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Psalm 35:1

By David. Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me.

1By David. Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me.
2Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help.
3Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me. Tell my soul, “I am your salvation.”
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Psalm 35:2 →
Notice

David’s plea for God to fight names the danger of being attacked and the need for help beyond your own strength.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What feels hard to entrust to God when you read David’s request that he fight?

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How does the shield and spear language shape your understanding of David’s plea for help?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Joshua 23:10One man of you shall chase a thousand; for it is the LORD your God who fights for you, as he spoke to you.David asks the LORD to fight for him, while Joshua speaks of the LORD fighting for his people as promised.
Psalm 43:1Vindicate me, God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. Oh, deliver me from deceitful and wicked men.Both prayers ask God to take the speaker’s side against opponents and intervene on his behalf.
Jeremiah 51:36Therefore the LORD says: “Behold, I will plead your cause, and take vengeance for you. I will dry up her sea, and make her fountain dry.David asks God to contend with his opponents; Jeremiah records God’s promise to plead a cause and take vengeance.
Psalm 119:154Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.Both prayers appeal to God to take up the speaker’s cause, with Psalm 119 also asking for redemption and renewed life.
Isaiah 49:25But the LORD says, “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the plunder retrieved from the fierce, for I will contend with him who contends …David asks God to contend with those contending with him; Isaiah records God’s promise to do that for those he addresses.
Proverbs 23:11for their Defender is strong. He will plead their case against you.David asks the LORD to contend for him; Proverbs speaks of a strong Defender who will plead another’s case.
Proverbs 22:23for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them.Both texts describe the LORD opposing those who harm others, through David’s plea for battle and Proverbs’ declaration of judgment.
Lamentations 3:58Lord, you have pleaded the causes of my soul. You have redeemed my life.David asks God to take up his cause; the speaker in Lamentations recounts how the Lord has pleaded his causes.
Acts 5:39But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!”The shared thread is opposition involving God: David asks God to fight, while Acts warns against fighting against God.
1 Samuel 24:15May the LORD therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand.”Both prayers ask the LORD to intervene against an opponent, with Samuel’s account naming judgment and deliverance.
Exodus 14:25He took off their chariot wheels, and they drove them heavily; so that the Egyptians said, “Let’s flee from the face of Israel, for the LORD fights for them …David asks the LORD to fight against his attackers; in Exodus, the Egyptians acknowledge that the LORD fights against them.
Micah 7:9I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my case and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the …Both speakers look to God to take up their cause; Micah also confesses sin and accepts the LORD’s indignation.
Where this verse fits

Injustice and anger. fear for the future.

What the Bible says about anger →What the Bible says about fear →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Name one threat and ask God for protection

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Encouragement

Your cry for protection can be blunt. David asks YHWH to fight against his attackers; even this fierce plea belongs in prayer to God.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 35:1. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 35 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).