Psalms 35:6 Meaning: A Prayer for Dark and Slippery Paths
Let their way be dark and slippery, Yahweh’s angel pursuing them.
Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the Lord persecute them.
Let their way be dark and slippery, And the angel of Jehovah pursuing them.
Their way is darkness and slipperiness, And a messenger of Jehovah their pursuer.
Let their way be dark and slippery, and let the angel of Jehovah pursue them.
Meaning in one sentence
David prays for his enemies' way to be dark and slippery. How does this fit with loving our enemies? Find hope and honesty in imprecatory prayer.
Context
Psalm 35 is a cry from the heart of David when he is surrounded by false accusers and violent enemies. He has already pleaded for God's protection and judgment on those who seek his life. Now, in verse 6, the language becomes severe. He asks for his enemies' path to be dark and slick, with the angel of the Lord in pursuit. This is not a casual curse. It is a desperate prayer for divine intervention from a man who knows he is innocent and that his enemies act without cause. The verse sits within a longer imprecation that includes images of chaff blown by wind, hidden nets, and sudden destruction. Yet David's ultimate trust is in God's salvation, as he declares in verse 9: 'My soul shall be joyful in Yahweh.'
Key Words
The Hebrew word for “dark” here is choshekh, the same word used for the darkness that covered the deep in Genesis 1:2. It means more than the absence of light. It suggests confusion, danger, and the inability to see where you are going.
The word for “slippery” is chalaqlaqqot, a rare word that appears only here and in Jeremiah 23:12. It describes a path worn smooth by rain, treacherous underfoot, where even the careful traveler cannot keep their balance. Together, these words paint a picture of total disorientation and helplessness.
And “the angel of Yahweh” is no ordinary messenger. This is the same Angel who appeared to Moses in the burning bush, who protected Israel in the wilderness. In the psalms, this Angel is God’s personal agent of deliverance and judgment. The verb “pursuing” (radaph) is the same word used for an enemy chasing after prey. Now the pursuer becomes the pursued. David is asking for a complete reversal of fortunes, not from personal revenge but from the hand of God.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have wrestled with imprecatory psalms like this for centuries. Many in the Reformed tradition, following Calvin, see David speaking as a king and a type of Christ, calling down God’s just judgment on those who oppose God’s anointed and God’s kingdom. Others, including many Catholic and Orthodox commentators, read these verses as the cry of the Church against spiritual wickedness. The dark and slippery path becomes the way of sin, and the angel of the Lord represents God’s righteous judgment.
In the Wesleyan tradition, this is understood as a prayer that evil persons may be prevented from doing further harm, and that God’s justice might be manifest. Across all traditions, there is agreement that these imprecations are not personal curses but cries for divine justice. They must be read in the light of the cross, where Christ took the ultimate judgment upon himself.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think this verse gives permission to pray for harm against personal enemies. In fact, the psalmist is calling on God, not taking vengeance himself. He is asking God to intervene in a situation of innocence and oppression. The New Testament does not cancel the Old Testament longing for justice; it transforms it. We pray these prayers while also praying for our enemies’ repentance, remembering that we too have been shown mercy.
Main takeaway: We can cry out to God for justice against oppression, trusting Him to judge rightly, while leaving vengeance in His hands.
Questions People Ask
What does 'dark and slippery' mean in Psalm 35:6?
The Hebrew words paint a picture of total confusion and danger. 'Dark' (choshekh) suggests blindness to danger and direction. 'Slippery' (chalaqlaqqot) describes a rain-worn path where footing is impossible. Together they picture someone stumbling in the night, helpless and lost.
Who is the angel of the Lord in this verse?
This is not just any angel. The angel of Yahweh is a special figure in the Old Testament who appears at critical moments, like the burning bush and the exodus. He acts as God's direct representative, bringing both deliverance and judgment. Many Christians see him as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ.
Is it wrong to pray imprecatory psalms like this today?
Christians have debated this for centuries. Most agree that these psalms are not personal curses but cries for divine justice. Jesus himself quoted imprecatory psalms, and Paul used them in Romans. We can pray them honestly before God, but always in a spirit that desires repentance and leaves vengeance to God.
How does Psalm 35:6 relate to Jesus' command to love your enemies?
The psalmist is not taking revenge; he is crying out to God. Loving enemies does not mean abandoning justice or pretending evil does not matter. Jesus taught us to pray for persecutors, but he also spoke of judgment. These prayers can coexist: we ask God to bring justice, while we extend mercy in our own hearts and actions.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study