Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Chapter 2: Psalms 18–38

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Psalm 35 with Augustine – Retribution and Reward Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. . . . Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me (vv. 1, 3). Who persecutes you? By chance your neighbor, or someone you have offended, or someone you have wronged, or who would take what is yours, or someone whose sin you rebuke, or someone who is jealous of you. These enemies are indeed against us, and they persecute us: but other enemies we fight invisibly, who the Apostle warns us about, saying, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood,” that is, against humans; not against those we can see, but against those we can not see; “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world” (Eph 6:12).

But what can be done? Since they hid their net for me without cause (v. 7). I have done nothing against them, I have hurt them not at all. May the net they hid entangle them (v. 8). There is nothing more just than a magnificent retribution! They

Augustine on Psalm 35 “Seek him, who made all things, and in him

and from him you will have all things which he made.”

have hidden a trap for me; let a trap come upon them. They are deceived when they want to deceive. Mischief will come to them, where they made mischief. This then for the wicked that would hurt me. Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation (v. 9), not seeking other riches, not seeking earthly pleasure, but loving freely the true Spouse. For what better thing than God will be given to me? When God says to you, ask what you want, what will you ask? Empty your mind, stretch forward as far as possible,