Psalms 35:13-23

13 But I, when they were sick--I wore sackcloth, I afflicted myself with fasting. I prayed with head bowed on my bosom,

14 as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; I went about as one who laments his mother, bowed down and in mourning.

15 But at my stumbling they gathered in glee, they gathered together against me; cripples whom I knew not slandered me without ceasing;

16 they impiously mocked more and more, gnashing at me with their teeth.

17 How long, O LORD, wilt thou look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my life from the lions!

18 Then I will thank thee in the great congregation; in the mighty throng I will praise thee.

19 Let not those rejoice over me who are wrongfully my foes, and let not those wink the eye who hate me without cause.

20 For they do not speak peace, but against those who are quiet in the land they conceive words of deceit.

21 They open wide their mouths against me; they say, "Aha, Aha! our eyes have seen it!"

22 Thou hast seen, O LORD; be not silent! O Lord, be not far from me!

23 Bestir thyself, and awake for my right, for my cause, my God and my Lord!

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.