Psalm 35 - An Imprecatory Psalm

Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions (bad, evil, displeasing, unhappiness, misery, calamity) of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; (bowed down, humbled, mishandled) that I might learn thy statutes.

Imprecate = to invoke evil or a curse upon someone

Intro.

There are many today who would say that praying imprecatory prayers is not valid for the New Testament believer. They believe that to pray this way places an emphasis on Old Testament law rather than New Testament grace. If this has been your view, then I ask you to consider the following

1. Is grace only a New Testament concept?
2. Is judgment only an Old Testament concept?
3. What Did David mean when he wrote passages like Ps 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
4. Psalm 7:11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
5. What all is involved in the opening statements of the model prayer of Mat. 6:9 ¶ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Hint The revelation of the kingdom of Christ gives us insight into a believer's expectations 2 Thes 1

As we have seen many times the last year, God's holiness provides the believer with a biblical balance and right approach to living.

Have confidence in God during the affliction of false accusation.

1. Confidence in God's Ability (vs 1-10)
   A. The Lord's Help (vs 1-8)

          B. The Lord's Healing (vs 9-10)

 

               1. My soul will be joyful (9)

               2. My bones shall say......(10)

                   Ps 22:14,17 – Crucifixion

                   Ps 32:3 – Chastening
                   Ps 52:8 – Cleansing

• the psalmist looked ahead to the time when the LORD delivered him from his affliction as a time of joy.

     II. Confidence in God's Approval (vs 11-17) cf (vs 7)

          A. The behavior of the wicked (vs 11-12, 15-16)

               (vs 11) witnessed falsely against him

               (vs 12) spoiled his soul  -  Spoiling = robbed, bereaved

Pro 17:12 / Jer 18:21

“For the good David did in killing Goliath, and slaying his ten thousands of Philistines, and thereby saving his king and country, Saul and his courtiers envied him, and sought to slay him: so our Lord Jesus Christ, for all the good he did to the Jews, by healing their bodies of diseases, and preaching the gospel to them for the benefit of their souls, was rewarded with reproaches and persecutions, and at last with the shameful death of the cross; and in like manner are his people used, but this is an evil that shall not go unpunished. John Gill.

              (vs 15) rejoiced and gathered against him

              (vs 16) gnashed upon him with teeth in the feasts

          B. The behavior of the righteous (vs 13-14)

          Before there was imprecatory prayer, there was intercessory prayer

               (vs 13) fasting and prayer for them

               (vs 13) prayer was not in vain – here is his confidence
               (vs 14) mourned for them like family

* Notice that Jesus gave a right perspective of personal attitude in Mt 5. - imprecatory prayer must be confined to the desire for God's righteousness to be performed. Not our personal satisfaction. - no lust. - Father forgive them.

3. Confidence in God's Appointing (vs 18-28)

          A. His servant – Darling cf Ps 22:20

          B. His servant's Diligence (vs 18-26)

    1. Demonstrated through praise (vs 18)
    2. Demonstrated through prayer (vs 19) * John 15:25
    3. Demonstrated through patience (vs 20-23) * (Rev 6:8-11)
    4. Demonstrated through purity (vs 24-26)

         C. His servant's Desire (vs 27-28)

    1. The praise of others (vs 27)
    2. The praise of his own tongue (vs 28)