Psalms 35:1-28

There is agony in this song. The singer is sore beset with enemies. They are striving with him, fighting against him. They are plotting against him, treacherously spreading a net for his feet. He cries out to Jehovah for help, vowing that he will offer praise for deliverance (verses Psa 35:1-10). The singer touches deeper depths. The cruelty and oppression are being shown by those whom in the past he has befriended. In their time of trouble he had mourned with them. In the day of his halting they have taken advantage of weakness, still further to wound.

Again he cried to the Lord for rescue and promised to praise Him publicly (verses Psa 35:11-18). And again the same prayer is offered. The foes are not only cruel and treacherous, they are full of bitterness and taunt and mock the suffering man. In his agony he cried out for help, for the third time promising to praise Him (verses Psa 35:19-28).

Before we criticize the singer for his attitude toward his foes, let us imagine ourselves in his place. In no sense is the level of spiritual realization in this psalm equal to that in many others. One of the greatest values of the collection is its revelation of how, under all circumstances, the soul may turn to God.