Copy of Psalm Book PDF

Psalm 35 If you take care of yourself and walk with integrity, you may be confident that God will deal with

What do you do when you turn the other cheek and instead of being met with resolution, the attacks continue? What do you do when despite being kind and compassionate you are met again and again with hate or rejection? We can be so tempted to deal in the same currency and begin an exchange of hurtful words, deceit, backstabbing, and in the worst case, physical violence. I feel like you can hear this temptation in David’s voice in Psalm 35. He is crying out to the Lord, “I am doing what is right, why am I being treated this way? Lord, make these people pay”… David, with his heart for God, appeals to God in his desperate moments, seeking some kind of justice. It is classically human to desire justice. We are made in the Creator’s image, so we come by our desire for justice honestly, from the only One capable of righteously judging humanity. However, in our human brokenness, this drive often turns violently wrong and develops into a self serving revenge. David takes us close to that line in his cries in verse 4 with “May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame” but holds back while appealing to the Lord to act on his behalf, recognizing it is God’s place to exact justice, not ours. The Psalms are so beautifully human that even though written thousands of years ago, we can still identify with David’s shock and hurt towards a party that is attacking him despite his goodness towards them. The truth is we have all been hurt and we have all wanted to see someone pay for the hurt they have caused. The important part is David goes to God for the payment. He trusts in God’s judgement and retribution. When we have this trust and reliance, it makes the Gospel teachings of Christ easier to follow. David had that faith and did not hold back in his appeal to God. It is important to know that we can feel hurt, we can feel anger, we can want justice and then, we can give it to God and trust that He will hear us. He will uphold the righteousness we seek, and we can confidently keep turning the other cheek in His name. Let’s Pray Lord, I know there are times that people say and do things to me that I don’t deserve. But you know that my heart is filled with thoughts of selfishness, greed, and unkindness that are blameworthy. So keep me from becoming bitter or proud in response to injustices done to me. Let’s Do It What does David’s plea in Psalm 35 reveal about his relationship with God? How does David’s promise to praise God publicly in verses 18 and 28 inspire you in your personal worship? In what ways can Psalm 35 serve as a model for prayers during times of personal distress?

those who sin against you. Above all, don’t give birth to sin yourself; rather, pray for those who persecute you. God will one day turn your persecution into praise. - Warren Wiersbe

For the Week Set a goal to read Psalm 35 each day this week Memorize Psalm 30:1-7