Psalms 35:25

Psalms 35:25

This verse continues the courtroom motif: “Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.” The psalmist names a sinful inner monologue—the idea that enemies might privately boast of having eliminated him. In ancient Israel, a righteous person’s public suffering could become a litmus test for the community’s integrity. The psalmist resists the impression that the wicked have triumphed by highlighting God’s sovereignty over rumors and outcomes. The verse also frames a communal ethic: what people say in their hearts matters, and God judges even inner thoughts. The cry challenges the wicked’s covert confidence and asserts that their self-satisfaction will be undone when God intervenes.

This verse reinforces the biblical teaching that God judges not only deeds but motives. It acknowledges the moral hazard of secret bragging and the deception that can accompany power. It also points to eschatological hope: false triumphs and hidden scheming will be exposed, and God’s justice will prevail. The key theological theme is confidence in divine sovereignty and the futility of human schemes against the righteous. It also invites believers to examine their own inner thoughts—whether they secretly relish another’s misfortune or desire a different outcome than God’s justice would allow.

In modern terms, beware of the hidden voices within—grumbling thoughts that someone “got away with it.” Replace such thoughts with prayers for justice and mercy. If you’re tempted to gloat over another’s downfall, pause and seek reconciliation or grace. When you hear others’ rumors, bring truth and compassion to the table. In communities, cultivate a culture where people are defended against silent, collective condemnation and where truth-telling is prioritized over triumphalism. The verse invites practical humility and integrity in speech and inner life.

Cross-References: Psalm 10:3; Psalm 94:11; Proverbs 18:21; Matthew 7:1-5; James 4:12