Read
Psalm 35:3
Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me. Tell my soul, “I am your salvation.”
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.
5Let them be as chaff before the wind, the LORD’s angel driving them on.
Notice
The spear makes this a plea for armed defense against pursuers, while the request for God to speak shows how much assurance matters amid danger.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What stands out to you about David asking for both a blocked path and a word from God?
Write on thisWhere do you need protection, and how might David's request for assurance shape your prayer?
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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
Exodus 17:12But Moses’ hands were heavy; so they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the …Both passages concern needed help: David asks God for defense, while Moses receives physical support from Aaron and Hur.
Isaiah 12:2Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD, the LORD, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation.”David asks God to assure him of salvation; Isaiah declares that God is his salvation and expresses trust.
Psalm 27:2When evildoers came at me to eat up my flesh, even my adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.Both describe threatening enemies: Psalm 35 asks God to block pursuers, while Psalm 27 recounts adversaries stumbling and falling.
Psalm 51:12Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.Both prayers seek help within the person through God's salvation: assurance for the soul and restored joy.
Psalm 91:16I will satisfy him with long life, and show him my salvation.”David asks to hear that God is his salvation; Psalm 91 promises that God will show his salvation.
Isaiah 8:9–10Make an uproar, you peoples, and be broken in pieces! Listen, all you from far countries: dress for battle, and be shattered! Dress for battle, and be …Battle language connects these passages: David asks God to brandish a spear, while Isaiah warns peoples dressed for battle of shattering defeat.
Luke 2:30for my eyes have seen your salvation,Salvation connects David's request for God's assurance with Luke's declaration that God's salvation has been seen.
Genesis 49:18I have waited for your salvation, LORD.Both speakers look to the LORD for salvation, one asking for assurance and the other expressing that he has waited.
Job 1:10Haven’t you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance …Protection links David's plea to block pursuers with the hedge around Job described in the question.
Isaiah 10:12Therefore it will happen that when the Lord has performed his whole work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the willful proud heart of …Both portray God acting against people: David asks him to block pursuers, while Isaiah announces punishment for Assyria's proud king.
Psalm 76:10Surely the wrath of man praises you. The survivors of your wrath are restrained.Restraint links these texts: David asks God to block pursuers, while Psalm 76 speaks of survivors of God's wrath being restrained.
Acts 4:28to do whatever your hand and your counsel foreordained to happen.Both address God's action, though David asks for protection and Acts speaks of what God's hand and counsel had foreordained.
Where this verse fits
Fear for the future. injustice and anger. anxiety or panic.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
David asks God to take up arms against pursuers and speak assurance to his soul. He entrusts his defense to God, seeking salvation from the one he addresses.
Now put it in your words.
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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).