Keraia
Psalm 35

Psalm 35:6

Contend with My Opponents, O LORD · Psalm 35:1–28
Read Psalm 35

Translations

Modern
May their path be dark and slick, as the angel of the LORD pursues.
Traditional
Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the Lord persecute them.
Literal
Let their path be darkness and slickness—and let the angel of YHWH pursue them!
Latin
Fiat via illorum tenebræ et lubricum, et angelus Domini persequens eos.

Original

Hebrew
English
May their path be dark and slick, as the angel of the LORD pursues.

Notes

Psalms 35:6

  • A dark and slick path suggests instability and sudden disaster under the Lord's judgment (see Psalms 69:23; 73:18; 82:5; 107:10; 143:3).

  • The angel of the LORD is an agent of judgment as well as salvation.

Psalms 35:4–10

The psalmist desires the Lord's salvation. The language may seem harsh, but it comes from a wish for justice and for the Lord to help the needy and oppressed.

Psalms 35:1–28

In this lament, the Lord's troubled servant asks God to notice his situation and defend him.

Theme notes and profiles

David Darkness and Light

Glossary

Darkness David Imprecatory Psalms Music Psalms, Book of

Topics

Angel (A Spirit): Execute Judgments Upon the Wicked Angel (Holy Trinity): One of the Holy Trinity: Called Angel of the Lord Angels: Execute the Judgments of God Enemy: General Scriptures Concerning Gnashing of Teeth: General Scriptures Concerning