God of War and Love
A Psalm of David.
[1] Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me:
Fight against them that fight against me.
[2] Take hold of shield and buckler,
And stand up for mine help.
[3] Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me:
Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.
[4] Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul:
Let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
[5] Let them be as chaff before the wind:
And let the angel of the LORD chase them.
[6] Let their way be dark and slippery:
And let the angel of the LORD persecute them.
[7] For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit,
Which without cause they have digged for my soul.
[8] Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself:
Into that very destruction let him fall.
[9] And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD:
It shall rejoice in his salvation.
[10] All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him,
Yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?
[11] False witnesses did rise up;
They laid to my charge things that I knew not.
[12] They rewarded me evil for good
To the spoiling of my soul.
[13] But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting;
And my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
[14] I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother:
I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.
[15] But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together:
Yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:
[16] With hypocritical mockers in feasts,
They gnashed upon me with their teeth.
[17] Lord, how long wilt thou look on?
Rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
[18] I will give thee thanks in the great congregation:
I will praise thee among much people.
[19] Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me:
Neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
[20] For they speak not peace:
But they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.
[21] Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me,
And said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.
[22] This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence:
O Lord, be not far from me.
[23] Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment,
Even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
[24] Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness;
And let them not rejoice over me.
[25] Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it:
Let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
[26] Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt:
Let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.
[27] Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause:
Yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
[28] And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness
And of thy praise all the day long.
God of War and Love
David was a king acquainted with war. In Psalm 35, he speaks in the vernacular of a warrior and leader accustomed to facing many enemies on the battlefield. This chapter is his courageous prayer to God to lead him to total victory against his oppressors. He is equally unyielding in his call for their destruction and in his faith in God to perform it. David boldly asks God to “fight against them that fight against me”(35:1). David asks God to stand up for him, to take hold of shield and buckler. David sees the Lord as the strong leader of the battle. He is safe when God is at the forefront of the fight. David speaks of the spear, another weapon of war, for God to use against his persecutors. David asks God to confound and confuse his enemies, like a wise general carefully devising battle tactics to give his side an advantage.
David envisions the angel of the Lord chasing and persecuting those who desire to harm him, seeing them running away in fear. Ultimately, they will be destroyed, and they will be caught in their own nets that they laid out to ensnare him. “Into that very destruction let him fall” (35:8). David rejoices in the Lord for his salvation. He goes on to say that just as God aids the persecuted, he also helps the poor and the needy from those who are more powerful than him. Similarly, God helps David against his false accusers. David illustrates his response to their mistreatment: to humble himself and fast before the Lord. His tormentors continued to gnaw at him like lions, tearing and ripping his flesh. He begged the Lord, “How long will this go on”(35:17). David ties up the Psalm by declaring he will give the Lord thanks. He knows God will not allow his enemies to rejoice over him long. He knows God is not far from him. His enemies will be ashamed and dishonored. They will see the magnification of the Lord. David will sing of his praise all the day long.
What peace it is to know, like David, that God has already given us victory over all our earthly battles. God said, “vengeance is mine”(Deuteronomy 32:35). Jesus said, “in this world ye will have tribulations, but…I have overcome the world” (John 16:33), and so we have also. While David spoke in the language of war, Jesus spoke in the voice of love. He commanded: “Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” (Luke 6:27-28). I am so grateful that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal. I do not have to resort to violence—physical or verbal—to stand up against people. Jesus, in His word, reveals a better way. I pray that I will call on God to lead me in His ways of love so I will magnify His goodness to others.
I would love to hear what this Psalm brings to mind for you! Write back to me in Facebook comment or blog reply.
Disclaimer: The intention of this project is not to teach, but rather to share. Please use due diligence in studying the word of God, and seek guidance from your local religious leaders for any questions or concerns.
Debra Hill
Debra Hill is an independent inspirational singer, author, songwriter, and writer. As a blind performer, she adds a personal story of God’s faithfulness. Her life exemplifies that Christ’s power will work to lift all regardless of circumstances.
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