Psalm 35:14 - Printer Friendly

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

NIV: I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.

NASB: I went about as though it were my friend or brother; I bowed down in mourning, like one who mourns for a mother.

CSB: I went about mourning as if for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for a mother.

NLT: I was sad, as though they were my friends or family, as if I were grieving for my own mother.

KJV: I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.

NKJV: I paced about as though he were my friend or brother; I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother.

David continues his description of how he showed compassion on those who have now turned against him. He grieved for them in their struggles, as he would for an intimate family member. Yet now, they repay his good with evil and seek to kill him (Psalm 35:11–13).

Such compassion mirrors the concern Jesus showed for Jerusalem. He lamented: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Matthew 23:37). The apostle Paul, too, showed compassion. He writes in Romans 10:1: "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for [the Jews] is that they may be saved." In Jude 1:23 the apostle Jude urges Christians to "save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy [kindness, compassion] with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh."

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.

Accessed 4/27/2024 4:45:07 PM