Psalm 35:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered; they gathered together against me; wretches whom I did not know tore at me without ceasing;

NIV: But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; assailants gathered against me without my knowledge. They slandered me without ceasing.

NASB: But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered themselves together; The afflicted people whom I did not know gathered together against me, They slandered me without ceasing.

CSB: But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; they gathered against me. Assailants I did not know tore at me and did not stop.

NLT: But they are glad now that I am in trouble; they gleefully join together against me. I am attacked by people I don’t even know; they slander me constantly.

KJV: But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:

NKJV: But in my adversity they rejoiced And gathered together; Attackers gathered against me, And I did not know it; They tore at me and did not cease;

The former friends who turned against David (Psalm 35:11–14) are celebrating as David has trouble. "Stumbling" in this verse suggests calamity, as in Job 18:12 and Jeremiah 20:10. David also refers to a group of strangers, calling them "wretches," which may also be translated as "those crippled" or "ruffians." The main implication is that of coarse, immoral men. This mob is constantly harassing David, including insults intended to tear him apart (Psalm 35:16). Yet, David did not know why they were behaving in such an evil way. He had done nothing to hurt them. Indeed, he had prayed for them. When he was expelled from Saul's court and branded as a criminal (1 Samuel 19:1–2), these former allies were happy and gleefully persecuted him.

Persecuted believers may identify with David. Although they share the gospel because God's love compels them to do so, they encounter hostility. The apostle Peter tells his readers not to be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon them. In that specific context, this might have included the threat of being burned at the stake. He tells them to rejoice if they are insulted for the name of Christ, they are blessed (1 Peter 4:12–14).

Psalm 35:11–18 is the second of three variations on the same themes, which make up Psalm 35. David describes the attacks he endured. His enemy lied and used unscrupulous witnesses to level false accusations. This betrayal is made worse because David had been kind and loving towards them when they were in need. When they were sick, he prayed for them, and mourned when they did not recover. Yet now they ridiculed him. David calls out for God's intervention.

This is one of the "imprecatory psalms," which call on God to immediately judge or destroy His enemies. David echoes the same ideas in three phases. Each segment includes a plea for rescue, a request for God to conquer David's foes, and a promise to praise the Lord. David makes a point of noting that his enemies have no good reason for their hatred, since he was kind to them. With faith, David looks ahead, trusting he will have the opportunity to worship the Lord for His rescue and vindication.

David pleads with the Lord to destroy his enemies and vindicate him. As such, Psalm 35 is labeled an "imprecatory psalm." Other examples include psalms 5, 69, 109, and 140. This song might have been written when King Saul was seeking David's life (1 Samuel 19:1–2), or when Absalom was spreading rebellion in Israel (2 Samuel 15:13–14). David' notes three basic ideas in this psalm: vindication, defeat of enemies, and praise of God. Each is repeated in a series of three variations.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.