Bible Quiz – Psalm 35 (Subjective / Reflective Questions)

 

📖 Bible Quiz – Psalm 35 (Subjective / Reflective Questions) 

Book of Psalms is filled with heartfelt prayers, cries for justice, and deep expressions of trust in God. Psalm 35, written by David, is a powerful prayer for deliverance from enemies and unjust persecution.

This psalm shows us how to bring our battles before the Lord—honestly, boldly, and faithfully.

 

✍️ Instructions

Read Psalm 35 carefully before attempting the questions.

Answer in your own words (2–4 sentences each).

Support your answers with Scripture where possible.

Reflect not only on the historical setting but also on personal application.

Take your time. Let the Word speak to you. 💛

 

📜 Quiz Questions (Subjective)

 

1.        In verses 1–3, how does David describe God’s role in his battle? What imagery does he use?

 

2.        What specific injustices does David accuse his enemies of committing against him? (See verses 7, 11–12)

 

3.        According to verses 13–14, how had David previously treated these same people when they were in trouble? What does this reveal about his character?

 

4.        In verses 17–18, what does David promise to do once the Lord rescues him?

 

5.        How does David describe the attitude of his enemies in verses 19–21?

 

6.        What repeated request does David make in verses 22–24 regarding God’s response?

 

7.        In verses 26–27, what contrast is made between those who seek David’s harm and those who favor his righteous cause?

 

8.        What final declaration does David make in verse 28 about his own response to God’s deliverance?

 

9.        What does Psalm 35 teach about bringing feelings of injustice and betrayal before God?

 

10.  How can believers today apply the message of Psalm 35 when facing false accusations or opposition?

 

Answers with Complete Reference Verses

Below are suggested answers. Encourage personal reflection in addition to these responses.

 

1. God as Warrior and Defender

David asks God to “plead my cause” and “fight against them that fight against me.” He uses military imagery—shield, buckler, spear—portraying God as his divine warrior and protector.

Reference:

“Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help. Draw out also the spear…” (Psalm 35:1–3, KJV)

 

2. False Accusations and Hidden Traps

David says his enemies hid a net for him without cause and laid a pit for his soul. They also accused him falsely and repaid good with evil.

Reference:

“For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit…” (Psalm 35:7, KJV)

“False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. They rewarded me evil for good…” (Psalm 35:11–12, KJV)

 

3. David’s Compassion Toward Them

David fasted, prayed, and mourned for them when they were sick, treating them like close friends or brothers.

Reference:

“But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting…” (Psalm 35:13–14, KJV)

 

4. Public Thanksgiving

David promises to thank the Lord publicly among the congregation.

Reference:

“I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.” (Psalm 35:18, KJV)

 

5. Mockery and Deceit

His enemies rejoice in his adversity, mock him, and speak deceitfully.

Reference:

“They rejoice at my hurt… With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.” (Psalm 35:15–16, KJV)

 

6. A Plea for God’s Intervention

David repeatedly asks God not to be silent or distant but to awaken and judge his cause.

Reference:

“Keep not silence, O LORD… Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment…” (Psalm 35:22–23, KJV)

 

7. Two Opposing Groups

Those seeking David’s harm are to be ashamed and confused, while those who favor his righteous cause are to rejoice and magnify the Lord.

Reference:

“Let them be ashamed… Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause…” (Psalm 35:26–27, KJV)

 

8. A Tongue of Praise

David commits to continually speak of God’s righteousness and praise all day long.

Reference:

“And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.” (Psalm 35:28, KJV)

 

9. Lesson on Honest Prayer

Psalm 35 teaches that believers can honestly express pain, injustice, and desire for vindication before God. He invites transparency and trusts God to judge righteously.

 

10. Modern Application

When falsely accused or opposed, believers can:

Pray instead of retaliate

Trust God as their defender

Continue doing good

Praise God in advance for deliverance

 

If this quiz helped you understand Psalm 35 more deeply, share it with your Bible study group, church class, or friends.

✨  Challenge: Read Psalm 35 aloud this week as a personal prayer.

Let God fight your battles — and let your tongue speak of His righteousness all day long.

 

📖 Bible Quiz – Psalm 35

🔥 Advanced “Trick the Scholar” Round

Subjective / Deep Analysis Questions

Book of Psalms contains prayers that move from pain to praise with breathtaking honesty. Psalm 35, written by David, is not just a cry for help—it is a courtroom plea, a battlefield prayer, and a worship declaration combined.

This advanced round is designed to test careful reading, theological depth, and textual precision.

