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Psalm 35:1-10 (NIV)
Of David.
1 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.”
What seems to be the occasion for this Psalm?
King David appealed to you after he was being maliciously slandered by those he had once considered friends. He was distressed to be an innocent victim of an unmotivated attack. He knew that without You, he could not succeed. It is by Your hand that those who tried to destroy him would be destroyed. It is by Your hand that the enemy would fall and David would remain standing in You. It is the same with me right now. I am in a battle against evil. The world seems to be filled with hatred, slander, and those trying to destroy others who have a different opinion. It is just as devasting and dangerous as going to battle. My heart hurts as people turn on those that were once neighbors and friends. It is harder to battle an enemy that I know. But I stand against the evil that surrounds me. I fight against those who are digging a pit that is dark and slippery. I resist the spiritual forces that are trying to silence You. Almighty God I pray for protection against unprincipled, vicious, and treacherous enemies. Bring confusion and disorientation to them as the net they hid entangles them. Lord, bring Your army of angels to protect the innocent, to give safety for the oppressed, and hope for the helpless. Rescue the poor from those too strong for them. Protect the poor and needy from those who rob them physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially. Rise up an army of the faithful to declare Your strength. Bring about repentance and ultimate salvation to the wicked. Let me have inward comfort under all outward troubles. Support my soul. Let me remain standing in Your truth. You are my salvation. You are my Lord, my Defender, and my Friend and You will never turn on me. Help me never turn on You. I trust in You and have hope for all eternity. Amen