Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.'

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

1 Peter 2:23
When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.David's Plea for Divine Justice
David begins by asking God to contend with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me (Psalm 35:1). This sets the tone for the entire psalm, highlighting the importance of seeking God's intervention in times of conflict.

The Reality of False Accusations
David describes being wronged by those who repay his good with evil, saying, They repay me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul (Psalm 35:12). This reflects the pain of betrayal and the reality of facing false accusations.

Trust in God's Righteous Judgment
Despite the attacks, David expresses confidence in God's justice, declaring, Vindicate me by Your righteousness, O LORD my God, and do not let them gloat over me (Psalm 35:24). This demonstrates a deep trust in God's righteous judgment.

The Call to Praise
David concludes with a commitment to praise God, regardless of the outcome, stating, My tongue will proclaim Your righteousness and Your praises all day long (Psalm 35:28). This emphasizes the importance of maintaining a heart of worship.Seek God's Help in Conflict
When facing opposition, turn to God in prayer, asking Him to fight on your behalf and bring justice.

Respond to False Accusations with Integrity
Like David, maintain your integrity and trust that God sees the truth and will vindicate you in His time.

Praise God Amidst Trials
Cultivate a habit of praising God, even when circumstances are challenging, as an expression of faith and trust in His sovereignty.

Rely on God's Righteousness
Remember that ultimate justice comes from God, and rest in His righteous judgment rather than seeking personal revenge.1. David
The author of the psalm, who is crying out to God for help against his adversaries. He is the central figure in the psalm, expressing his distress and seeking divine intervention.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
Referred to as the one David calls upon for protection and justice. The Hebrew name "Yahweh" is often translated as "LORD" in English Bibles, signifying the covenantal God of Israel.

3. David's Enemies
These are the adversaries who are pursuing David, seeking his harm without cause. They are described as those who "plot evil" and "rejoice" at his distress.

4. The Angel of the LORD
Mentioned in verse 5 and 6, this figure is invoked by David to drive away his enemies. In the Hebrew context, "mal'ak Yahweh" can refer to a divine messenger or representative of God.

5. The Poor and Needy
While not directly named, these individuals are implied in verse 10, where David speaks of God delivering the poor and needy from those who are too strong for them.

6. False Witnesses
These are individuals who rise against David, testifying falsely and repaying his good with evil, as mentioned in verse 11.

7. David's Friends and Companions
Implied in verses 13-14, where David describes how he mourned for them as if they were his own family when they were in trouble, yet they have turned against him.Psalm 35 in the Berean Standard Bible does not explicitly mention specific geographical places. Instead, it is a psalm of David that focuses on seeking God's deliverance from enemies and expressing trust in His justice. Since there are no specific places mentioned in this psalm, a numbered list of places cannot be provided.

However, if you are interested in a thematic or conceptual analysis of the psalm from a conservative Christian perspective, I can certainly help with that. Let me know how you would like to proceed!1. David's Plea for God's Intervention
David begins by asking the Lord to contend with those who contend with him and to fight against those who fight against him.
^"Contend with my opponents, O LORD; fight against those who fight against me."^ (Psalm 35:1)

2. Request for Divine Protection
He requests God to take up shield and buckler and to rise to his aid, symbolizing divine protection and defense.
^"Take up Your shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid."^ (Psalm 35:2)

3. Call for God's Deliverance
David asks God to draw the spear and javelin against his pursuers, seeking deliverance from his enemies.
^"Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers; say to my soul, 'I am your salvation.'"^ (Psalm 35:3)

4. Prayer for Enemy Confusion
He prays for his enemies to be put to shame and dishonor, and for them to be turned back in confusion.
^"May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plan my harm be turned back and confounded."^ (Psalm 35:4)

5. Desire for Angelic Intervention
David desires that the angel of the Lord would drive his enemies away, emphasizing divine intervention.
^"May they be like chaff in the wind, as the angel of the LORD drives them away."^ (Psalm 35:5)

6. Petition for Darkness and Slippery Paths
He asks for his enemies' paths to be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
^"May their path be dark and slippery, as the angel of the LORD pursues."^ (Psalm 35:6)

7. Reflection on Unjust Persecution
David reflects on the unjust nature of his persecution, as his enemies have hidden a net for him without cause.
^"For without cause they laid their net for me; without reason they dug a pit for my soul."^ (Psalm 35:7)

