I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.

¹⁹ Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. Psalm 35:18,19

What does your great congregation look like?

 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.

¹⁵ But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:

¹⁶ With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

¹⁷ Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. Psalm 35:14-17

Note David asks God to rescue his soul. What do you think he is asking here?

Malicious witnesses testify against me.
    They accuse me of crimes I know nothing about.
¹² They repay me evil for good.
    I am sick with despair.
¹³ Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them.
    I denied myself by fasting for them,
    but my prayers returned unanswered. Psalm 35:4-13

Who do you think David is thinking of as he writes these words? Speak to me about the conflicting emotions he is feeling in this Psalm? Have you ever been this conflicted?

Then I will rejoice in the Lord.
    I will be glad because he rescues me.
¹⁰ With every bone in my body I will praise him:
    “Lord, who can compare with you?
Who else rescues the helpless from the strong?
    Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?” Psalm 35:9-10

What if we wait for the victory to come before we praise God?

Blow them away like chaff in the wind—
    a wind sent by the angel of the Lord.
⁶ Make their path dark and slippery,
    with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
⁷ I did them no wrong, but they laid a trap for me.
    I did them no wrong, but they dug a pit to catch me.
⁸ So let sudden ruin come upon them!
    Let them be caught in the trap they set for me!
    Let them be destroyed in the pit they dug for me. Psalm 35:6-8

How does one reconcile a prayer like this with the command Jesus gives us to forgive?

Blow them away like chaff in the wind—
    a wind sent by the angel of the Lord.
⁶ Make their path dark and slippery,
    with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
⁷ I did them no wrong, but they laid a trap for me.
    I did them no wrong, but they dug a pit to catch me.
⁸ So let sudden ruin come upon them!
    Let them be caught in the trap they set for me!
    Let them be destroyed in the pit they dug for me. Psalm 35:5-8

How does this prayer fit into the law which says, “You reap what you sow”?

Bring shame and disgrace on those trying to kill me;
    turn them back and humiliate those who want to harm me. Psalm 35:4

Do you think God ever desires to see people humiliated?

Bring shame and disgrace on those trying to kill me;
    turn them back and humiliate those who want to harm me. Psalm 35:4

Have you ever felt so downtrodden that you prayed a prayer like this? How did God help you?

Bring shame and disgrace on those trying to kill me;
    turn them back and humiliate those who want to harm me. Psalm 35:4

Is it odd for you to think of God bringing shame and disgrace? Why or why not?

Put on your armor, and take up your shield.
    Prepare for battle, and come to my aid.
³ Lift up your spear and javelin
    against those who pursue me.
Let me hear you say,
    “I will give you victory!” Psalm 35:2-3

What is the writer really asking for here?