Psalms 35:19

19 Don't let my enemies, those liars, 1 gloat over my defeat. Don't let those who hate me for no reason smirk with delight over my sorrow.

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 How much longer, Lord, will you just look on? Rescue me from their attacks; save my life from these lions!
18 Then I will thank you in the assembly of your people; I will praise you before them all.
19 Don't let my enemies, those liars, gloat over my defeat. Don't let those who hate me for no reason smirk with delight over my sorrow.
20 They do not speak in a friendly way; instead they invent all kinds of lies about peace-loving people.
21 They accuse me, shouting, "We saw what you did!"

Cross References 1

  • 1. 35.19Psalms 69.4;John 15.25.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.