Vindicate \ˈvin-də-ˌkāt\: To show that someone should not be blamed for a crime, mistake; to show that someone is not guilty.
Psalm 35 is a protest against injustice. David the psalmist is crying out in the midst of being accused and attacked by a group of enemies. In response, he asks for the Lord to be his defender. He wants to see the designs and schemes of his opponents turned back upon their own heads. He desires to be rescued from his plight by the vindication of the Lord.
Vindication is a powerful word. Here David is seeking to be vindicated by God and declared not guilty. ("Vindicate me, O Lord, my God, according to your righteousness, and do not let them rejoice over me" [vs. 24] and "Let those who desire my vindication shout for joy and be glad..." [vs. 27])
It is difficult to read Psalm 35 and not think about the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. So many of the images of a bullying mob, manufactured evidence, and shoddy justice that David composed in 1000 BC came to light in the life of his descendant Jesus a thousand years later.
Praise God for His vindication of Jesus in the resurrection that came three days later!
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