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Psalms 35 · Grade 5

Rise Up to Defend Me

Name Date

Read and Think

Psalm 35's title says it is By David. It is one of the psalms that asks God to act against enemies. David prays, Contend, Yahweh, with those who contend with me, and asks God to brandish the spear and block those who pursue him. He asks that they be as chaff before the wind, with Yahweh's angel driving them on. In this prayer David brings his case to God, the true judge.

David explains why he is so hurt. Without cause they have hidden their net in a pit for me. Unrighteous witnesses rise up. They reward me evil for good. When they were sick, he wore sackcloth, fasted, and bowed down mourning as for his own mother. But in his trouble they rejoiced and gathered against him. Like profane mockers they gnashed their teeth at him. He cries, Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, my precious life from the lions.

Through the whole psalm David's trust shines. My soul shall be joyful in Yahweh. All my bones shall say, Yahweh, who is like you? He asks God, Wake up! Rise up to defend me, my God! Vindicate me according to your righteousness. He wants those who favor his righteous cause to shout for joy and say, May Yahweh be magnified. He ends, My tongue shall talk about your righteousness and about your praise all day long. In the New Testament, Jesus applies the words They hated me without a cause to himself (John 15:25), and Paul teaches believers to leave vengeance to God (Romans 12:19).

Show What You Know

  1. To whom does David bring his case?

  2. How did David treat his enemies when they were sick?

  3. What does David ask God to do in verse 23?

  4. In the New Testament, what does Paul teach about vengeance?

Crossword

52341

Across

  1. My soul shall be ____ in Yahweh.
  2. Take hold of ____ and buckler.

Down

  1. The ____ and the needy from him who robs him.
  2. It shall rejoice in his ____.
  3. The poor and the ____ from him who robs him.

Think About It

  1. David asked God to judge rather than taking revenge. How can you hand unfair treatment over to God?

  2. In the New Testament, Jesus was also hated without a cause (John 15:25). How does that help you when you are treated unfairly?

Memory Verse

All my bones shall say, “Yahweh, who is like you, who delivers the poor from him who is too strong for him; yes, the poor and the needy from him who robs him?”

Psalms 35:10 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for helping the poor and needy. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How can you show grace when someone dislikes you?
  • David longed for those who delight in his righteousness to shout for joy. How can you celebrate when God vindicates others?
  • What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.