Psalm 35 (34):1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The message of Christ We will not linger on the title of the psalm, as it is succinct and evident, particularly to those raised within the Church of God. The psalm bears the inscription: To David himself, with David signifying ‘mighty in hand’ and ‘highly regarded’; it is dedicated to Him who is mighty in hand and highly regarded, who has vanquished our death and assured us of life. Let us thus heed His voice, which may at times echo the voice of the body and at other times the voice of the head. This psalm calls upon God in the face of adversaries during the trials of this world: clearly, Christ is referenced here, for it was once the head that suffered, and now it is the body. Yet through His suffering, He imparts everlasting life to all His members, and by offering this promise, He becomes ‘highly regarded.’

This psalm, attributed to David, reflects the perspective of one who places their trust in the Lord and engages in spiritual battles against unseen forces, also resonating with the collective experience of the Apostles. The text invokes Christ Himself, illustrating the way the Jews treated Him during His passion, aiming to impart lessons of endurance and steadfastness to those who face adversities for the sake of God. “Judge, O Lord, judge those who offend me; defeat those who oppose me.” Such declarations resonate deeply with the Apostles’ mission. It also portrays the Jews who, lacking inner tranquility, incite conflict and oppose Christ, who is our true peace.

A Psalm attributed to David. This psalm was also articulated by the blessed David during his trials at the hands of Saul. It references the treachery of Doeg, who informed Saul about Abimelech the priest’s actions, resulting in the suffering of many. The psalm also alludes to Zephaniah and others who betrayed David by relaying information to Saul, as evidenced by the text. Righteous Judge, O Lord, contend with those who oppose me, and prevail over those who wage war against me. In the words of the Prophet, there is a profound structure to the prayer of a just man; he first implores the Almighty to render judgment, and subsequently seeks justice and retribution.

Psalm of David This psalm was composed by David during the time he faced persecution from Saul, when he found it impossible to remain in any location in peace, as noted by Eusebius. According to the esteemed Athanasius, it is also relevant for Christians enduring persecution from both visible and invisible adversaries. The oaths present in these psalms should be invoked against our unseen foes, the demons, who incite others to turn against us. The insults mentioned in the psalms are meant for those who maliciously scheme against us, while the virtues and accomplishments described should not be attributed solely to David himself, but rather serve as examples for us to aspire to emulate.

Cautious Prayer How should we approach this psalm? When we speak ill of our adversaries, we disregard the commands of the Gospel, which instruct not only against speaking ill of them, but also enjoins us to pray for them. To uphold the teachings of the Gospel, we ought to set aside the psalms that often disparage our foes, as highlighted in the initial verses of the psalm, "Judge, he says, those who offend me," and what follows thereafter. Thus, it is evident that the Psalmist is prudent—exercise caution so that you do not use these words against those who oppose you.

The title of this psalm is clear, prompting thoughts of David, who expresses a prayer not in the grandeur of divine authority, but in the modesty of human experience. Just as he lowered himself by adopting the role of a servant (Philippians 2:7, 8), he naturally offers prayers amid our trials, encouraging us to also seek the Lord in our moments of hardship.

Jesus and the adversary This pertains to the adversary and his followers, who embodied the malice of those opposing Him. Given that He instructed, "Pray for your enemies," it is evident that this is not aimed at individuals. Therefore, it becomes clear that He must condemn those whom, through divine foreknowledge, He understood would not turn to repentance. When He approaches humanity, His intention is for their salvation, not their demise.

Individuals mourn due to the offenses and violence inflicted upon them by their foes. Shed tears before God for your spiritual adversaries, who seek to jeopardize your everlasting salvation. These opponents include the devil and his wicked spirits. "Judge, O Lord, those who wrong me; confront those who contend against me. Equip Yourself with armor and shield; rise to my aid. Unsheathe Your sword and serve as a defense against my persecutors; speak to my soul, 'I am your salvation!'"

A Psalm attributed to David.

In this passage, the prophet earnestly seeks divine assistance against Saul and his adversities, as well as protection from the false witnesses who have wronged him before Saul.

Interpretation: O Lord, render judgment against those who wrong me; prevail over those who contend with me. This plea encapsulates the essence of the request for aid against the persecutors. It is as though the prophet appeals to the righteous Judge, proclaiming his innocence, and imploring Him to establish justice between himself and the adversaries who unjustly pursue him, causing him deep distress. May You vanquish those who are in opposition to me. Stand as my defender and advocate against those who oppose me, that I may be liberated from their grasp and emerge victorious over them.

The genesis of this psalm can be traced back to the early days of Saul's persecution (see 1 Samuel 24:16, v. 11 and 1 Samuel 24:10), making it clear the specific circumstances faced by the psalmist at that time. David was enduring intense suffering at the hands of adversaries to whom he had extended only compassion and camaraderie, yet they maliciously defamed him and took great delight in his misfortunes. In the midst of his unjust persecution, this righteous man calls upon God for assistance and vows to offer Him praise and gratitude in return. The central themes of the psalm are articulated in three stanzas, each concluding with a commitment to thanksgiving (vv. 9, 10, 18, 28), which echo the lament of current distress and a plea for liberation from it. Stanza I: Lord, fight for me; intercede for my cause, for the judgment of my foes has already been declared. The initial metaphor is drawn from legal disputes, while the latter one is taken from warfare.

A psalm inspired by the Holy Spirit for David, wherein he seeks divine assistance against Saul and other oppressors, symbolizes the prayer of Christ the Lord to God the Father during His unblemished Passion. It also echoes the supplications of the Church's faithful during times of persecution. The weapon employed is Divine might, while the shield signifies God's grace. Divine might overcomes all adversaries, and God's grace shields from every foe. The faithful's weapon is the holy Cross, and their shield is the genuine faith in Christ. The Apostle encourages us to take up the shield of faith, through which we can quench all the fiery darts of the enemy, along with the spiritual sword, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:16-17). Furthermore, the voice of Adam appeals to Christ: ‘Accept, O Lord, the weapon, Thy Cross and the shield of the Resurrection, and rise from Thy endurance, come to the aid of me, a sinner.