Psalm 35 is a long psalm - 28 verses of complaints - asking God to give David vengeance for his enemies. Or so it seems, though there are some verses of thanksgiving and praise.
But isn't it true in our lives, that we often spend 75% of our time in complaining and 25% in thanksgiving. Yes, I know, we do have a lot of stress and there often seems more bad news than good news. Maybe we do have a lot to complain about.
Last time I read this psalm I had just been terminated from my employment in not so nice circumstances. I felt like `running' and I had a `vengeful' spirit. My `Sauls' had been big and scary and I didn't feel like fighting them. In fact the `fighting' had all gone out of me, but I did hope that would be a `vengeful God'.
I have to say it took quite a few years for that vengeful spirit to die down - 4 years of complaining, depression and even a fight with cancer. But in this last couple of years I have been doing an in depth study of Psalms, and Davids life in 1&;2 Samuel, and 2 Chronicles. During this time, I have felt my vengeful spirit fade. There is no more need to `fight' and `run', and my `Sauls', are not as big and scary.
God has fought my enemies for me - though not in the way I thought. I didn't go to court and have no great `pay out'. But I am teaching again, my confidence is slowly growing, and most of all I am spending more time in praise and thanksgiving than complaining.
"Then I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be glad because He rescues me. With every bone in my body I will praise Him: "Lord, who can compare with you?" Psalm 35:9&10. (NIV)
1. Do you have any experiences where you had a vengeful spirit and needed to rely on God to help you?
GOD HELP ME - Psalm 25:1-8, 11-17, 19-26; 1 Samuel 22&23; 2 Samuel 15
It is likely David wrote this psalm when he was escaping from the evil of king Saul or his son Absalom. In both these times David does not feel like he had done anything wrong, but that he had been wronged. They had made up lies about him, they mocked him, and they wanted to kill him.
The language in this psalm is not very nice, but 3000 years ago it was the language of war. This is how David saw God - a soldier, fighting for him. Indeed,God is our soldier and he helps us fight our battles. He gives us victory over our enemies and He sends His angels to protect us.
"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shelter of the Almighty...... For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won't hurt your foot with a stone." Psalm 91, 1,11&12. (NIV)
Both Saul and Absalom were defeated when they lost their lives - but not by the hand of David. Twice David spared Saul's life, for although he was his enemy, he was also his honoured king. Saul died fighting the Philistines in battle, ultimately killing himself.
"Saul groaned to his armour bearer, "Take your sword and kill me before these pagan Philistines come to run me through and taunt and torture me." But his armour bearer was afraid and would not do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it." 1 Samuel 31:4&5
David also did not want to see his son die: "For my sake deal gently with Absalom".
Absalom also died escaping from battle, and it was his hair, his pride in his handsome appearance that actually led to his downfall.
"In all Israel there was not a man as highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom..... Whenever he cut his hair - he used to do this once a year because it was too heavy for him - he would weigh it, and its weight was 200 shekels by the royal standard." 2 Samuel 14:25&26 (NIV)
"During the battle, Absalom happened to come upon some of David's men. He tried to escape on his mule, but as he rode beneath the thick branches of a great tree, his hair got caught in the tree. His mule kept going and left him dangling in the air. One of David's men saw what had happened and told Joab, `I saw Absalom dangling from a great tree." 2 Samuel 18:9&10 (NIV)
2. Why and how did Saul and Absalom die?
3. Why was David so sad, even though they were his enemies?
DAVID'S PRAISE &;THANKS - Psalm 35:9&10, 35:18, 35:27&28, 2 Samuel 22
David's story in 2 Samuel finishes with words of praise and thanksgiving, just like Psalm 25. The Lord, like always was his SAVIOUR, PROTECTOR AND VICTOR. There was no need for David to say `vengeance is mine', for things hadn't turned out the way he planned; but God had defeated his enemies. His mourning was over. It was now time for THANKS AND PRAISE.
"Then I will now thank you in front of the great assembly. I will praise in front of all the people."
Psalm 35:18 (NIV)
"But give great joy to those who come to my defence. Let them continually say, "Great is the Lord, who delights in blessing his servant in peace." Psalm 35:28 (NIV)
"God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection...... You have given me a shield of victory; your help has made me great...... The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock! May God, the Rock of my salvation be exalted."
2 Samuel 22:31,36 &47 (NIV)
Remember back in Psalm 34:
"I will bless the Lord at all times; HIS PRAISE shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make a boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name forever." Psalm 34:1-3 (NKJ)
Real praise begins because we WANT TO, it STIRS THE EMOTIONS, and it is CONTAGIOUS - we need to share it with others. Praise can change the climate around you. David has given us many options to praise the Lord: speaking, shouting or singing. We can clap our hands, raise them, or play musical instruments. You can stand, kneel, or even dance. Finally David tells us, that if we want to reach God, we must `enter his gates with thanksgiving'. come to Him in praise, and you'll find Him waiting for you.
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name." Psalm 100:4 (NIV)
4. How do complaints make your feel? What does praise do in your life?
"Holy Bible, New International Version".
"God Help Me" - Gordon Churchyard, www.easyenglish.info.
"Praying & Getting Results", 2001, Bob Gass, Bob Gass Ministries.
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