False Accusations and Betrayal: Explanatory Notes on Psalm 35:11-28

Reflecting on the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, (Transfiguration): One Day after Sunday (Year C)

Scripture

Psalm 35:11-28; Exodus 35:1-29; Acts 10:9-23a

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Prayer

Holy God, mighty and immortal, you are beyond our knowing, yet we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ, whose compassion illumines the world. Transform us into the likeness of the love of Christ, who renewed our humanity so that we may share in his divinity, the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who live and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Revised Common Lectionary)

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Reflection

Malicious witnesses rise up;

    they ask me about things I do not know.

They repay me evil for good;

    my soul is forlorn.

But as for me, when they were sick,

    I wore sackcloth;

    I afflicted myself with fasting.

I prayed with head bowed on my bosom,

    as though I grieved for a friend or a brother;

I went about as one who laments for a mother,

    bowed down and in mourning.

But at my stumbling they gathered in glee;

    they gathered together against me;

ruffians whom I did not know

    tore at me without ceasing;

they impiously mocked more and more,

    gnashing at me with their teeth.

How long, O Lord, will you look on?

    Rescue me from their ravages,

    my life from the lions!

Then I will thank you in the great congregation;

    in the mighty throng I will praise you.

Do not let my treacherous enemies rejoice over me

    or those who hate me without cause wink the eye.

For they do not speak peace,

    but they conceive deceitful words

    against those who are quiet in the land.

They open wide their mouths against me;

    they say, “Aha, Aha,

    our eyes have seen it.”

You have seen, O Lord; do not be silent!

    O Lord, do not be far from me!

Wake up! Rouse yourself for my defense,

    for my cause, my God and my Lord!

Vindicate me, O Lord, my God,

    according to your righteousness,

    and do not let them rejoice over me.

Do not let them say to themselves,

    “Aha, we have our heart’s desire.”

Do not let them say, “We have swallowed you[c] up.”

Let all those who rejoice at my calamity

    be put to shame and confusion;

let those who exalt themselves against me

    be clothed with shame and dishonor.

Let those who desire my vindication

    shout for joy and be glad

    and say evermore,

“Great is the Lord,

    who delights in the welfare of his servant.”

Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness

    and of your praise all day long (Psalm 35:11-28).

Psalm 35:11-28 is a portion of a psalm in which David calls upon God to deliver him from his enemies. David laments false accusations, the betrayal of those he once cared for, and his desire for God’s justice.