Psalms 35:22

Authorized King James Version

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This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.

Original Language Analysis

רָאִ֣יתָה This thou hast seen H7200
רָאִ֣יתָה This thou hast seen
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 1 of 8
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
יְ֭הוָה O LORD H3068
יְ֭הוָה O LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אַֽל H408
אַֽל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 3 of 8
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תֶּחֱרַ֑שׁ keep not silence H2790
תֶּחֱרַ֑שׁ keep not silence
Strong's: H2790
Word #: 4 of 8
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
אֲ֝דֹנָ֗י O Lord H136
אֲ֝דֹנָ֗י O Lord
Strong's: H136
Word #: 5 of 8
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
אֲל H408
אֲל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 6 of 8
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּרְחַ֥ק be not far H7368
תִּרְחַ֥ק be not far
Strong's: H7368
Word #: 7 of 8
to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
מִמֶּֽנִּי׃ H4480
מִמֶּֽנִּי׃
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 8 of 8
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

Analysis & Commentary

The progression from 'keep not silence' to 'be not far from me' reveals David's dual need—for God's voice (vindication) and God's presence (communion). The Hebrew 'charash' (keep silence) doesn't mean God is unaware but that He hasn't yet spoken in judgment or deliverance. This petition trusts that God's speech creates reality, that His word changes circumstances, echoing the creative power of divine declaration in Genesis 1.

Historical Context

In ancient covenant contexts, silence could imply consent or abandonment. David's appeal presumes the covenant relationship where God promised to hear and respond to His people's cries.

Questions for Reflection