Psalm 35:1-10
In putting these readings schedules together I’m never quite sure how to break up these longer Psalms. I originally scheduled verses 1-16 for today. The better breaks for Psalm 35 are 1-10, 11-18, and 19-28. One of my Study Bibles suggests that each of these sections is its own self-contained lament. You may recall the elements of a lament: a cry for help; the psalmist’s situation; expression of confidence; protestation of innocence or prayer for vindication; and grateful recognition for God’s help. We can see these in each of those three sections of Psalm 35. So today, a focus on 1-10.
Each of those lament items is in these ten verses. I’ll let you find them yourselves. I have just a few other comments. Three times in today’s verses we find the same word/phrases repeated – their “net” in verses 7 and 8, “the angel of the Lord” in verses 5 and 6, and “the poor” in verse 10. I see “the net” in David’s time as landmines and roadside IEDs in today’s world. Their “net” was designed to capture; today’s mines are designed to kill. Unfortunately that killing often results in civilian lives lost, especially children. The UN adopted a “Mine Ban Treaty” in 1997. Countries failing to sign this Treaty include China, Egypt, India, Israel, Pakistan, Russia and, perhaps surprisingly, the United States.
The ”angel of the Lord” appears today fighting against David’s enemies. We also see this “angel of the Lord” undertaking any number of other activities. An Internet search found that phrase in Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Judges, Zechariah, Matthew, Luke, and Acts. A busy “angel of the Lord”…
Finally, “the poor”, also translated as the afflicted or the needy. It seems to me that God has a special place in His heart for the poor, the afflicted, the needy. We need to follow His lead.