Tyndale Open Study NotesPsalms 35

In this lament, the Lord's troubled servant asks God to notice his situation and defend him.

The psalmist desires the Lord's salvation. The language may seem harsh, but it comes from a wish for justice and for the Lord to help the needy and oppressed.

• A dark and slick path suggests instability and sudden disaster under the Lord's judgment (see Psalms 69:23; 73:18; 82:5; 107:10; 143:3).

• The angel of the LORD is an agent of judgment as well as salvation.

Nothing in the universe can compare with the Lord (see Psalms 86:8; 89:6, 8; Isaiah 40:18, 25).

The psalmist presents the Lord with the reasons for his suffering. Evil has many faces. He is tired and worn out, and he knows that only the Lord can help him.

False witnesses want nothing but violence (see Psalms 11:4–6; 54:3).

The psalmist's attackers gnashed their teeth to show their jealousy.

In this prayer for justice, the psalmist faces a crisis so great that only the Lord can resolve it. The psalmist chooses the right path and believes that vengeance belongs to the Lord.

God’s patience allows the wicked to continue in their evil ways. Because of this, their hearts grow harder and they find reasons to justify their behavior.

John applied this claim of innocence (see also Psalm 69:4) to Jesus (John 15:25).

Aha, aha!: This Hebrew word (he’akh) expresses a feeling of joy.

The psalmist calls on the Lord to judge the wicked and to rescue the godly and bring them joy.