What does Psalms 35:6 mean?

"Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them." - Psalms 35:6

"Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them." - Psalms 35:6

The verse Psalms 35:6 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the Lord persecute them." This verse comes from a psalm of David, where he implores the Lord to contend with those who contend with him, and to fight against those who fight against him. The psalm is a plea for God's intervention and protection in the face of enemies and adversaries.

The verse begins with the petition, "Let their way be dark and slippery." This imagery of darkness and slipperiness conveys the idea of confusion and instability. It paints a picture of the enemies' path being shrouded in darkness, making it difficult for them to see clearly and find their way. In addition, the slippery nature of their way suggests that they will struggle to maintain their footing and will be prone to stumbling and falling. This could be seen as a metaphor for the moral and spiritual turmoil experienced by those who oppose God and His chosen people.

The second part of the verse calls for the angel of the Lord to persecute the enemies. In the Bible, angels are often depicted as messengers and agents of God's divine will. Here, the "angel of the Lord" is invoked to carry out God's judgment and punishment on the adversaries of David. This reflects a belief in divine retribution and the idea that God's justice will ultimately prevail over the wickedness and oppression of the enemies.

The themes present in this verse are justice, divine intervention, and protection. David is seeking justice from God against those who seek to harm him. He believes in the righteousness of God's judgment and his confidence in God's protection is evident in his plea for the angel of the Lord to persecute his enemies. This psalm highlights the trust and dependence of the believer on God's ability to deliver them from their adversaries.

The context of this verse is important in understanding its significance. According to the heading of the psalm, it was written by David when he was being persecuted by his enemies, particularly by Saul. David, who was anointed by Samuel to be the next king of Israel, faced numerous trials and tribulations as he fled from Saul, who sought to kill him out of jealousy and fear of losing his own kingship. In this psalm, David turns to God for deliverance and vindication, expressing his confidence in God's ability to rescue him from his enemies.

Symbolically, the darkness and slipperiness of the enemies' way can be seen as representing the moral and spiritual blindness that often accompanies those who oppose God and His people. Their path is uncertain and treacherous, leading to their eventual downfall. The invocation of the angel of the Lord as a persecutor symbolizes the divine judgment and punishment that will be meted out to the enemies for their wicked intentions and actions.

In conclusion, Psalms 35:6 is a powerful and evocative verse that reflects the believer's trust in God's justice and protection. It conveys the theme of divine intervention in the face of persecution and opposition, and serves as a reminder that God is a stronghold for those who seek refuge in Him. The imagery and symbolism used in this verse add depth and richness to its meaning, making it a poignant and enduring expression of faith in the face of adversity.

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Psalms 35:6 Artwork

Psalms 35:6 - "Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them."

Psalms 35:6 - "Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them."

"Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them." - Psalms 35:6

"Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them." - Psalms 35:6

Psalms 105:35 - "And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground."

Psalms 105:35 - "And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground."

"And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer." - Psalms 78:35

"And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer." - Psalms 78:35

"With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth." - Psalms 35:16

"With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth." - Psalms 35:16

Psalms 126:6

Psalms 126:6

"He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings." - Psalms 107:35

"He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings." - Psalms 107:35

Psalms 104:35 - "Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD."

Psalms 104:35 - "Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD."

"Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help." - Psalms 35:2

"Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help." - Psalms 35:2

Psalms 78:35 - "And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer."

Psalms 78:35 - "And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer."

Psalms 106:35 - "But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works."

Psalms 106:35 - "But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works."

Psalms 35:16 - "With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth."

Psalms 35:16 - "With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth."

Psalms 115:6 - "They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:"

Psalms 115:6 - "They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:"

Psalms 35:12 - "They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul."

Psalms 35:12 - "They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul."

Psalms 107:35 - "He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings."

Psalms 107:35 - "He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings."

Psalms 35:2 - "Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help."

Psalms 35:2 - "Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help."

Psalms 30:6 - "And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved."

Psalms 30:6 - "And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved."

"Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them." - Psalms 35:5

"Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them." - Psalms 35:5

Psalms 35:20 - "For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land."

Psalms 35:20 - "For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land."

Psalms 35:9 - "And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation."

Psalms 35:9 - "And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation."

Psalms 89:35 - "Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David."

Psalms 89:35 - "Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David."

Psalms 69:35 - "For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession."

Psalms 69:35 - "For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession."

Psalms 119:35 - "Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight."

Psalms 119:35 - "Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight."

Psalms 35:5 - "Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them."

Psalms 35:5 - "Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them."

Psalms 35:28 - "And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long."

Psalms 35:28 - "And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long."

Psalms 129:6 - "Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:"

Psalms 129:6 - "Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up:"

Psalms 144:6 - "Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them."

Psalms 144:6 - "Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them."

Psalms 74:6 - "But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers."

Psalms 74:6 - "But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers."

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

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

Psalms 35:18 - "I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people."

Psalms 35:18 - "I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people."