 

✍️ Instructions

Read Psalm 35 slowly and completely before answering.

Pay attention to repeated phrases, contrasts, and structural shifts.

Answer in 3–5 thoughtful sentences.

Support your answer with Scripture from the psalm itself.

No rushing. Scholars are tripped up by assumptions. 😉

 

📜 Advanced Questions (Subjective)

 

1.        Psalm 35 alternates between prayer and prediction. Identify one verse where David shifts from asking God to act to declaring what will happen. What does this shift reveal about his faith?

 

2.        In verses 5–6, David uses imagery of chaff and darkness. How does this connect with earlier biblical themes of judgment? Why is this imagery significant?

 

3.        In verse 10, David says, “All my bones shall say…” What does this unusual expression suggest about the depth of his praise?

 

4.        Verses 11–12 describe false witnesses. How does this language resemble courtroom proceedings? What does this suggest about how David views his suffering?

 

5.        David says in verse 13 that his prayer “returned into mine own bosom.” What are two possible interpretations of this phrase?

 

6.        In verse 15, David says “the abjects gathered themselves together.” What does this reveal about the type of people joining against him?

 

7.        Identify a repeated phrase involving the words “without cause.” Why is this repetition important theologically?

 

8.        In verse 22, David says, “This thou hast seen, O LORD.” Why is this statement strategically powerful in prayer?

 

9.        Compare verses 1–3 with verses 23–24. How does the opening plea mirror the later request? What literary structure does this suggest?

 

10.  Psalm 35 ends in praise (verse 28), but no deliverance event is recorded within the psalm itself. What does this teach about biblical faith?

 

Answers with Complete Reference Verses

 

1. Prayer to Prediction

In verse 4–6, David moves from petition to declaration:

“Let them be confounded and put to shame… Let them be as chaff before the wind…” (Psalm 35:4–5, KJV)

The shift from “Plead my cause” (v.1) to confident declarations shows faith anticipating God’s justice before it happens.

 

2. Chaff and Darkness Imagery

“Let them be as chaff before the wind… Let their way be dark and slippery…” (Psalm 35:5–6, KJV)

Chaff imagery echoes themes of judgment also seen in Psalm 1. Darkness and slippery paths symbolize instability and divine judgment. David invokes covenant justice imagery.

 

3. “All My Bones Shall Say”

“All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee…” (Psalm 35:10, KJV)

This suggests total-body praise. Not merely verbal worship, but praise flowing from the deepest part of his being—his very frame.

 

4. Courtroom Language

“False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.” (Psalm 35:11, KJV)

This mirrors legal accusation language. David views his suffering not merely as personal attack but as unjust prosecution.

 

5. Prayer Returning to His Bosom

“My prayer returned into mine own bosom.” (Psalm 35:13, KJV)

Possible meanings:

His prayer brought him personal comfort even if they did not respond.

The blessing he sought for them did not benefit them but remained with him.

 

6. “The Abjects”

“But in mine adversity they rejoiced… yea, the abjects gathered themselves together…” (Psalm 35:15, KJV)

The term suggests low or contemptible individuals—those of poor character. It highlights the depth of humiliation David experienced.

 

7. “Without Cause”

“For without cause have they hid for me their net…” (Psalm 35:7, KJV)

The repetition emphasizes innocence. Theologically, it underscores unjust suffering—a theme later fulfilled in Christ.

 

8. “This Thou Hast Seen”

“This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence…” (Psalm 35:22, KJV)

David appeals to God’s omniscience. He is not informing God—he is invoking divine accountability and justice.

 

9. Structural Mirroring

Verse 1:

“Plead my cause… fight against them…”

Verse 23–24:

“Stir up thyself… judge me…”

The psalm forms an inclusio (a literary bracket), beginning and ending with legal/military appeals.

 

10. Praise Before Proof

“And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.” (Psalm 35:28, KJV)

David praises before visible deliverance. Biblical faith celebrates God’s character before circumstances change.

 

If this round stretched you, share it with a theology student, pastor, or Bible study leader and see who catches the subtle details.

✨ Challenge: Rewrite Psalm 35 in your own words as a modern courtroom prayer.

Keep studying deeply. The Word always rewards careful readers.

 

📖 Bible Quiz – Psalm 35

🧠 Cross-Reference Traps Round

Subjective / Deep Comparative Questions

Book of Psalms often connects thematically with other parts of Scripture. Psalm 35, written by David, echoes courtroom language, suffering imagery, and righteous vindication found elsewhere in the Bible.

 

But here’s the challenge:

Can you tell where Psalm 35 is being echoed elsewhere — and where it is not?

