September 22nd, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Defend the Ones You Love!

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Lord God, You are my maker and redeemer. I bow before You and Your holy Word in humble adoration.

Read Psalm 35:1-28

[1]Of David. Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. [2] Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid. [3] Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, “I am your salvation.” [4] May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. [5] May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away; [6] may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them. [7] Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, [8] may ruin overtake them by surprise- may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin. [9] Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation. [10] My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, LORD? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.” [11] Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about. [12] They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved. [13] Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, [14] I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother. [15] But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; assailants gathered against me without my knowledge. They slandered me without ceasing. [16] Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me. [17] How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. [18] I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you. [19] Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye. [20] They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land. [21] They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it.” [22] LORD, you have seen this; do not be silent. Do not be far from me, Lord. [23] Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord. [24] Vindicate me in your righteousness, LORD my God; do not let them gloat over me. [25] Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!” or say, “We have swallowed him up.” [26] May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace. [27] May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.” [28] My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“Truth always has a way of clashing with the status quo, with the vested patterns of sinful behavior in which even religious people get stuck” (James C. Howell).

Think Further

The first three verses of this psalm, and then vs. 22-25, are an appeal to the Lord to draw swords for the psalmist against his enemies. In between, we hear what the psalmist wants for his enemies (4-8), how glad he will feel when they get it (9,10), and the wrong they have done him (11-21). Then the whole psalm is summed up in two prayers and a promise: a prayer against his enemies (26) and for his friends (27), and a promise of praise if the Lord will draw that sword (28).

What are we to make of this violent psalm? Some would argue that such language is incompatible with love for our enemies as commanded by Jesus (See Matt. 5:43-48). How can we love our enemies and pray for the Lord to strike them down at the same time? Jesus tells us to pray for them, not against them. It would be easy to say that we’ve been led beyond such language by Jesus until, that is, we notice that Jesus applies v. 19 to his own earthly experience.

Jesus talks about the world “hating” him (John 15:24), and says, “This is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason’” (John 15:25, quoting Psa. 35:19 or the very similar Psa. 69:4). Facing the horror of the cross, the rage of his enemies, and the hatred of his tormentors, Jesus recalls this psalm and says that it is “fulfilled” in his experience. Yes, it is perfectly okay to long for God to save us from injustice and to pray for our enemies to be confounded–but notice that the psalmist isn’t grabbing his own sword or plotting back. Like Jesus, he is leaving his vindication to God, and reaching for prayer, in honesty and trust.

Apply

Do you find it easier to be indignant on behalf of others, than for yourself? Why? Reflect on the injustice that angers you, and turn it to prayer.

Closing prayer

Merciful Lord, I pray to be able to release my relational issues to You instead of holding on to them tightly. Bless those who hurt me.

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