Psalms 35:11

11 Hostile accusers appear out of nowhere, they stand up and badger me.

Psalms 35:11 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 35:11

False witnesses did rise up
Against David, saying he sought the hurt of Saul, ( 1 Samuel 24:9 ) , as did against David's antitype, the Lord Jesus Christ, ( Matthew 26:59-61 ) ; and against his apostles, ( Acts 24:5 Acts 24:6 ) ; and very frequently do they rise up and bear false witness against his people, which is a very heinous crime;

they laid to my charge [things] that I knew not:
such as David was not conscious of, never thought of doing, much less attempted to do; as the taking away of Saul's life, the contrary of which appeared by his cutting off his skirt only when he was in his hands, and taking away his spear from his bolster when he could have taken off his head; and such were the things laid to the charge of the Messiah, David's son, who knew no sin, nor did any; and the like are exhibited against his members, who go through good report and bad report, and whose good conversation is falsely accused by malicious men.

Psalms 35:11 In-Context

9 But let me run loose and free, celebrating God's great work,
10 Every bone in my body laughing, singing, "God, there's no one like you. You put the down-and-out on their feet and protect the unprotected from bullies!"
11 Hostile accusers appear out of nowhere, they stand up and badger me.
12 They pay me back misery for mercy, leaving my soul empty.
13 When they were sick, I dressed in black; instead of eating, I prayed.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.