Psalms 35:6 (KJV)

What does Psalms 35:6 mean?

Psalms 35:6 asks that the path of David’s enemies would become dark and dangerously slippery, and that the angel of the LORD would pursue them. The verse is a vivid prayer for confusion and trouble to overtake those who are unjustly attacking him.

King David is speaking in this psalm, crying out to God for help against people who are treating him unfairly. He uses strong imagery—darkness, slipperiness, and an angel sent by the LORD—to describe how he wants his enemies’ plans to fail and for them to be driven into chaos. The verse fits into a larger prayer where David seeks God’s justice against those who plot harm against him.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 35:6

• way (דֶּרֶךְ, derek): This word means a road, path, or manner of life. Here, it refers to the course or direction the enemies are taking.
• dark (חֹשֶׁךְ, ḥoshekh): This word means darkness, both literal and figurative. David is asking that his enemies’ path be covered in darkness, making it hard for them to see or succeed.
• slippery (חֲלַקְלַקּוֹת, ḥalaqlakkot): This word describes something smooth or slippery, suggesting danger and instability. The image is of a path where it is easy to fall.
• angel (מַלְאָךְ, mal’akh): This word means messenger, often used for a supernatural being sent by God. Here, it is the angel of the LORD acting as an agent of God’s judgment.
• LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that the angel is sent by the God of Israel.
• persecute (רָדַף, radaf): This word means to pursue or chase. David is asking that God’s angel would actively chase down his enemies, not just passively watch.

Why Psalms 35:6 matters

• The verse uses strong, poetic images to express a desire for God to intervene directly and powerfully against injustice, not just to protect but to actively oppose wrongdoers.
• The mention of the “angel of the LORD” highlights that David is asking for more than natural consequences; he is asking for God’s personal involvement in bringing justice.
• The verse fits into a larger pattern in Psalms where the writer honestly voices distress and calls for God’s help, showing that such prayers have a place in the Bible’s language of faith.