Psalms 35:11-21

11 Evil people testify against me and accuse me of crimes I know nothing about.
12 They pay me back evil for good, and I sink in despair.
13 But when they were sick, I dressed in mourning; I deprived myself of food; I prayed with my head bowed low,
14 as I would pray for a friend or a brother. I went around bent over in mourning, as one who mourns for his mother.
15 But when I was in trouble, they were all glad and gathered around to make fun of me; strangers beat me and kept striking me.
16 Like those who would mock a cripple, they glared at me with hate.
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, 1 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!"

Psalms 35:11-21 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.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 35.19Psalms 69.4;John 15.25.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. [Probable text] Like those . . . cripple; [Hebrew unclear.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.