Psalms 35:19

19 Do not let my haters be glad over me falsely; let not those who are against me without cause make sport of me.

Psalms 35:19 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 35:19

Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over
me
The word "wrongfully" is to be joined not to the word "rejoice", but to the word "enemies"; and the sense is, that they were his enemies wrongfully, for false reasons, unjust causes, or without any cause that was just; as follows;

[neither] let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause;
such were David's enemies, particularly Saul, ( Psalms 7:4 ) ; and such were the enemies of Christ: this last clause is thought to be referred to by him, and applied to himself, ( John 15:25 ) ; and the whole of this is said him and by him, ( Psalms 69:4 ) ; see also ( Psalms 109:3-5 ) . These were the Jews, of whom he came, among whom he was, and who had no reason to be his enemies, and to hate him; since he was harmless and inoffensive in his life and conversation among them; went about doing a great deal of good to them, both for soul and body, and always expressed the most tender concern for them: they had reasons for their hatred and rejection of him, but not justifiable ones; such as the meanness of his person and state in their view, the doctrines he preached relating to his deity, divine sonship, and the distinguishing grace of God; and his inveighing against the sins and vices which prevailed among them; and such are the enemies of his people, who hate them, though they are the quiet in the land, as is said in ( Psalms 35:20 ) ; and are harmless and inoffensive in their behaviour towards men: these are hated for Christ's sake; and because he has chosen and called them out of the world; and because of their principles, which are distinguishing, and their practices, which are good: now the psalmist entreats that such might not be suffered to go on rejoicing over him, and at his calamities, but that he might be delivered out of all troubles, and out of their hands; and that they might not have any reason to wink with their eyes in a scornful and deriding way to him, and as expressing their pleasure to one an other at his distresses; see ( Proverbs 1:12 Proverbs 1:13 ) ( 10:10 ) .

Psalms 35:19 In-Context

17 Lord, how long will you be looking on? take my soul from their destruction, my life from the lions.
18 I will give you praise in the great meeting; I will give you honour among a strong people.
19 Do not let my haters be glad over me falsely; let not those who are against me without cause make sport of me.
20 For they do not say words of peace; in their deceit they are designing evil things against the quiet ones in the land.
21 Their mouths were open wide against me, and they said, Aha, aha, our eyes have seen it.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.