Psalm 35 1

Psalm 35:1 kjv

Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.

Psalm 35:1 nkjv

A Psalm of David. Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me; Fight against those who fight against me.

Psalm 35:1 niv

Of David. Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.

Psalm 35:1 esv

Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me!

Psalm 35:1 nlt

O LORD, oppose those who oppose me.
Fight those who fight against me.

Psalm 35 verses

Psalm 35 1 Meaning

Psalm 35:1 is a fervent cry from David to the Lord, pleading for divine intervention against those who unjustly oppose and attack him. He appeals to God to act as his legal advocate and military defender, trusting in God's power and righteousness to deliver justice on his behalf. It is a petition for God to take up David's cause as if it were His own.

Psalm 35 1 Context

Psalm 35 is a Davidic psalm of lament and imprecation, expressing intense suffering and appealing for divine justice. David feels deeply wronged and betrayed by his enemies, some of whom may have been former friends or beneficiaries of his kindness. They return evil for good, engaging in malicious slander, false accusations, and active aggression. This psalm transitions from an urgent petition for God's direct intervention (vv. 1-8) to a heartfelt self-vindication (vv. 9-16), and further prayers with vows of praise upon deliverance. Verse 1 sets the foundational plea for the entire psalm: a cry for the Lord to personally engage in the battle—both legal and physical—against his adversaries.

Historically, David faced numerous instances of unjust opposition: the relentless pursuit by King Saul, the widespread rebellion led by his son Absalom, and constant conflicts with surrounding hostile nations. The language of "contending" points to legal or verbal battles, while "fighting" indicates more direct physical or military confrontations. David, in these times, consistently turned to God as his only recourse for vindication and protection, emphasizing a deep reliance on divine justice rather than his own power or human alliances. This resonates with the recurring biblical theme where righteous individuals or God's covenant people seek the Lord as their ultimate Judge and Warrior in the face of overwhelming and unmerited opposition.

Psalm 35 1 Word analysis

• Contend (רִיבָה - Rīvah): The Hebrew word רִיבָה (rīvah) comes from the root riv, which is a strong legal term. It signifies to "strive," "plead a case," "enter into controversy," or "conduct a lawsuit." David is not merely asking for a general intervention but for God to step in as his divine Advocate and Judge in a legal sense, defending his righteous cause against false accusations and malicious claims made by his adversaries. This highlights a desire for vindication and justice rather than mere retribution.
• Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): The use of God's covenant name, יְהוָה (YHWH - Yahweh/Jehovah), underscores the intensely personal and relational nature of David's appeal. It signifies appealing to the God who is faithful to His covenant promises and who actively reveals Himself and His power. It emphasizes trust in God's personal involvement, not in a generic deity, but in the sovereign, redemptive God of Israel who is intimately connected with His people's plight.
• with those who contend with me (אֶת יְרִיבַי - et y'rīvay): The Hebrew יְרִיבַי (y'rīvay) refers to "my adversaries," "my accusers," or "those who are in dispute with me." These are the ones who are actively bringing legal charges or engaging in verbal strife against David. They are not merely passive opponents but active agents of conflict and injustice against him.
• fight (לְחַם - lecham): The Hebrew word לְחַם (lācham) means "to fight," "to wage war," or "to engage in battle." This is a military term. By pairing it with "contend," David is escalating his plea from a legal advocacy to a direct military or physical intervention. He wants God to actively enter the battlefield and engage in direct combat on his behalf against his physical and strategic foes.
• against those who fight against me (אֶת לֹחֲמָי - et loḥămāy): The Hebrew לֹחֲמָי (loḥămāy) translates to "my attackers" or "those who wage war against me." These are the ones engaging in active physical hostility or organized aggression. The parallelism with "contend" emphasizes the dual nature of the adversaries' opposition: verbal and legal challenges, alongside aggressive, even violent, confrontations.
• "Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me": This phrase expresses David's conviction that God is the ultimate Judge capable of intervening in disputes and vindicating the innocent. It signifies that David is placing his entire legal and moral case before the divine court, trusting God to be his defense attorney and deliver a righteous verdict against false accusers and malicious slanderers. This is not seeking revenge but asking for divine justice and truth to prevail.
• "fight against those who fight against me": This parallel phrase emphasizes God's role as the divine Warrior and Protector. David acknowledges his personal inability to overcome the active aggression and hostile forces against him. He appeals to God to physically and strategically intervene in the conflict, transforming his personal struggle into a holy war fought by the Almighty. This prayer acknowledges God's supremacy and ability to bring decisive victory where human efforts would fail.

Psalm 35 1 Bonus section

• Imprecatory Prayer Precedent: Psalm 35, beginning with this verse, sets the tone for an imprecatory psalm, where the psalmist calls upon God to execute judgment against his enemies. While this can be challenging, it is vital to understand that these are pleas for divine justice within the covenant context, not personal revenge. They are expressions of deep anguish and a trust that God, in His perfect righteousness, will set right what is wrong, vindicate the innocent, and bring righteous judgment upon the wicked.
• God's Personal Engagement: The direct and personal appeal to "YHWH" and the repetition of the active verbs "contend" and "fight" emphasize the psalmist's profound belief in God's willingness and ability to personally involve Himself in human struggles. This demonstrates a theology where God is not distant or uninvolved but an active, responsive participant in the lives of His people.
• Biblical Model for Slander and Persecution: This verse and the psalm as a whole serve as a foundational scriptural model for how believers are to respond when subjected to false accusations, slander, and active persecution. Instead of resorting to self-vindication or retaliation, the righteous are encouraged to turn to God, entrusting their cause entirely into His just and powerful hands, believing He will contend for them and fight on their behalf.

Psalm 35 1 Commentary

Psalm 35:1 is a direct and passionate plea, rooted in deep trust, for God to take up the cause of His servant who is facing unjust and aggressive opposition. David is overwhelmed by enemies who not only falsely accuse him but actively seek his downfall. He makes a dual appeal, asking the Lord to be both his legal Advocate ("contend") in the face of calumny and his mighty Warrior ("fight") against active aggression. This is not a cry for personal vengeance but a fervent call for God's righteous justice to be demonstrated. It models for believers how to commit their desperate struggles to God, recognizing His power to bring vindication and deliverance when all human options fail. It signifies an unwavering belief in God's willingness to engage personally in the battles of His children, establishing truth and ensuring victory.