Psalms 35:25Don't let them say in their heart, "Aha! That's the way we want it!" Don't let them say, "We have swallowed him up!"
The setting
Ancient Israel, ~1000 BC. David hiding in caves or fleeing persecution, probably from Saul or Absalom. Writing by firelight in the wilderness outside Jerusalem, Israel.
The emotion here: desperate and hunted but clinging to God's justice
The original word
he'ah (הֶאָח) — triumphant exclamation 'Aha!' expressing malicious satisfaction
Why it matters
Ancient Hebrew contains specific words for different types of malicious celebration
Read with care
What most readers miss in Psalms 35:25
The phrase 'swallowed him up' uses language of death and the grave
Common misconceptionPeople think this is about personal revenge, but David is asking God to defend His own reputation through defending His servant.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Psalms 35:25
Bible Genome reading
Psalms 35:25 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Psalms 35:25 comes from the book of Psalms, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is seeking, with a comfort power of 50% and a tone that is urgent. It belongs to the psalm genre of biblical literature. Key themes include enemy defeat, protection. Notable phrases: Don't let them say; We have swallowed him up. This verse is a prayer.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same seeking
“Pray without ceasing.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“But let justice roll on like rivers, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
— Amos 5:24
“Be it far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that …”
— Genesis 18:25
“Call to me, and I will answer you, and will show you great things, and difficult, which you don't know.”
— Jeremiah 33:3
“Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evi…”
— Luke 11:4
Your reflection
What does Psalms 35:25 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "seeking"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.