Facing False Friends

Series on the Psalms

Text: Psalm 35

Title: Facing False Friends

Introduction

This is one of the longer songs of David written out of the affliction that so often characterized his journey. It could have been written on several different occasions. If you have been with us for many of the studies of the early Psalms you are probably growing weary with the repetition of this theme of persecution by enemies. Do not be hasty or careless in judgment and underestimate the seriousness of this issue. David’s preoccupation with this issue is red flag raised on the mast of discipleship. He would not write about it so much if it were not a serious problem. Furthermore Jesus says in Matthew 5:10-12, Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Each one of these Psalms is like a different facet of a diamond revealing a slightly different perspective. This Psalm teaches us about facing the world realistically. But in this case the world includes the unexpected, the trusted friend. It takes off the rose-colored glasses of unbelief and reminds us that we are walking in a dangerous and difficult place. Like Bunyan’s Pilgrim we must pass through great danger on a narrow path. The world is full of temptation and derision, of hatred and opposition and threatens to undo us. The Lord says all those who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Sometimes it comes from unusual places. The Psalmist David finds three things, Intrigue, Ingratitude and Insult. The question is what does he do about it?

I. Intrigue

The Psalmist is pleading for deliverance in verses 1-3, Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.” Say unto my soul, “I am thy salvation” The description of Intrigue is in verses 4-10, May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away; may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them. Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, may ruin overtake them by surprise-may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin. Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation. My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, O LORD? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.” There is a definite element of plotting against God’s servant as Paul experienced in Philippians 1:15-18, It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. What is David’s answer to this intrigue? He too says “What does it matter,” and he pleads innocence. God is his refuge. As the anointed king of Israel, God’s son and servant, David exemplifies our position before God which is one of innocence. It is not that we have not sinned, far from it. Rather, we who trust in Christ have the forgiveness of God and we are essentially innocent. We are the objects of his mercy and through Christ we are made perfectly righteous in God’s sight. Though this is our refuge, merely reciting it is not enough to stand against the world’s intrigue. I Peter 3:9-14 reminds us that we also need a real innocence, Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” If we do not have this, then, regardless of the firmness of our eternal destiny we will suffer doubt and uncertainty in our own hearts. And what if we do fail, and we certainly do? Then there must be repentance and restoration. Like David we must have tender hearts that seek to walk in the light. Though he was obtuse on some occasions, yet David’s life was characterized by penitence. This is the way to the confidence David displays in the face of the intrigue around him. That is why Paul was able to say, What does it matter? He had that same confidence.

II. Ingratitude

The ingratitude of his enemies in verses 11-18 mystifies David, Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about. They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn. Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother. But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; attackers gathered against me when I was unaware. They slandered me without ceasing. Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me. O Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you. Is this the way he has treated them? Not at all. They repay me evil for good. David’s conduct is described in verses 13 and 14 and the response of his enemies is found in verses 15 and 16. How do you act when people pay back evil for good? I am not speaking only about the unbelieving world here. Christians are quite capable of paying back evil for good. These are people close to David, for whom he cared. Notice the language of verse 16 “like the ungodly” for these were people of whom you would expect better things. Like those who were stirring up trouble for Paul, these people were unexpected sources of difficulty. David is indignant, but what does he do? He writes and sings and prays. He takes his case to God. Isn’t this what Paul is telling us to do in Romans 8:31-35, What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life, is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? In like fashion to Paul, the Psalmist anticipates a celebration at his deliverance.

III. Insults

Intrigue, ingratitude, and now insulting behavior in verses 19-28, Let not those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; let not those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye. They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land. They gape at me and say, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it.” O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord. Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord. Vindicate me in your righteousness, O LORD my God; do not let them gloat over me. Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!” or say, “We have swallowed him up.” May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace. May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.” My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long. Gossip and slander, coming from associates? Why else are the apostolic writings so full of warnings about these sins as in Ephesians 4:29-32, Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. We also find this in Titus 3:1,2, Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. The words the psalmist uses to describe this behavior are: they gloat, they hate without reason, they maliciously wink the eye, they devise false accusations, they say aha, aha, just what we wanted, and we have swallowed him up. In the face of this David prays for vindication. It is important to note that he is not asking for something in the distant future. The cause of God and the truth are closely tied to the vindication of his servants now. You really have to be in this situation to appreciate the importance of vindication. If a servant of the Lord is maliciously attacked, it is important that his reputation be cleared because the work of the Lord will be greatly hindered. We too can suffer the intrigue, the ingratitude and the insults of those we thought were friends. What David teaches us is the place of confident prayer and trust in God at such times.

Summary of Psalm 35

In Psalm 35 David provides us with a unique perspective on persecution. We know that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution and we expect this from the unbelieving world. Sometimes, however, we are betrayed and injured in the house of our friends. In this Psalm David complains of the intrigue, the ingratitude and the insults of those who were once trusted. He has prayed and mourned and wept for these people as if they were the closest member of his family and now they plot, they mock and they forget his kindness. What is the right attitude toward this? Be sure your own heart is right with God, trust the Lord, and pray for vindication so that God’s work will not be undermined.