Psalms 35:13-23

13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth. I afflicted my soul with fasting. My prayer returned into my own bosom.

14 I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother. I bowed down mourning, as one who mourns his mother.

15 But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together. The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I didn't know it. They tore at me, and didn't cease.

16 Like the profane mockers in feasts, They gnashed their teeth at me.

17 Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, My precious life from the lions.

18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people.

19 Don't let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; Neither let them wink with the eye who hate me without a cause.

20 For they don't speak shalom, But they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.

21 Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me. They said, "Aha! Aha! Our eye has seen it!"

22 You have seen it, LORD. Don't keep silent. Lord, don't be far from me.

23 Wake up! Rise up to defend me, my God! My Lord, contend for me!

Psalms 35:13-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 35

\\<<[A Psalm] of David>>\\. This psalm seems to have been written by David, when he was persecuted by Saul; and when many false charges were brought against him by his courtiers; and when he was the scorn and derision of the people; the subject of it is pretty much of the same kind with the seventh psalm, and might be written about the same time that was, and on the same occasion; and it may be applied to the church and people of God in like cases. There is a passage in it, Ps 35:19, which our Lord seems to refer to and apply to himself, Joh 15:25; and some interpret the whole of it concerning him. The Arabic version calls it a prophecy of the incarnation; though there does not appear any thing in it applicable to that.