home for a while as a result of that. Keep this in mind as we discuss what David requests.
I. Imprecatory Psalms
a.
What is an imprecatory psalm?
It is a psalm that involves a request of God to curse another because of one’s
unrighteousness.
They are often perceived as personal vendettas, but in reality they are requests
for God’s divine vengeance – at least by David.
b. Why did David write this way?
i. First of all, because of the physical condition he was in. David was being hindered from serving God as he desired to do. The reasons for his persecutions were unjust. David desires relief, as we all would in a similar circumstance.
ii.
Second, understand also the physical nature of
Israel. It was a physical kingdom and law. Also, God had made a promise to
David. He had already been anointed king and God had great plans for him (1
Samuel 16). For those plans to be accomplished required God’s physical
intervention at times. God’s help was needed in crushing his enemies who were
also God’s enemies.
Contrast that with the spiritual nature of our warfare.
iii. Furthermore, it was not a request of hate, as this psalm shows. NOT was it purely for selfish motives. David desired that God be glorified. In fact, if the context we have quoted is the occasion for this writing, then David’s request is anything but hateful. David leaves the judgment in God’s hands.
c. Another interesting observation about this psalm is to note how as it progresses, David becomes more calm in his request, leaving it up to God. The psalm can be divided into 3 parts.
i. His request (1-10)
ii. His compliant – the reason (11-18)
iii. His plea – (19-28)
d. AT the end of each part – David promises to praise God.
II. The Psalm Itself
a. Plead my cause (1-10)
i. David asks God to fight against those who fight against him. (1)
ii. When he requests that the Lord take up shield and buckler he is requesting that God defend him (a buckler is a larger shield). (2)
iii.
He requests that God use His weapons to stop them.
(3)
Say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation’ (3) – David want’s assurance form
God. He is in the midst of a time of trials and tribulations.
NOTE: Do we ever find ourselves in such circumstances? Frustrated
with the progression of evil, ungodliness and false religions. We begin to
wonder what is going on and why God is allowing such things to happen. If we
find ourselves frustrated – don’t give up, but put your trust in God. That is
what David did.
iv. He request that instead of letting them prevail, let them be put to shame (4), and confused (4). Let them fade away the way that wind carries away the dust. (5) (I think of the Santa Ana winds which blow the smog out of the air over our city. After strong winds we can more clearly see the mountains).
v.
In vs. 7 David notes that their actions are NOT just.
Their intentions are evil and unjustified. This is not even vigilante justice,
it is simple hatred for what is right! No wonder, David cries to God for help.
NOTE: Consider 1 Peter 4:15-16 which notes that when we suffer for
Christ, it ought not to be as an evil doer or a thief or a busybody in other
peoples matters. Then we DESERVE punishment. Also 1 Peter 2:19-20. It is when
we are persecuted “for righteousness sake” that we can cry to God.
Let them trip up and be caught in their own traps. (7-8) As it often happens –
the wicked are caught in their craftiness and punished with the same severity
they meted out to others.
vi. (9-10) David promises to glorify God as he is delivered. He notes to power of God to deliver the poor from the powerful and corrupt. NOTE: God’s judgment is just and with impartiality. He also promises to glorify God with all his bones – meaning his all.
b. Their false accusations - 11-18
i.
The witnesses against him are harsh – which, to me,
means they are intentionally hateful and fully aware of their accusations –
which are LIES!
They ask me things that I do not know – means they are charges he had never
heard of. Have you ever been falsely accused of something? When the accuser
speaks, you don’t even know what he is talking about. Like Jesus as His enemies
sought false witness against Him so that they could murder (crucify) Him.
The way they treated David was not right. In fact, it was evil in place of his
good. (11-12)
NOTE: It is truly sad that we live in a society where many HATE
godliness and those who stand for it. For example: We oppose homosexuality – we
are considered homophobic (haters of homosexuals). We oppose abortion – we are
trying to impose our religion on them. We believe in God – we are called
stupid. More frankly stated there are many who want to destroy Christianity and
they will do or say whatever they have to so that we will be stopped.
ii.
On the other hand, David acted like Christians ought
to act. He was concerned about those who were his enemies. When they had a
need, he prayed for them and even fasted on their behalf. (13-14).
NOTE: How do we act toward the needs of our enemies? Do we pray
for them as we ought to? Would we help them if we had the means to do so?
iii. But his enemies rejoiced in his sorrows and difficulties. In fact, they did all they could to make matters worse. And they were unrelenting (15-16)
iv. David request, ‘Lord, how long will you look on...” (17) That is the question we all ask. WHY does He put up with so much evil? How much longer is He going to let it happen? Revelation 6:10 describes the martyred souls under the altar.
v.
Vs. 18, ‘I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
I will praise you among many people.” David again promises to glorify God
before others. He will not forget his Lord when he is delivered.
NOTE: We must always praise God, both in good times and bad
times. Sadly, there are many who go to God when things are bad and expect Him
to help them. But as soon as they recover, they again forget Him and soon
revert back to their old, sinful, ungrateful ways. Don’t let that happen.
c. Do not let them rejoice - 19-28
i.
David again requests that his enemies not be given
occasion to rejoice. He notes that their actions are “without a cause” -
meaning that he is truly innocent. (19). Realize, David is
approaching God – who knows and sees all things. His observations are not blind
or intended to hide his own weaknesses. But what his enemies are doing is
inexcusable and wrong.
Is today any different?
ii.
Their desires are not only against David, but also all
others who are with him (and thus against them) and those who are the quite ones
in the land. What I see in this is not the cowardly, but the humble and those
who suffer long for the kingdom’s sake. Much like Jesus as He opened not His
mouth when being accused.
Vs. 21 simply notes that they accuse and LIE to justify their actions. And also
that they will twist whatever they can to make their false case.
iii. Next, in vs. 22, David request that the Lord not keep silent in these things. In this I David “reminding” the Lord of what these enemies are doing against Him and calling for Him to stand up and do something to stop the evil. (23)
iv. David asks for vindication in vs. 24. Note how this request is, “according to Your righteousness.”
v. He also wants them to be ashamed and humiliated because of what they have done (vs. 25-26).
vi. Finally, David makes a request on behalf of his friends who are in favor of the righteous cause. (27) Let them be able to shout with joy. This is made possible when His will prevails and evil is overcome.
vii. Vs. 28, again David concludes with personal praise. Here he says he will speak of God’s righteousness all day long. What about us? How much do we praise God, especially as He shows His favor to us?
III. Can we pray such a prayer today?
a. First, consider what is our attitude toward our enemy ought to be?
i. Matthew 5:43-45 – pray for them. Love them, bless them and do good for them.
ii. Romans 12:17-21 – Do not repay evil for evil. Let God be the ultimate judge. NOTE: Realize that God is a severe God to His enemies (Rom. 11:22) and one day, the enemy and all who serve him will be tormented day and night forever and ever. So let Him take care of injustices for righteousness sake.
b.
Can we make such requests to God?
While I am not sure about using words to the extent that David did here, I do
believe we can request from God help in defeating our enemies, if they be His
enemies as well. But in this we must always make such desires according to His
will and for His good. Our desire is that in all things He may be glorified – 1
Peter 4:11.
When we pray for those who persecute us – are we praying for the persecutions to
continue? No! We NEED to be praying that God’s will always prevail. Perhaps in
doing good for them we will “heap coals of fire upon their head” and thereby end
their tyranny. The best case scenario is that they too turn to God. In our
prayers against our enemies that ought to always be our attitude.
Again we learn from another psalm of David many lessons. Let us put this and all other texts of scripture in their proper context. Think about it!