Psalms 35:23
Psalms 35:23 in Multiple Translations
Awake and rise to my defense, to my cause, my God and my Lord!
Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
Stir up thyself, and awake to the justice due unto me, Even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
Be awake, O Lord, be moved to take up my cause, my God and my Lord.
Wake up! Get up and defend me, my Lord and my God! Take up my case and make sure justice is done!
Arise and wake to my iudgement, euen to my cause, my God, and my Lord.
Stir up, and wake to my judgment, My God, and my Lord, to my plea.
Wake up! Rise up to defend me, my God! My Lord, contend for me!
Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even to my cause, my God and my LORD.
Arise, my God, and plead my case in court, and successfully defend me!
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 35:23
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 35:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הָעִ֣ירָ/ה
וְ֭/הָקִיצָ/ה
לְ/מִשְׁפָּטִ֑/י
אֱלֹהַ֖/י
וַֽ/אדֹנָ֣/י
לְ/רִיבִֽ/י
הָעִ֣ירָ/ה
ʻûwr
H5782
to rouse
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
וְ֭/הָקִיצָ/ה
qûwts
H6974
to awake
Conj | V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
לְ/מִשְׁפָּטִ֑/י
mishpâṭ
H4941
justice
Prep | N-ms | Suff
אֱלֹהַ֖/י
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp | Suff
וַֽ/אדֹנָ֣/י
ʼĂdônây
H136
Lord
Conj | N-mp | Suff
לְ/רִיבִֽ/י
rîyb
H7379
strife
Prep | N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 35:23
הָעִ֣ירָ/ה
ʻûwr
H5782
"to rouse"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
To rouse means to wake up or stir someone into action. It can also mean to be excited or triumphant, and is used in the Bible to describe God stirring up his people. This word is about being awakened or energized.
Definition: 1) to rouse oneself, awake, awaken, incite 1a) (Qal) to rouse oneself, awake 1b) (Niphal) to be roused 1c) (Polel) to stir up, rouse, incite 1d) (Hithpolel) to be excited, be triumphant 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to rouse, stir up 1e2) to act in an aroused manner, awake
Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: (a-) wake(-n, up), lift up (self), [idiom] master, raise (up), stir up (self). See also: Deuteronomy 32:11; Isaiah 10:26; Psalms 7:7.
וְ֭/הָקִיצָ/ה
qûwts
H6974
"to awake"
Conj | V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means to wake up or be awake, like when God told Samuel to arise and anoint a new king in 1 Samuel 16:3. It can also mean to be watchful, as in Psalm 102:7.
Definition: 1) to awake, wake up 1a) (Hiphil) to awaken, arouse, show signs of waking, awake
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: arise, (be) (a-) wake, watch. See also: 1 Samuel 26:12; Proverbs 23:35; Psalms 3:6.
לְ/מִשְׁפָּטִ֑/י
mishpâṭ
H4941
"justice"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) judgment, justice, ordinance 1a) judgment 1a1) act of deciding a case 1a2) place, court, seat of judgment 1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges) 1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment) 1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment) 1a6) execution (of judgment) 1a7) time (of judgment) 1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) 1c) ordinance 1d) decision (in law) 1e) right, privilege, due (legal) 1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
Usage: Occurs in 406 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. See also: Genesis 18:19; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalms 1:5.
אֱלֹהַ֖/י
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
וַֽ/אדֹנָ֣/י
ʼĂdônây
H136
"Lord"
Conj | N-mp | Suff
Adonay is a title used to refer to God, spoken in place of Yahweh as a sign of reverence and respect. It is used throughout the Bible to address God or refer to Him in a formal way. Adonay is a term of worship and devotion.
Definition: Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 430 OT verses. KJV: (my) Lord. See also: Genesis 15:2; Isaiah 3:17; Psalms 2:4.
לְ/רִיבִֽ/י
rîyb
H7379
"strife"
Prep | N-cs | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to a dispute or quarrel between people, which can be a physical fight or a verbal argument. It is often used to describe a lawsuit or controversy, and appears in books like Deuteronomy and Job.
Definition: 1) strife, controversy, dispute 1a) strife, quarrel 1b) dispute, controversy, case at law
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, cause, chiding, contend(-tion), controversy, multitude (from the margin), pleading, strife, strive(-ing), suit. See also: Genesis 13:7; Proverbs 17:1; Psalms 18:44.
Study Notes — Psalms 35:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 35:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 35:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 35:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 35:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 35:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 35:23
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 35:23
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 35:23
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 35:23
- Sermons on Psalms 35:23
Context — Contend with My Opponents, O LORD
21They gape at me and say, “Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen!”
22O LORD, You have seen it; be not silent. O Lord, be not far from me.
23Awake and rise to my defense, to my cause, my God and my Lord!
