WHO ARE “ABJECTS?”
by Shawn Brasseaux
Psalm 35:15 says, “But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:….”
While considered an obsolete term today, “abjects” is taken from Middle English, carrying the sense of “rejected.” It is derived via the Latin “abjectus,” from “abicere,” itself composed of “ab–” meaning “away” and “jacere” meaning “to throw.” To wit, the gist of the activity is to pummel someone with disparaging remarks, hurl insults, traduce or criticize, the attack rendering the writer of the verse a societal outcast, an unwanted person.
King David penned the verse—yea, the whole chapter or Psalm—to express his distress during a period of intense persecution. It is not merely a song of praise, but also a prayer of imprecation, a desire for and a summoning of the LORD to take vengeance on those evildoers or unbelievers who abuse Israel’s believing remnant (of whom David is a member). Some of these statements (for example, verses 11 and 19) are Messianic, pointing to the Lord Jesus Christ’s undeserved mistreatment circa 1,000 years later (cf. Matthew 26:59-62; Mark 14:55-60; John 15:25).
Ultimately, Psalm 35 anticipates the Little Flock (Israel’s believing remnant) as it bears the severe despotism of the Antichrist during Daniel’s 70th Week. The punishment for and destruction of their abusers is Christ’s Second Coming in wrath and judgment, at which time He also delivers His saints into the peace, safety, and prosperity of His earthly kingdom!
Also see:
» Should we have a ministry to people who abuse us?
» Will Israel’s Little Flock be put to death or not?
» What is “leasing” in the King James Bible?
