Show Don't Tell: Psalm 35

Instead of saying "David asked God to fight his enemies," see the battle array. "Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, 'I am your salvation.'" God as warrior—shield, armor, spear, javelin. "May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away." Chaff scattered, angel pursuing. "May their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them." Dark road, no traction, angel chasing. "Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, may ruin overtake them by surprise—may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin." Their own traps catch them. Then the betrayal that stings most: "I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting... I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother... But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; assailants gathered against me without my knowledge. They slandered me without ceasing." He mourned for them when they were sick; they mock him when he falls. "Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions."