Psalms 35:25
“Don’t let them say in their heart, “Aha! That’s the way we want it!” Don’t let them say, “We have swallowed him up!””
What does Psalms 35:25 mean?
The psalmist is asking God to prevent his enemies from getting the satisfaction of defeating him. When enemies gloat and say things like "We got what we wanted" or "We've completely destroyed him," it fuels their sense of triumph and power, making their victory feel complete. The prayer here is essentially asking God not to let that happen, not to allow the enemies to have the last word or enjoy the full taste of success against the righteous. This speaks to something many people understand: the sting of watching someone who hurt us celebrate or feel victorious. The psalmist is naming that pain and bringing it honestly to God, asking for intervention not just in circumstances but in the emotional and spiritual reality of the situation. It's a reminder that God cares about justice and about restoring dignity to those who suffer.