Psalms 35:19

19 Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.

Psalms 35:19 in Other Translations

KJV
19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
ESV
19 Let not those rejoice over me who are wrongfully my foes, and let not those wink the eye who hate me without cause.
NLT
19 Don’t let my treacherous enemies rejoice over my defeat. Don’t let those who hate me without cause gloat over my sorrow.
MSG
19 Don't let these liars, my enemies, have a party at my expense, Those who hate me for no reason, winking and rolling their eyes.
CSB
19 Do not let my deceitful enemies rejoice over me; do not let those who hate me without cause look at me maliciously.

Psalms 35:19 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 35:19

Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over
me
The word "wrongfully" is to be joined not to the word "rejoice", but to the word "enemies"; and the sense is, that they were his enemies wrongfully, for false reasons, unjust causes, or without any cause that was just; as follows;

[neither] let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause;
such were David's enemies, particularly Saul, ( Psalms 7:4 ) ; and such were the enemies of Christ: this last clause is thought to be referred to by him, and applied to himself, ( John 15:25 ) ; and the whole of this is said him and by him, ( Psalms 69:4 ) ; see also ( Psalms 109:3-5 ) . These were the Jews, of whom he came, among whom he was, and who had no reason to be his enemies, and to hate him; since he was harmless and inoffensive in his life and conversation among them; went about doing a great deal of good to them, both for soul and body, and always expressed the most tender concern for them: they had reasons for their hatred and rejection of him, but not justifiable ones; such as the meanness of his person and state in their view, the doctrines he preached relating to his deity, divine sonship, and the distinguishing grace of God; and his inveighing against the sins and vices which prevailed among them; and such are the enemies of his people, who hate them, though they are the quiet in the land, as is said in ( Psalms 35:20 ) ; and are harmless and inoffensive in their behaviour towards men: these are hated for Christ's sake; and because he has chosen and called them out of the world; and because of their principles, which are distinguishing, and their practices, which are good: now the psalmist entreats that such might not be suffered to go on rejoicing over him, and at his calamities, but that he might be delivered out of all troubles, and out of their hands; and that they might not have any reason to wink with their eyes in a scornful and deriding way to him, and as expressing their pleasure to one an other at his distresses; see ( Proverbs 1:12 Proverbs 1:13 ) ( 10:10 ) .

Psalms 35:19 In-Context

17 How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.
18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you.
19 Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.
20 They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.
21 They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it.”

Cross References 3

  • 1. Psalms 9:13
  • 2. ver 7; Psalms 38:19; Psalms 69:4; John 15:25*
  • 3. Psalms 13:4; Proverbs 6:13; Proverbs 10:10
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.