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Psalm 35:2

Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help.

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.”
4Let those who seek after my soul be disappointed and brought to dishonor. Let those who plot my ruin be turned back and confounded.
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Notice

Shield and buckler make David’s plea concrete: pursued by people seeking his life, he asks God to take up arms and come to his defense.

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

What does the request for shield and buckler express that a general request for help might leave unsaid?

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Where do you need God’s defense, and what would you name in a prayer for help?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

10 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
Psalm 91:4He will cover you with his feathers. Under his wings you will take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart.Both passages use a shield to describe God’s protection, with Psalm 91 naming his faithfulness as that shield.
Exodus 15:3The LORD is a man of war. The LORD is his name.David asks the LORD to take up arms; Exodus names the LORD as a man of war.
Isaiah 42:13The LORD will go out like a mighty man. He will stir up zeal like a man of war. He will raise a war cry. Yes, he will shout aloud. He will triumph over his …Both portray the LORD as a warrior: David asks him to act, while Isaiah declares his triumph over enemies.
Deuteronomy 32:41–42if I sharpen my glittering sword, my hand grasps it in judgment; I will take vengeance on my adversaries, and will repay those who hate me.Both picture God taking hold of weapons, though David seeks defense and Deuteronomy describes judgment against God’s adversaries.
2 Samuel 22:31As for God, his way is perfect. The LORD’s word is tested. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.David asks God to take up a shield; Samuel describes God himself as a shield for those seeking refuge.
Isaiah 13:5They come from a far country, from the uttermost part of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.Both use weapons in describing divine action, though Psalm 35 seeks personal defense and Isaiah describes destruction of a land.
Psalm 7:12–13If a man doesn’t repent, he will sharpen his sword; he has bent and strung his bow.Both depict God armed for conflict, with shield and buckler here and sword and bow in Psalm 7.
Psalm 44:26Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness’ sake.Both prayers ask God to rise and help, making an urgent appeal for his intervention.
Jeremiah 11:20But, LORD of Armies, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind, I will see your vengeance on them; for to you I have revealed my cause.Both speakers bring their cause before the LORD, asking him to act against those who threaten them.
Psalm 18:37I will pursue my enemies, and overtake them. I won’t turn away until they are consumed.Both concern conflict with enemies, though Psalm 35 asks God for defense and Psalm 18 describes the speaker pursuing them.
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 need for protection in prayer

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Encouragement

David’s prayer is urgent because the danger is real. Your words need no polish when you ask for protection; this plea directs the need for defense to God.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 35:2. 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).