A Human Picture...of God Psalm 35
David may have been getting chased by Saul, or his son Absolam may have been fighting with him. It is not clear.
What is evident is David did not desire to kill his enemies. He preferred God would intervene and remedy David's current confrontation. David wanted to find solutions God's way.
David often wrote of God through a "human picture." He described God as a soldier, fighting for those who trust in Him with a shield and spear. David also wrote of "angels of the Lord," who assisted in carrying out God's righteous lifestyle.
Here is a paraphrase of Psalm 35. I reference the NIV, The Amplified, Contemporary English Version, New Living Translation, and The Message.
Psalm 35
Oppose those Lord, who oppose me. Not because they oppose, but because of their cruel methods and techniques.
These opponents attack the innocent without heart. They mock and heckle those who are not with them, and simply bully the weak and innocent.
Lord, take hold of Your weapon, any one of them nearby. Let them see the armor You wear, and raise Your shield that it might blind their eyes as it glistens in the sunlight. Do this for me!
Aim Your spear and throw the javelin. Go after those whose only desire is to hurt others for their own selfish cause. They have no desire to dialogue, but bring destruction to any who stand opposed. Show them Your promise to protect and save. Let Your actions bring reassurance and confidence to those who trust in You. I appeal for Your action now.
These thugs try and knife me in the back. Bring shame and disgrace to their foolish acts. Frustrate their plans to only kill those who question their motives. Humiliate and turn them back in dismay. Let their objectives be nothing more than cinders blown away in a high wind, with Your angel working the bellows. As they run in retreat, allow the path be dark and slippery, with Your angel in hot pursuit.
I wish no harm, yet when I come in peace, they place a hidden net for me as I enter, hoping I walk over and fall into a deep hole they have dug...for me.
Let Your sudden ruin seize them. Let them fall into the very net placed for me. I will celebrate You with a joyful sound. You grant space that I might run loose and free, ever grateful You have saved me again!
Your love for the innocent cause my very bones to laugh. My heart sings like birds who greet the morning. There is none like Him! You save the poor and needy, rescue the helpless, and bring safety against those too strong.
Ruthless and hostile accusers speak against me. They appear out of nowhere, stand up in front of others only to badger, and speak of things I know nothing about. Their references are only those who agree with them. I find myself in despair, full of bereavement.
I think of the times when they were sick and full of fear. I didn't think about eating or going out, and I wore only black clothing. My prayers for them were heavy, like lead in my gut, and felt like I was in danger of losing a close friend. I stuck by them, heavy-hearted, feeling like a motherless child. Yet when I face trouble, their happiness is in my demise.
Riffraff join their chorus, singing insults like vicious lions. The crazy part? I don't even know some of these people. Yet my joy remains in being in Your Presence, amidst Your mighty people.
Don't allow these liars and godless jesters have a party at others expense. They hate, yet do not know why. They wink and roll their eyes, like members of a secret society. Living peacefully in the land is dialogue they have no desire to engage. No good comes from those who gossip, their mouths speak lies, accompanied by ugly grins. They shout, "Ha! You thought you would get away with it. Now we have proof. We have seen it with our own eyes and have caught you hands down!"
Lord, I know it is You who see. You know what is true and contains the real proof. You know all about it. Don't abandon me now!
I pray You might wake yourself up, arise to my defense, attend to my cause, and do what You think is right. My life is on the line here, don't make me pay for their good time.
Judge me according to Your righteousness and Your justice. Let them not find joy from my destruction. Let them not stand at my funeral and say "Ah. Finally! We got what we wanted. He has been swallowed up in his own foolish demise and belief. Now, he is destroyed."
Lord, may their words return to them with shame and humiliation.
For those who desire the best for others, let these words be the final words in life. Let these words ring true everywhere:
God is great! All things work together for the good. Be magnified in our daily lives, those who delight in You and takes pleasure in being Your humble servant.
