Psalms 35:23 Meaning and Explanation
“Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist urgently calls on God to become active in his cause and defense.
The Context of Psalms 35:23
The psalmist calls for God's urgent, active engagement.
What Does Psalms 35:23 Mean?
'Stir up thyself, and awake' use the language of rousing someone from sleep or inaction. The psalmist is not suggesting God is actually asleep but expressing his sense of urgency and God's seeming distance. He calls God to full, active attention to his case.
The appeal to God as 'my God and my Lord' reminds God of the covenant relationship between them. The psalmist's cause is not a stranger's cause but that of one in relationship with God, strengthening the basis of the appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 35:23
What does Psalms 35:23 mean?
The psalmist urgently calls on God to become active in his cause and defense.
What is the context of Psalms 35:23?
The psalmist calls for God's urgent, active engagement.