Psalms 35:11

11 Violent witnesses rise up, That which I have not known they ask 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 And my soul is joyful in Jehovah, It rejoiceth in His salvation.
10 All my bones say, `Jehovah, who is like Thee, Delivering the poor from the stronger than he, And the poor and needy from his plunderer.'
11 Violent witnesses rise up, That which I have not known they ask me.
12 They pay me evil for good, bereaving my soul,
13 And I -- in their sickness my clothing [is] sackcloth, I have humbled with fastings my soul, And my prayer unto my bosom returneth.
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.