Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

PSALMS 35:3KJV
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Psalms 35:3 (KJV)

What does Psalms 35:3 mean?

Psalms 35:3 is a plea for God to protect the speaker from people who are pursuing him. The speaker also asks God for a personal assurance that God will rescue him. The verse joins a request for help against danger with a request to hear a reassuring promise.

After the shield imagery in verse 2, the spear presents God as a defender facing the pursuers. “Say unto my soul” makes the request for reassurance deeply personal: the speaker wants to hear that God is his source of rescue.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 35:3

  • “soul” — נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh): This word can refer to a person’s life or the person as a whole. Here, “say unto my soul” expresses a direct appeal to the speaker’s very self.
  • “salvation” — יְשׁוּעָה (yeshuʿah): This word often means rescue or deliverance. In this verse, the speaker asks God to identify himself as the one who brings that rescue.
  • “persecute” — רָדַף (radaph): This word can mean to pursue or chase. It gives the enemies the picture of people actively coming after the speaker.

Why Psalms 35:3 matters

  • The danger is pictured as an active pursuit, not merely a disagreement. The speaker asks God to “stop the way” against those who persecute him.
  • The requested assurance is stated as God’s own words. “I am thy salvation” gives the speaker a direct promise, rather than only describing an outcome.
  • The plea continues a picture of God taking the speaker’s side. Verse 1 asks God to contend with those who contend with him, while verse 3 pictures God confronting the pursuers.

Where else these words appear

“out” Hebrew H7324 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • Song of Solomon 1:3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
  • Ezekiel 12:14 And I will scatter toward every wind all that are about him to help him, and all his bands; and I will draw out the sword after them.

“spear” Hebrew H2595 · used in 40 verses

  • 1 Samuel 13:19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
  • 1 Samuel 26:8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:20 And Abishai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three: for lifting up his spear against three hundred, he slew them, and had a name among the three.

“salvation” Hebrew H3444 · used in 77 verses

  • Genesis 49:18 I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.
  • Psalms 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
  • Psalms 119:123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

“stop” Hebrew H5462 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
  • 1 Samuel 1:6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
  • Job 11:10 If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?