1/13 Psalm 35

PSALM 35

AUTHOR: David

The Story Behind the Psalm

This Psalm was written in connection with one of the most noble times in David's life. The story is found in I Samuel 24. David was asleep in a cave. This was during the time that he was running for his life from Saul. Saul's pursuits were dedicated to the murder of David. One night David rested inside a cave. When he awoke the next morning, he found Saul asleep on the outside of the cave. Here was David's chance. Saul had pledged to kill David, and now Saul lies sleeping at the mercy of David. Will David kill Saul? Would he seek revenge? He draws his sword, cuts off a little piece of the skirt of Saul's garment but does no more. He is asked why he does not seek revenge and kill Saul. He replies that he cannot lift up his hand against God's anointed. Saul was not what he should have been, but he was God's anointed. Saul was not perfect, but he was God's anointed. David will not seek revenge.

How often we want to seek revenge and vengeance against those who have wronged us! Let us with David realize that this is God's department, not ours.

We should also join David in refraining from lifting our hands against God's anointed. Oh, pray for God's men, love God's men, be loyal to God's men, stand beside God's men, hold high the hands of God's men. For years I've tried to help preachers. I've loved them, prayed for them, preached to them, come to their rescue and stood beside them. I love preachers. They are the hope of America. In many ways, they are the most lonely men in the world, but they hold in their hands the hope of the world. I once heard about a fellow who had ten sons. He said, "The first was a lawyer and the second was a liar too. The third was a banker and the fourth was a crook too. The fifth was a school teacher and the sixth was at a state institution too. The eighth was a doctor and the eighth stayed up all night too. The ninth was a preacher and the tenth didn't work for a living either." Of course, this is humorous, but it should not be true. God's men should be the hardest working men and the best men in the world, and God's people should hold them before the throne of grace in prayer, love and support.

The Way It Was Used By God's People

When a Jew was tempted to seek revenge, he often turned to the 35th Psalm, read it and sung it. It gave him strength as he saw an example in David.