August 17, 2023 -- Psalm 35:1-3 -- The Psalm Series: crying out as one who has hope in the LORD

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Of David.

Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me;
    fight against those who fight against me!
2 Take hold of shield and buckler
    and rise for my help!
3 Draw the spear and javelin
    against my pursuers!
Say to my soul,
    “I am your salvation!”
Psalm 35:1-3 ESV

The Psalm is a lament—that is a prayer of suffering and tears offered up to God, the Only possible source of help. If you have a good study Bible it will tell you there are three parts to this prayer: 1-10 the call for help; 11-18 the cry of the agonized soul; 19-28 the call for God’s action. Again the study Bible will point out that each section ends with praise. Let that sink in. No matter the depths to which the psalmist sinks, he cannot help himself, he intentionally praises God the LORD Who is strong to save.

David’s overwhelmed heart is being poured out to God the LORD. He is using a mix of law court and war imagery. Contend (used twice for emphasis) is a demand that the God of Justice bring those who are fighting against David into the Divine Court of Justice.

Now the terms become military. He is calling on God, Who is a Warrior (Exodus 15:3), to take over this battle. The LORD has all the resources, all the ability and all the love necessary to take on this fight. The shield and bucker refer to two kinds of shields. A small one to protect the head and a large one that covers the body. The speak is for close combat, the javelin for distance, to close the way to an enemy’s incursion. The LORD as David’s warrior-protector will use all means necessary to keep His servant safe. This is David’s prayerful appeal to the High King of Heaven.

As the battle rages all around, David is asking the Father in heaven to bring assurance to his very inmost being. Look at his prayer “Say to my soul, ‘I AM your salvation’.” David can’t save himself. David can’t do the impossible. He needs the assurances that can only come from God and so he asks for this from His Savior. What an intimate picture we have of David’s connection with the Living God.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. You are the Warrior-King, mighty to save to Your people; willing to rescue Your people from Your wrath against sin and from the clutches of the wily Devil who seeks to ensnare people by tempting them back to old patterns of sinfulness. Today, as You did for Your servant David so long ago, by Your Spirit speak assurances to our inmost being, deep reassurances of Your love, Your protection and Your mercy, saying “I AM your salvation”. Faithful God, from that place of safety and protection, lead us to being men and women of prayer, asking that those who seem to be our enemies now will be transformed so that they become family in Jesus Christ. It is in His powerful Name we pray. Amen.

https://youtu.be/svWaaVbOQps Shane and Shane “Come Thou Fount (Above all Else)

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.