This round tests your ability to distinguish true cross-references from assumed ones.

 

✍️ Instructions

Answer in 3–5 thoughtful sentences.

Identify the correct cross-reference where appropriate.

If the connection is incorrect or overstated, explain why.

Support answers with complete reference verses.

Careful readers win this round. 😉

 

📜 Cross-Reference Trap Questions (Subjective)

 

1.        Psalm 35:5 describes enemies as “chaff before the wind.” Many assume this refers forward to John the Baptist’s words in the Gospels. Is the stronger biblical connection actually earlier in Scripture? Identify it and explain.

 

2.        Psalm 35:11 mentions “false witnesses.” Some connect this directly to the trial of Jesus. Is there an Old Testament legal foundation that predates that event?

 

3.        Psalm 35:9 says, “My soul shall be joyful in the LORD.” Some argue this mirrors Paul’s language in Philippians. Is this concept rooted earlier in Hebrew worship tradition?

 

4.        Psalm 35:19 says, “Neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.” This phrase appears in the New Testament. Where, and how is it applied differently?

 

5.        Psalm 35:13 describes fasting and prayer for enemies. Some connect this with Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. Is there an earlier Old Testament parallel?

 

6.        Psalm 35 repeatedly asks God to fight. Some readers compare this with Paul’s “armor of God” in Ephesians. Is this a direct parallel or a thematic development?

 

7.        Psalm 35:22 says, “This thou hast seen, O LORD.” Some compare this to Hagar’s declaration about God seeing her. Are these conceptually connected or contextually distinct?

 

8.        Psalm 35 ends with continual praise (v.28). Many connect this with Hebrews 13:15. Is this praise concept new in Hebrews or deeply rooted in the Psalms?

 

9.        Psalm 35 contains imprecatory elements (calls for judgment). Some say this contradicts Jesus’ command to love enemies. Is this truly a contradiction or a tension within biblical theology?

 

10.  Some scholars argue Psalm 35 is purely personal and not messianic. Yet certain verses are quoted in the New Testament. Identify one and explain its fulfillment context.

 

Answers with Complete Reference Verses

 

1. Chaff Before the Wind

The stronger connection is earlier in Scripture:

“Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment… but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.” (Psalm 1:4, KJV)

Psalm 35 builds on established Psalm imagery rather than originating with John the Baptist (Matthew 3:12).

 

2. False Witnesses – Legal Foundation

The foundation lies in Mosaic law:

“One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity… at the mouth of two witnesses…” (Deuteronomy 19:15, KJV)

Psalm 35 reflects covenant legal injustice before it anticipates Christ’s trial (Matthew 26:59).

 

3. Joy in the Lord – Hebrew Roots

“My soul shall make her boast in the LORD…” (Psalm 34:2, KJV)

Paul’s language in Philippians echoes a long-established Hebrew worship tradition rather than inventing it.

 

4. “Without a Cause” in the New Testament

Jesus applies Psalm 35 directly:

“They hated me without a cause.” (John 15:25, KJV)

Here it becomes explicitly messianic, referring to Christ’s rejection.

 

5. Fasting for Enemies

An earlier Old Testament parallel appears in:

“And Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel…” (1 Samuel 7:9, KJV)

Intercessory fasting and prayer predate Christ’s teaching in Matthew 5:44.

 

6. God as Warrior vs. Armor of God

“Put on the whole armour of God…” (Ephesians 6:11, KJV)

Psalm 35 presents God Himself as warrior. Ephesians develops the metaphor for believers. Thematically related, but not identical.

 

7. God Who Sees

Hagar declares:

“Thou God seest me…” (Genesis 16:13, KJV)

Both affirm divine omniscience, but Psalm 35 appeals to courtroom justice, while Genesis emphasizes personal preservation.

 

8. Continual Praise

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually…” (Hebrews 13:15, KJV)

Hebrews draws from established Psalm theology of continual praise.

 

9. Imprecation vs. Loving Enemies

“Love your enemies…” (Matthew 5:44, KJV)

Psalm 35 entrusts vengeance to God rather than taking personal revenge. The tension is theological, not contradictory.

 

10. Messianic Quotation

Psalm 35:19 is cited in:

“But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled… They hated me without a cause.” (John 15:25, KJV)

What was David’s experience becomes prophetically fulfilled in Christ.

 

If this round challenged you, try reading Psalm 35 alongside:

Psalm 1

Deuteronomy 19

John 15

Trace the threads. Scripture interprets Scripture.

📖 Deep study sharpens discernment. Keep going.