Psalm 35

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

David Prays for Deliverance and Personal Vindication

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Prayer for vindication is based on righteous living and not on personal revenge.

  2. Prayer for vindication is based on divine justice and not on personal triumph.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let the Lord be magnified when we’re vindicated.

QUESTIONS

  1. What was the occasion of the writing of this psalm?

  2. What is an imprecatory psalm? Was it wrong for David to write this?

  3. On what basis was David requesting vindication?

  4. What is the prophetic application of Psalm 35?

ANSWERS

  1. Most likely it was when David was escaping from King Saul who was wrongly chasing David in an attempt to kill him.

  2. To imprecate means to curse. David was not praying for personal revenge, but rather calling for God’s judgment on the wicked so that God’s standards and divine justice will be maintained.

  3. It was based on David’s own personal integrity and righteous living. David knew that he was in the right, while Saul was in the wrong.

  4. This imprecatory psalm will certainly apply to the persecuted godly remnant of the future Tribulation Period. They will cry out for vindication based on divine justice, and God will answer.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Recall a time when you have really wanted personal revenge. Did you take matters into your own hands, or did you let God bring the vindication? What was the outcome either way?

CHALLENGE

  1. When the Lord vindicates you, will you give Him the praise? Take this opportunity to magnify the Lord, rather than gloating in yourself.

KEY VERSES

  • "Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me." Psalm 35:1

  • "Vindicate me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me." Psalm 35:24



Old Testament, Psalms, TalksDeb HarmsPsalm 35