8. Hope for Retribution
He expresses hope that his enemies will fall into their own traps, leading to their ruin.
^"May ruin overtake them by surprise; may the net they hid entangle them; may they fall into the pit, to their ruin."^ (Psalm 35:8)

9. Commitment to Praise
David commits to rejoicing in the Lord's deliverance and praising Him in the assembly.
^"Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and exult in His salvation."^ (Psalm 35:9)

10. Contrast with False Witnesses
He contrasts his own integrity with the false witnesses who rise against him, repaying evil for good.
^"Malicious witnesses rise up; they question me about things I do not know."^ (Psalm 35:11)

11. Expression of Personal Grief
David shares his grief and mourning for his enemies when they were in trouble, highlighting his compassion.
^"Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered."^ (Psalm 35:13)

12. Lament over Betrayal
He laments the betrayal of those who repaid his good with evil, causing his soul to be forlorn.
^"But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; they gathered against me."^ (Psalm 35:15)

13. Call for Vindication
David calls upon the Lord to vindicate him according to His righteousness and not let his enemies triumph.
^"Vindicate me by Your righteousness, O LORD my God, and do not let them gloat over me."^ (Psalm 35:24)

14. Prayer for Joy Among the Righteous
He prays that those who delight in his vindication shout for joy and continually say, "The LORD be magnified."
^"May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, 'The LORD be magnified, who delights in the well-being of His servant.'"^ (Psalm 35:27)

15. Commitment to Continual Praise
David concludes with a commitment to proclaim God's righteousness and praise Him all day long.
^"Then my tongue will proclaim Your righteousness and Your praises all day long."^ (Psalm 35:28)1. Plea for Divine Intervention (Verses 1-3)
David calls upon the Lord to contend with those who contend against him. He asks God to take up shield and buckler and to rise to his defense.
^"Contend with my opponents, O LORD; fight against those who fight against me."^ (Psalm 35:1)

2. Request for Protection and Deliverance (Verses 4-8)
David seeks protection from those who seek his life and prays for their plans to be thwarted. He desires that they be put to shame and confusion.
^"May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plan my harm be turned back and confounded."^ (Psalm 35:4)

3. Expression of Trust in God's Justice (Verses 9-10)
David expresses confidence that his soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in His salvation, acknowledging God's justice.
^"Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and exult in His salvation."^ (Psalm 35:9)

4. Complaint Against False Witnesses (Verses 11-16)
David laments the false witnesses who rise against him and repay his good with evil, highlighting the betrayal and malice he faces.
^"Malicious witnesses rise up; they question me about things I do not know."^ (Psalm 35:11)

5. Prayer for Vindication (Verses 17-18)
David asks how long the Lord will look on and pleads for rescue from the ravages of his enemies, promising to give thanks in the great assembly.
^"How long, O Lord, will You look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, my precious life from these lions."^ (Psalm 35:17)

6. Call for Justice Against Enemies (Verses 19-21)
David calls for justice against those who wrongfully rejoice over his troubles and who speak deceitfully against him.
^"Do not let my enemies gloat over me without cause, nor those who hate me without reason wink in malice."^ (Psalm 35:19)

7. Appeal for God's Righteous Judgment (Verses 22-26)
David appeals to God to not remain silent and to vindicate him according to His righteousness, asking that his enemies be put to shame.
^"O LORD, You have seen it; do not be silent. O Lord, be not far from me."^ (Psalm 35:22)

8. Promise of Praise and Thanksgiving (Verses 27-28)
David concludes with a promise to praise God continually, expressing hope that those who delight in his vindication will shout for joy.
^"May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, 'The LORD be exalted, who delights in His servant’s well-being.'"^ (Psalm 35:27)

In this Psalm, David's language reflects a deep reliance on God for justice and protection, using terms that convey both legal and military imagery, rooted in the Hebrew understanding of God as both a righteous judge and a divine warrior.1. Plea for Divine Justice
Psalm 35 opens with a call for God to contend with those who contend against the psalmist: "Contend with my opponents, O LORD; fight against those who fight against me" (Psalm 35:1). The Hebrew word for "contend" (רִיב, "riv") implies a legal dispute, suggesting a plea for God to act as a divine advocate or judge.

2. Protection and Deliverance
The psalmist seeks God's protection and deliverance from enemies: "Take up Your shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid" (Psalm 35:2). The imagery of God as a warrior reflects a deep trust in His ability to protect and save.