24Vindicate me by Your righteousness, O LORD my God, and do not let them gloat over me. 25Let them not say in their hearts, “Aha, just what we wanted!” Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up!”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 44:23 | Wake up, O Lord! Why are You sleeping? Arise! Do not reject us forever. |
| 2 | Psalms 7:6 | Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; rise up against the fury of my enemies. Awake, my God, and ordain judgment. |
| 3 | Isaiah 51:9 | Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon? |
| 4 | Psalms 80:2 | before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Rally Your mighty power and come to save us. |
| 5 | Psalms 142:5 | I cry to You, O LORD: “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” |
| 6 | Psalms 59:4 | For no fault of my own, they move swiftly to attack me. Arise to help me, and take notice. |
| 7 | Psalms 89:26 | He will call to Me, ‘You are my Father, my God, the Rock of my salvation.’ |
| 8 | John 20:28 | Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!” |
Psalms 35:23 Summary
Psalms 35:23 is a prayer where the writer is asking God to wake up and defend him against his enemies. The writer is saying, 'God, I need your help, please get up and defend me!' This is like when we feel bullied or treated unfairly, and we ask a parent or teacher to help us. The Bible teaches that God is our defender and helper, as seen in Psalms 121:1-2, where God is our helper and keeper. We can trust God to take care of us and defend us when we are in trouble, just like the psalmist is trusting God in this verse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the phrase 'Awake and rise to my defense' in Psalms 35:23?
This phrase is a cry to God to take action and defend the psalmist against his enemies, similar to God's response in Psalms 7:6 and Isaiah 51:9-10, where God is called upon to arise and defend His people.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's justice?
Psalms 35:23 is a plea for God to execute justice on behalf of the psalmist, reflecting the broader biblical theme of God's justice as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4 and Romans 12:19, where God is the ultimate judge and avenger.
What does it mean to say 'my God and my Lord' in this context?
The phrase 'my God and my Lord' is a declaration of the psalmist's personal relationship with God, emphasizing his trust and dependence on God, much like Jesus' statement in John 20:28, where He is acknowledged as Lord and God.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives when facing persecution or hardship?
We can apply Psalms 35:23 to our lives by crying out to God in prayer, trusting in His power and justice, and remembering that He is our defender and Lord, as seen in Psalms 34:17-20, where God delivers the righteous from their troubles.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways can I trust God to defend me when I am facing opposition or hardship?
- How does my understanding of God's justice and righteousness impact my prayers and expectations?
- What does it mean for me to acknowledge God as 'my God and my Lord' in my daily life?
- In what ways can I wait on God and trust in His timing, even when it seems like He is slow to respond?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 35:23
Stir up thyself and awake,.... Who seemed to be asleep in the apprehensions of the psalmist, and to take no notice of his distresses, and the insults of his enemies; see Psalms 44:23; he adds, to my
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 35:23
Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. Awake ... - awake to vindicate my right and plead my cause (Psalms 9:4; Psalms 18:2).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 35:23
At last undertake to plead my cause against mine adversaries.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 35:23
Psalms 35:23 Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, [even] unto my cause, my God and my Lord.Ver. 23. Stir up thyself and awake] This is the same in effect with the beginning of the psalm; to show his ardour and intention of affection.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 35:23
(23) Stir up thyself.—Comp. Psalms 7:6.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 35:23
Verse 23. Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment] I have delivered my cause into thy hand, and appeal to thee as my Judge; and by thy decision I am most willing to abide.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 35:23
23. Arouse and awake for my judgement, O my God and my Lord, for my cause.Interpose to do me justice, and defend my cause. Cp. Psalms 35:1, and see note on Psalms 7:6.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 35:23
Stir up thyself - Arouse thyself as if from sleep. See Psalms 44:23. And awake to my judgment - To execute judgment for me, or to render me justice. A similar petition (almost in the same words) occurs in Psalms 7:6.
Sermons on Psalms 35:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Prayer in the Time of Trouble by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith addresses the issue of seeking righteous judgment from God in the face of an ungodly nation. He begins by acknowledging the sad reality of a nati |
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Why God Allows Suffering by Roy Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the contrasting elements of the world we live in. He uses the analogy of two painters working on the same canvas, one creating a beautiful pi |
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The Breaking Point by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson addresses the struggles many Christians, particularly the youth, face at their breaking point, feeling overwhelmed by societal pressures, personal crises, and menta |
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Arise, O Lord, in Thine Anger, Lift Up Thyself Because of the Rage of Mine Enemies by John Calvin | John Calvin emphasizes the importance of praying in faith according to God's commands, rather than selfish desires, by relying on God's word and promises. He highlights the need to |
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(Awake! Series): Two Kinds of Sleeping People by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being alert and responsive to the call of God. He compares it to a person who suddenly wakes up and reacts quickly when th |
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18th Century: Revolution and Revival by Alan Cairns | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of preaching the word of God. He shares an anecdote about a television producer who was surprised by the length of his sermon |
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Today's Sleeping Giant by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the Church as a 'sleeping giant' with immense potential to impact the world, akin to Napoleon's view of China. He warns that the Church's current state |