Psalm 35:3
New International Version
Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, “I am your salvation.”

New Living Translation
Lift up your spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Let me hear you say, “I will give you victory!”

English Standard Version
Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!”

Berean Standard Bible
Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers; say to my soul: “I am your salvation.”

King James Bible
Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

New King James Version
Also draw out the spear, And stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

New American Standard Bible
Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me; Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

NASB 1995
Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me; Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

NASB 1977
Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me; Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me; Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

Amplified Bible
Draw also the spear and javelin to meet those who pursue me. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

Christian Standard Bible
Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers, and assure me, “I am your deliverance.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers, and assure me: “I am your deliverance.”

American Standard Version
Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that pursue me: Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

Contemporary English Version
Aim your spear at everyone who hunts me down, but promise to save me.

English Revised Version
Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that pursue me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Hold your spear to block the way of those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your savior."

Good News Translation
Lift up your spear and war ax against those who pursue me. Promise that you will save me.

International Standard Version
Take out the spear and the ax to confront the one who pursues me; say to me, "I am your deliverer!"

Majority Standard Bible
Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers; say to my soul: “I am your salvation.”

NET Bible
Use your spear and lance against those who chase me! Assure me with these words: "I am your deliverer!"

New Heart English Bible
Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me. Tell my soul, "I am your salvation."

Webster's Bible Translation
Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say to my soul, I am thy salvation.

World English Bible
Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me. Tell my soul, “I am your salvation.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And draw out spear and lance, "" To meet my pursuers. Say to my soul, “I [am] your salvation.”

Young's Literal Translation
And draw out spear and lance, To meet my pursuers. Say to my soul, 'Thy salvation I am.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Draw out the spear, and shut up to the meeting of them pursuing me: say to my soul, I am thy salvation.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Bring out the sword, and shut up the way against them that persecute me : say to my soul : I am thy salvation.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Bring forth the spear, and close in on those who persecute me. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

New American Bible
Brandish lance and battle-ax against my pursuers. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

New Revised Standard Version
Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers; say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Draw out the sword and flash it against them that persecute me; say unto my soul. I am your Saviour.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Draw out a sword and cause it to flash against my persecutors, and say to my soul, "I am your Savior.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Draw out also the spear, and the battle-axe, against them that pursue me; Say unto my soul: 'I am Thy salvation.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Bring forth a sword, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say to my soul, I am thy salvation.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Contend with My Opponents
2Take up Your shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. 3Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers; say to my soul: “I am your salvation.” 4May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plan to harm me be driven back and confounded.…

Cross References
Exodus 14:13-14
But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. / The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

2 Chronicles 20:17
You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’”

Deuteronomy 20:4
For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”

Isaiah 43:1-2
But now, this is what the LORD says—He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine! / When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

2 Timothy 4:18
And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”

Ephesians 6:10-11
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. / Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Psalm 27:1
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?

1 John 4:4
You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

Zechariah 4:6
So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.


Treasury of Scripture

Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say to my soul, I am your salvation.

stop

Psalm 27:2
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

Psalm 76:10
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

1 Samuel 23:26,27
And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them…

say

Psalm 51:12
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Psalm 62:7
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Psalm 91:16
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

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Am' Battle-Axe Block Brandish Deliverance Draw Javelin Lance Meet Persecute Pursue Pursuers Salvation Soul Spear Stop Way
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Am' Battle-Axe Block Brandish Deliverance Draw Javelin Lance Meet Persecute Pursue Pursuers Salvation Soul Spear Stop Way
Psalm 35
1. David prays for his own safety, and his enemies' confusion
11. He complains of their wrongful dealing
22. Thereby he incites God against them














Draw the spear
The phrase "Draw the spear" in Psalm 35:3 evokes a vivid image of God as a divine warrior, ready to defend His people. The Hebrew word for "spear" is "ḥănîṯ," which is often associated with warfare and protection. In ancient times, a spear was a primary weapon used in battle, symbolizing strength and readiness. This imagery reassures believers of God's active involvement in their struggles, emphasizing His role as a protector who is prepared to intervene on behalf of His faithful.

and javelin
The addition of "and javelin" further intensifies the image of God as a mighty defender. The Hebrew term "sāgôr" can be translated as "javelin" or "weapon," underscoring the completeness of God's armory. Historically, a javelin was a versatile weapon, used both for throwing and close combat, indicating God's ability to address threats from any distance. This phrase assures believers that God is fully equipped to handle any adversary, providing comprehensive protection.

against my pursuers
The phrase "against my pursuers" identifies the adversaries as those who relentlessly chase or seek harm. The Hebrew root "rāḏap" conveys the idea of pursuit with hostile intent. In the historical context of David's life, he often faced enemies who sought his life, making this plea for divine intervention deeply personal. For contemporary believers, this phrase serves as a reminder that God is aware of those who pursue us with ill intent, and He stands ready to confront them on our behalf.

