Psalms 35:23
Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
Psalms 35:23
This verse uses bold summons: “Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.” It personifies God as one who can be roused to action, as if coercing sleep to disperse for the sake of justice. In the context of psalms of lament, petitions often invoke God to rouse himself, to remember the afflicted, and to decide on the case at hand. The language echoes ancient Near Eastern practices of ritual awakening—calling the deity to attention. It reflects a deep longing for vindication and the conviction that God is not indifferent to human suffering. The phrase “my judgment, even unto my cause” underscores the psalmist’s conviction that God cares about the fairness of legal and social proceedings and will ensure the just outcome for the righteous.
Theologically, this verse affirms God’s active involvement in history. It recognizes human limitation—humans cannot secure perfect justice without divine intervention. The request to “stir up” and “awake” reframes divine inaction as a possible temporary silence that can be overcome by God’s righteous zeal. It also ties personal endurance to cosmic justice: God’s decisive action in the small, private matters of one’s life reflects God’s broader commitment to righteousness in creation. This is a call to trust in God’s justice even when evidence seems insufficient and when wrongdoers seem to prevail.
Practical takeaway: when you feel neglected by systems that should protect you, you can pray with this form of longing—remembering that God is not passive. Use specific prayers to articulate your needs clearly (e.g., “Awaken to this situation, O Lord, and bring truth to light”). In everyday life, this may translate into advocating for yourself in constructive ways—documenting injustices, seeking counsel, and pursuing appropriate channels for redress—while remaining patient for God’s timing. It also invites believers to support others who feel overlooked, joining in communal prayers or advocacy that seeks to awaken communities to injustice.
Cross-References: Psalm 18:28-29; Psalm 44:23-26; Isaiah 52:1-2; Jeremiah 46:27; Zechariah 2:8