Mazmur 35:22-24

35:22 But you take notice, ¹  Lord!

O Lord, do not remain far away from me!

35:23 Rouse yourself, wake up ²  and vindicate me! ³ 

My God and Lord, defend my just cause! ⁴ 

35:24 Vindicate me by your justice, O Lord my God!

Do not let them gloat ⁵  over me!

[35:22]  ¹ tn Heb “you see, O Lord.” There is a deliberate play on words. In v. 21 the enemies say, “our eye sees,” but the psalmist is confident that the Lord “sees” as well, so he appeals to him for help (see also v. 17).

[35:23]  ² sn Though he is confident that the Lord is aware of his situation (see v. 22a), the psalmist compares the Lord’s inactivity to sleep and urges him to wake up.

[35:23]  ³ tn Heb “for my justice.”

[35:23]  ⁴ tn Heb “for my cause.”

[35:24]  ⁵ tn Heb “rejoice.”