Say to my soul
"Say to my soul" reflects a deep, personal communication between God and the psalmist. The Hebrew word "nep̄eš," translated as "soul," encompasses the entirety of one's being—mind, will, and emotions. This phrase highlights the intimate relationship between the believer and God, where God speaks directly to the innermost part of a person. It emphasizes the importance of divine reassurance and the peace that comes from hearing God's voice in times of distress.

I am your salvation
The declaration "I am your salvation" is a profound affirmation of God's role as the ultimate deliverer. The Hebrew word "yēšaʿ" means "salvation" or "deliverance," and it is often used in the context of God rescuing His people from danger. This statement is not just a promise of physical rescue but also a spiritual assurance of God's saving power. For believers, it is a reminder that salvation is found in God alone, and He is both willing and able to save us from all forms of peril. This phrase encapsulates the essence of faith, trusting in God's promise to be our refuge and strength.

(3) Draw out also the spear--i.e., from the sheath, that seems to have been used to guard its point. So ????????? (Homer, Odyssey, i. 128).

Stop the way.--So LXX., Vulg., and all ancient versions. Many modern scholars, however, are disposed to treat the word segor not as the imperative of a verb, but as a noun, equivalent to the Greek ???????, Latin, securis, a Persian and Scythian weapon mentioned by Herodotus (i. 215, iv. 70) and Xenophon (Anab., iv. 4, 16), and generally taken for a battle-axe, but by some as a short curved sword or a scimitar. It is identified by Sir Henry Rawlinson with the khanjar of modern Persia, "a short curved double-edged dagger, almost universally worn." The Bedouins of modern Egypt use a schagur.

The adoption of this rendering makes an excellent parallelism, and suits the word rendered "against," which really means "to meet," and suggests an onset instead of a mere passive attitude of defence.

Verse 3. - Draw out also the spear; rather, bring out also the spear, since spears were not, so far as is known, kept in sheaths, like swords (Exodus 15:9), but only laid up in an armoury. And stop the way against them that persecute me. So Jarchi, Rosenmuller, Hitzig, Kay, Professor Alexander, Hengstenberg, and our Revisers; but a large number of critics regard סְגר - the word translated "stop the way" - as really the name of a weapon, the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek σάγαρις, which was probably the battle-axe. (So Vitringa, Michaelis, Bishop Horsley, Cheyne, Mr. Aglen, and the 'Speaker's Commentary.') The passage will then read, "Bring out also the spear and the battle-axe against them that persecute me," which is certainly a better parallel to "Take hold of shield and buckler," than "Bring out the spear, and stop the way." Say unto my soul, I am thy Salvation. Comfort my soul, i.e., with the assurance that thou art, and wilt ever be, ray Salvation (comp. Psalm 27:1; Psalm 62:2, 6; Psalm 118:14, 21, etc.). Deliverance from the immediate danger is not all that is meant; but rather support and saving help in all dangers and in all troubles.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Draw
וְהָ֘רֵ֤ק (wə·hā·rêq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7324: Arm, cast out, draw out, make empty, pour forth out

the spear
חֲנִ֣ית (ḥă·nîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2595: A lance

and javelin
וּ֭סְגֹר (ū·sə·ḡōr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5462: To shut up, to surrender

against
לִקְרַ֣את (liq·raṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7125: Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way

my pursuers;
רֹדְפָ֑י (rō·ḏə·p̄āy)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

say
אֱמֹ֥ר (’ĕ·mōr)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to my soul:
לְ֝נַפְשִׁ֗י (lə·nap̄·šî)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

“I [am]
אָֽנִי׃ (’ā·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

your salvation.”
יְֽשֻׁעָתֵ֥ךְ (yə·šu·‘ā·ṯêḵ)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 3444: Something saved, deliverance, aid, victory, prosperity


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OT Poetry: Psalm 35:3 Brandish the spear and block those who (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 35:2
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