Psalms 35

I am thy salvation

Jehovah — the LORD, the covenant name of the premortal Christ

Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. Psalms 35:3

David asks the LORD to tell him, I am thy salvation. Jehovah does not only give salvation; He is salvation, as fulfilled in Jesus, whose name means Jehovah saves.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• the same title in Isaiah 12:2 — The LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
• alludes to Matthew 1:21 — Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

False witnesses against the righteous one

False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. Psalms 35:11–12

False witnesses accuse the innocent sufferer, and he is repaid evil for good. At Jesus's trial the council sought false witnesses against Him, though He had done only good.

• fulfilled by Matthew 26:59-60 — Sought false witness against Jesus... yea, though many false witnesses came.
• fulfilled by Mark 14:56 — Many bare false witness against him.

Mocked and torn

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: Psalms 35:15–16

The sufferer is torn and mocked by jeering enemies, echoing the soldiers and rulers who mocked and struck Jesus.

• alludes to Mark 15:19-20 — They smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him... when they had mocked him.

Hated without a cause

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

Jesus told His disciples that the world's hatred of Him fulfilled the words, They hated me without a cause. The phrase appears here and in Psalm 69:4.

• quoted by John 15:25 — That the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
• the same title in Psalms 69:4 — They that hate me without a cause.

My God and my Lord

Jehovah — the LORD, the covenant name of the premortal Christ

Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. Psalms 35:23

David addresses the LORD as my God and my Lord. Thomas used nearly the same words when he recognized the risen Jesus.

• alludes to John 20:28 — Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.