The Meaning of Psalms 35:2 Explained

Psalms 35:2

KJV: Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.

YLT: Take hold of shield and buckler, and rise for my help,

Darby: Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help;

ASV: Take hold of shield and buckler, And stand up for my help.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Take hold  of shield  and buckler,  and stand up  for mine help. 

What does Psalms 35:2 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 35:1-17 - Rescuing The Poor And Needy
This psalm dates from the Sauline persecution, or else from the disturbed condition of the kingdom in David's later years. Each of the three divisions into which the psalm naturally falls ends with praise, Psalms 35:9; Psalms 35:18; Psalms 35:28.
Throughout the psalm we meet with strong imprecations on the wicked. The spirit of the New Testament inculcates a higher law of love and forgiveness, Luke 9:55-56. Therefore our Lord rebuked His Apostles when they called for fire from heaven. He said: "You do not understand that you have passed out of the Old Covenant into the New." It has been suggested that the maledictions of these verses should be read as predictions. Thus, "Let them be confounded" would read, "They will be confounded." "Their way will be dark and slippery." "The angel of the Lord will oppose them," etc.
What a thrill passes through the soul when God whispers the assurance, I am thy salvation! "Who is like unto thee!" Exodus 15:11. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 35

1  David prays for his own safety, and his enemies' confusion
11  He complains of their wrongful dealing
22  Thereby he incites God against them

What do the individual words in Psalms 35:2 mean?

Take hold of shield and buckler and stand up for my help
הַחֲזֵ֣ק מָגֵ֣ן וְצִנָּ֑ה וְ֝ק֗וּמָה בְּעֶזְרָתִֽי

הַחֲזֵ֣ק  Take  hold 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: חָזַק  
Sense: to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore.
מָגֵ֣ן  of  shield 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: מָגֵן 
Sense: shield, buckler.
וְצִנָּ֑ה  and  buckler 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: צִנָּה 
Sense: something piercing, hook, barb.
וְ֝ק֗וּמָה  and  stand  up 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular, third person feminine singular
Root: קוּם 
Sense: to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up.
בְּעֶזְרָתִֽי  for  my  help 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: עֶזְרָה  
Sense: help, succour, assistance.