Prayer for Deliverance

INTRO

We’re continuing our study in the book of Psalms as we focus on those that point us to the Messiah, the King of Glory. Psalm 35 feels very real as David prayed for victory against his enemies. Nelson’s Commentaryexplains, “David places an unusual emphasis on the role of his enemies.”¹ Wiersbe explains that this psalm was written while David was being hunted down by Saul and even David’s own men. Wiersbe states, “David was championing the right cause, for he was God’s chosen king, while Saul was trying to destroy him so that one of his own sons would become king.”² Not only was Saul’s pride on the line with David as the next king, but so was Saul’s family lineage. In this psalm, David told God he was tired of being chased by his enemies and asked God to fight them for him. Nelson’s Commentary states David “appeal[ed] to God the Warrior and Judge to plead [his] cause” and asked God to intercede for him against his enemies.³

TEACHING

Psalm 35:1-3: David began his psalm by asking God to oppose those who opposed him (v. 1). Then David asked God to use His battle weapons to fight David’s battle for him (v. 2). Both images of the Judge and the Warrior are seen in these two verses. The image of the shield in verse 2 is visualized in Ephesians 6:10–18 in Paul’s description of the armor of God. David asked God to draw His spear and javelin to use against those who hunted him to assure David of God’s deliverance (v. 3). Exhausted by running for his life, David wanted God’s assurance that He would give him deliverance.

A lot of people go through a period in their lives when they feel they haven’t heard from God. Many will turn away from their faith. David needed to hear God at that moment, and he asked for it!

Psalm 35:4–8: David asked that God disgrace and humiliate those who wanted to kill him so they would turn back in shame (v. 4). David wanted them to be blown away like “chaff in the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away” (v. 5). In Psalm 34:7, “The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them.” Notice the consistent theme of what the Angel of the Lord takes on. Whether this was the preincarnate Christ or not, the Angel of the Lord rescued and provided deliverance to those who feared him. And I believe the presence of God was there. In verse 6, David asked that those who had hunted him become the hunted with the Angel of the Lord pursuing them. Jesus knew who the enemy was against Him, and He pursued the enemy, even to the cross for us.

David pointed out twice in verse 7 that his enemy had attacked him “without cause.” This can feel familiar to us because the enemy is constantly trying to crush us as well, and he uses lies and deceit in the process. David asked that his enemy be ruined, falling into the net and the pit that they had placed to ensnare him (v. 8).

Psalm 35:9–14: David proclaimed he would be able to rejoice in the Lord and take joy in being delivered (v. 9). Last week (lesson 37), we looked at eight reasons to pray: for answers, for help, for sustenance, to be remembered, to be given to, for what we need, and to be fulfilled.⁴ David said the Lord was always taking care of Israel, especially the poor (v. 10). Nelson’s Commentarystates the poor are mentioned in the book of Psalms 25 times, usually in terms of how they were being mistreated. The poor “deserve to be high on the agenda for any nation or public servant to honor God and receive divine blessing.”⁵ Within Psalm 35, emphasis is placed on the results of the work with the poor by those who are on God’s side: rescuing the perishing (Psalm 35:17), quieting the unjust (Psalm 35:19–25), and glorifying the Lord (Psalm 35:18, 27–28).⁶ Nelson’s Commentaryadds one caveat to these results: “assuming that the spirit behind one’s efforts is a genuine concern for justice and righteousness.”⁷

David continued with his complaints. The witnesses against him were malicious and did evil to him, even though he had done good for them (vv. 11–12). David went on to describe how he had been good to them. He had worn sackcloth when they were sick, fasted and prayed for them, and even grieved deeply for them (vv. 13–14).

Psalm 35:15–28: Those David had cared for turned on him when he had trouble with Saul (v. 15). They mocked him and gnashed their teeth at him (v. 16; Job 16:9–10; Psalm 112:10; Lamentations 2:16). David asked how long God would watch this take place. Instead, David requested that God rescue him from them (v. 17). In return, David promised he would exalt God among all people (v. 18). David asked God to rescue him from those who hated him unjustly “without cause” (vv. 19–21). David said he knew God had seen what was happening to him and begged God to stay close to him (vv. 22–23). Finally, David asked God to vindicate him so his enemies could not rejoice over his downfall (vv. 24–26). God does not sleep (Psalm 121:4). David asked that those who wanted David to be vindicated would recognize the Lord was at work and exalt God’s actions (v. 27). David would proclaim God’s righteousness (v. 28).

Remember Saul lived another seven years and tried to find ways to get rid of David throughout those years. Yet God did vindicate David completely. Vindication doesn’t always happen overnight. It takes place in God’s timing, not ours.

CLOSING

The prophet Elijah ran for his life from Jezebel and hid in a cave feeling totally alone. In 1 Kings 19:17–18, God reminded him that He would leave 7,000 of His followers in Israel. As we go through the times when we are asking God to rescue us from our enemies, there will be others (like the 7,000 left in Israel) who will be there to help and support us.