3. Imprecation Against Enemies
There is a call for the downfall of the psalmist's enemies: "May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plan my harm be driven back and confounded" (Psalm 35:4). The Hebrew root for "disgraced" (בּוֹשׁ, "bosh") conveys a sense of public humiliation.

4. Vindication and Righteousness
The psalmist desires vindication and the demonstration of his righteousness: "Vindicate me by Your righteousness, O LORD my God, and do not let them gloat over me" (Psalm 35:24). The term "righteousness" (צֶדֶק, "tsedeq") underscores a longing for moral and ethical justice.

5. Joy and Praise for Deliverance
Anticipating deliverance, the psalmist vows to rejoice and praise God: "Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and exult in His salvation" (Psalm 35:9). The Hebrew word for "rejoice" (שָׂמַח, "samach") indicates a deep, exuberant joy.

6. False Accusations and Betrayal
The psalmist laments being falsely accused and betrayed by those he once helped: "Malicious witnesses rise up; they question me about things I do not know" (Psalm 35:11). The term "malicious" (חָמָס, "chamas") suggests violence and injustice.

7. Call for Community Support
The psalmist seeks support from the community of believers: "Let those who favor my righteous cause shout for joy and be glad" (Psalm 35:27). This reflects the communal aspect of faith and the importance of solidarity among the faithful.

8. Divine Retribution
The psalmist calls for divine retribution against his adversaries: "May ruin overtake them by surprise; may the net they hid entangle them" (Psalm 35:8). The concept of retribution is rooted in the idea of divine justice, where evil deeds are met with appropriate consequences.

9. Faith in God's Sovereignty
Throughout the psalm, there is an underlying faith in God's sovereignty and ultimate control over all circumstances: "O LORD, You have seen it; be not silent. O Lord, be not far from me" (Psalm 35:22). This reflects a trust in God's omnipresence and omnipotence.

10. Commitment to Praise
The psalm concludes with a commitment to praise God continually: "My tongue will proclaim Your righteousness and Your praises all day long" (Psalm 35:28). The Hebrew word for "praise" (תְּהִלָּה, "tehillah") emphasizes the act of glorifying God through spoken or sung worship.1. Psalm 35:1 – How can God’s call to “contend” against enemies align with a supposed universal message of love?

2. Psalm 35:5–6 – Is there any historical or archaeological evidence supporting the idea of an angel physically driving enemies away like chaff?

3. Psalm 35:13–14 – How can David both mourn for his foes and call down curses on them without contradiction?

4. Psalm 35 – Does the Psalm’s tone of retribution conflict with New Testament teachings about forgiveness?

5. Psalm 35 – If there’s limited external evidence confirming these events, should we question the account’s historical credibility?

1. What does David's plea in Psalm 35 reveal about his relationship with God?

2. How can David's approach to dealing with his enemies be applied in contemporary conflicts or disagreements?

3. Discuss the implications of verse 10, "Who is like you, O Lord..." in the context of the psalm and your personal life.

4. How does Psalm 35 address the theme of unjust suffering? How does this apply to modern situations?

5. What role does prayer play in this Psalm, and how might it influence your personal prayer life?

6. How does David express his confidence in God's justice despite facing adversity?

7. How can we find consolation in God's justice, as reflected in Psalm 35, during personal struggles?

8. Discuss the contrast between David's treatment of his enemies and their treatment of him. What can we learn from this?

9. What does Psalm 35 teach us about dealing with false accusations or misjudgments?

10. How does David's promise to praise God publicly in verses 18 and 28 inspire you in your personal worship?

11. Explore the emotional journey David undergoes in this psalm. How does this resonate with your life experiences?

12. In what ways can Psalm 35 serve as a model for prayers during times of personal distress?

13. Discuss the theme of divine vindication as depicted in Psalm 35. How can we reconcile this with the New Testament's teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation?

14. How can you apply the lessons from Psalm 35 to develop a stronger faith during trying times?

15. What does this Psalm teach about God's character, specifically His justice and power?

16. How do you interpret the imprecations in Psalm 35 in light of Jesus' teachings about love and forgiveness?

17. In what ways does the narrative of Psalm 35 reflect the larger story of the Bible, particularly the struggle between good and evil?

18. Discuss how the theme of Thanksgiving in Psalm 35 can be integrated into daily living.

19. How does Psalm 35 help you understand the human experience of distress and the faith-based response to it?

20. How might the plea for vindication in Psalm 35 inspire you to stand for justice in your community?