Psalm 35

Part 3 of 3

(Verses 19-28)

19 Let not those gloat over me

who are my enemies without cause;

let not those who hate me without reason

maliciously wink the eye.

20 They do not speak peaceably,

but devise false accusations

against those who live quietly in the land.

21 They gape at me and say, “Aha! Aha!

With our own eyes we have seen it.”

22 O Lord, you have seen this; be not silent.

Do not be far from me, O Lord.

23 Awake, and rise to my defense!

Contend for me, my God and Lord.

24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, O Lord my God;

do not let them gloat over me.

25 Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!”

or say, “We have swallowed him up.”

26 May all who gloat over my distress

be put to shame and confusion;

may all who exalt themselves over me

be clothed with shame and disgrace.

27 May those who delight in my vindication

shout for joy and gladness;

may they always say, “The Lord be exalted,

who delights in the well-being of his servant.”

28 My tongue will speak of your righteousness

and of your praises all day long.

Verses 1-10: Lord, save me!

Verses 11-18: Lord, bless me.

Verses 19-28: Lord, vindicate me.

Look at the last 3 verses again:

26 May all who gloat over my distress

be put to shame and confusion;

may all who exalt themselves over me

be clothed with shame and disgrace.

27 May those who delight in my vindication

shout for joy and gladness;

may they always say, “The Lord be exalted,

who delights in the well-being of his servant.”

28 My tongue will speak of your righteousness

and of your praises all day long.

You ever needed vindication? You really just needed someone to come along and defend you because you were really powerless to defend yourself?

It’s like the little kid who gets picked on the playground. He’s powerless against his tormenters but the big, older kid…he’s powerful. He’s able to defend the defenseless. Here, David is calling out to the ultimate “big kid” to come and defend him.

Like children, we should call out to God when we are in distress. He hears. He cares. He provides.

Because of the faithfulness of the Lord through all situations, David declares he will bless the Lord.