Giving Thanks Even in Betrayal

In Psalm 35, David was under attack again — this time by men who sought to destroy him when he’d done nothing wrong. David’s prayer reveals his enemies were people he’d cared about at one time, (verses 13-14) making their betrayal even more heartbreaking.

The first word in this psalm, “contend,” actually referred to legal matters in Hebrew (Psalm 35:1). By using this word, David reminds us God is not only our Advocate but also our Judge. David’s enemies were testifying falsely about him (Psalm 35:11 and Psalm 35:20), but David didn’t just idly hope the truth would come out. He prayed for God to bring justice, and in faith, thanked God even when others might have believed lies about him.

Just like Psalm 86, Psalm 35 doesn’t seem like a prayer of thanksgiving. Yet it reflects real life, which is often a mix of happiness and heartbreak. Modeling once again that we can always thank God because thanksgiving is an act of worship not dependent on our circumstances.

There are three instances of thanksgiving woven into David’s pleas for deliverance, his lament over his enemies’ hatred, and his petition for justice:

1. “My whole being” refers to wholehearted praise and joy. David’s bones and his very soul rejoiced at the Lord’s salvation (verses 9-10).
2. Once God saved David from his enemies, David promised to offer thanksgiving not only in private but in community, so others would come to know of God’s deliverance and have the opportunity to trust Him. (v. 18).
3. David also promised to thank God continually. David would not soon forget God’s deliverance (verse 28).

Even when others hate us, or just dislike us, “without cause” (verses 7 and 19), the Lord delights in our well-being, our happiness and our security. As you pray whispers of thanksgiving to God this week, you may also consider repeating the words of Psalm 91:2 (GNT): “You are my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust.”

God does not forget His people, and He says all will be made right (Psalm 103:6 and Jeremiah 9:24). God’s character is the foundation for giving thanks. David acknowledged that “Lord, you have seen this” (Psalm 35:22). God does not overlook or miss what is happening to us.David was so confident of this that he prayed others would join him in saying, “Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!” (Psalm 35:27, ESV).

David invites us to “shout for joy and gladness” (Psalm 35:27) because of God's great salvation. Although we might feel powerless and voiceless, our hearts can rise up in prayers of thanksgiving because our God sees, cares for and defends us. Even in betrayal, we can give thanks. We give thanks not for the betrayal but for God’s character, care and concern for us.

Respond

Think of a time when you were betrayed. Craft a prayer thanking God for His comfort during that time, and if applicable, for the result afterward.