Psalms 35:6

Let their way be darke and slippery, and let the Angel of the Lord persecute them. Psalms 35:6 (KJV)

Psalm 35 is attributed to King David and is classified as a psalm of imprecation, a prayer for God’s judgment upon the enemies of the psalmist. In this verse David petitions that his adversaries experience darkness and difficulty on their paths, and that the angel of the LORD pursue and afflict them.

Context: To grasp the meaning fully, one must consider the surrounding verses and the overall chapter. Psalm 35 is a plea for divine intervention and deliverance from unjust enemies who seek to harm David. He calls on God to arise, defend him, bring justice to his adversaries, and rescue him from their attacks.

Poetic Language: The Psalms employ vivid imagery and metaphor. Here the imagery of “dark and slippery” describes the way of the enemies, signifying confusion, danger, and difficulty that may lead to their downfall or defeat.

Divine Intervention: David seeks the angel of the LORD as an instrument of God’s judgment. Throughout Scripture angels act as messengers and agents of divine justice. By invoking the angel, David expresses his desire that God intervene on his behalf and execute judgment against his foes.

Spiritual Application: While the psalm reflects personal distress and a longing for justice, it should be read in light of New Testament teachings on forgiveness, love for enemies, and reconciliation. Christians are called to forgive and love those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). This verse reminds believers that in times of trouble they can bring their concerns before God, trusting in His justice and ultimate resolution.