King James Version

What Does Psalms 35:10 Mean?

Psalms 35:10 in the King James Version says “All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea,...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?”

Psalms 35:10 · KJV

Context

8

Let destruction come upon him at unawares ; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall. at: Heb. which he knoweth not of

9

And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

10

All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?

11

False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. False: Heb. Witnesses of wrong they: Heb. they asked me

12

They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. spoiling: Heb. depriving

Read Psalms 35 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him? This verse intensifies the commitment to praise from verse 9. Now not just David's soul but 'all my bones'—his entire physical being—will proclaim God's uniqueness. The Hebrew idiom 'all my bones' (kol atzmotai, כָּל־עַצְמוֹתַי) represents totality—every part of David's being, down to the skeletal frame, will testify to God's greatness.

The rhetorical question 'who is like unto thee' (mi kamokah, מִי כָמוֹךָ) echoes Moses' victory song after the Red Sea crossing: 'Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?' (Exodus 15:11). This question asserts God's incomparability—no other power, deity, or force equals YHWH. It's not asking for information but making a theological declaration: there is none like God.

The verse specifies what makes God unique: He 'deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him.' The phrase 'too strong for him' (mechazaq mimmennu, מֵחָזָק מִמֶּנּוּ) literally means 'stronger than him'—describing hopeless situations where the oppressed has no chance against superior power. God specializes in impossible cases. He doesn't merely strengthen the weak to fight their battles; He delivers them from enemies they cannot defeat themselves.

'The poor and the needy' (ani ve'evyon, עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן) describes not only economic poverty but vulnerability, powerlessness, and social marginalization. God's character is revealed in His commitment to defend those society overlooks or exploits. This theme runs throughout Scripture: 'He raiseth up the poor out of the dust' (Psalm 113:7), 'Blessed are the poor in spirit' (Matthew 5:3), 'God hath chosen the poor of this world rich in faith' (James 2:5). David identifies himself with the poor and needy, recognizing his absolute dependence on God regardless of his royal status.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The language of God defending the poor and needy reflects Israel's covenant law, which mandated special protection for vulnerable populations: widows, orphans, sojourners, and the economically disadvantaged (Exodus 22:22-24, Deuteronomy 24:17-22). Unlike surrounding cultures where might made right and the powerful oppressed the weak with impunity, Israel's law established God as the defender of those without human defenders.

The prophets repeatedly condemned Israel's failure to protect the vulnerable and warned that injustice toward the poor provoked divine judgment (Isaiah 1:17, 10:1-3; Amos 2:6-7, 5:11-12; Micah 6:8). God's character as defender of the weak wasn't mere sentimentality but central to His justice. The exodus itself demonstrated this—God heard the cry of Hebrew slaves whom Egypt oppressed, and He delivered them from a power far 'too strong for them' through supernatural intervention.

David's own experience validated this theology. As a shepherd boy, he was insignificant—the youngest son, overlooked by Samuel until God specifically directed the prophet to anoint him (1 Samuel 16:11). When facing Goliath, David was vastly outmatched—a youth with a sling against a giant warrior in full armor. Yet God delivered him. Later, fleeing from Saul's superior forces and living in caves, David was 'poor and needy' in the most literal sense, dependent entirely on God's protection.

Jesus identified with the poor and needy throughout His ministry. Born in a stable, raised in working-class Nazareth, without permanent home during ministry, and executed as a criminal—Jesus embodied the vulnerable ones God defends. His resurrection demonstrated God's power to deliver 'from him that is too strong'—namely, sin, death, and Satan. In Christ, all who are spiritually poor and needy find deliverance from an enemy too strong for them.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas of your life are you facing opposition 'too strong for you,' requiring God's intervention?
  2. How does identifying yourself as 'poor and needy' before God affect your prayer life and dependence on Him?
  3. What does it mean for 'all your bones'—your entire physical being—to praise God?
  4. How does God's character as defender of the vulnerable challenge your treatment of society's marginalized?
  5. In what ways does Christ's identification with the poor and needy comfort you in your own weakness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
כָּ֥ל1 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עַצְמוֹתַ֨י׀2 of 13

“All my bones”

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

תֹּאמַרְנָה֮3 of 13

“shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה4 of 13

“LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

מִ֥י5 of 13
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

כָ֫מ֥וֹךָ6 of 13
H3644

as, thus, so

מַצִּ֣יל7 of 13

“who is like unto thee which deliverest”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

וְעָנִ֥י8 of 13

“for him yea the poor”

H6041

depressed, in mind or circumstances

מֵחָזָ֣ק9 of 13

“from him that is too strong”

H2389

strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)

מִמֶּ֑נּוּ10 of 13
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

וְעָנִ֥י11 of 13

“for him yea the poor”

H6041

depressed, in mind or circumstances

וְ֝אֶבְי֗וֹן12 of 13

“and the needy”

H34

destitute

מִגֹּזְלֽוֹ׃13 of 13

“from him that spoileth”

H1497

to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 35:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 35:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 140:12Exodus 15:11Psalms 109:31Psalms 71:19Psalms 51:8Psalms 86:8

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 35 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Psalms 35 with CommentaryAll Psalms ChaptersComplete Psalms QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes