Psalm 35:13-15

¹³ Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, ¹⁴ I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother. ¹⁵ But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; assailants gathered against me without my knowledge. They slandered me without ceasing.

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Psalm 35

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Other Translations of Psalm 35:13-15

King James Version

¹³ But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled humbled: or, afflicted my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. ¹⁴ I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. ¹⁵ But in mine adversity adversity: Heb. halting 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:

English Standard Version

¹³ But I, when they were sick-- I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; I prayed with head bowedOr my prayer shall turn back on my chest. ¹⁴ I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; as one who laments his mother, I bowed down in mourning. ¹⁵ But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered; they gathered together against me; wretches whom I did not know tore at me without ceasing;

The Message

¹³ When they were sick, I dressed in black; instead of eating, I prayed. ¹⁴ My prayers were like lead in my gut, like I'd lost my best friend, my brother. I paced, distraught as a motherless child, hunched and heavyhearted. ¹⁵ But when I was down they threw a party! All the nameless riffraff of the town came chanting insults about me.

New King James Version

¹³ But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart. ¹⁴ I paced about as though he were my friend or brother; I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother. ¹⁵ 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;

New Living Translation

¹³ Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them. I denied myself by fasting for them, but my prayers returned unanswered. ¹⁴ I was sad, as though they were my friends or family, as if I were grieving for my own mother. ¹⁵ 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.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 35:13-15

Commentary on Psalm 35:11-16

(Read Psalm 35:11-16)

Call a man ungrateful, and you can call him no worse: this was the character of David's enemies. Herein he was a type of Christ. David shows how tenderly he had behaved towards them in afflictions. We ought to mourn for the sins of those who do not mourn for themselves. We shall not lose by the good offices we do to any, how ungrateful soever they may be. Let us learn to possess our souls in patience and meekness like David, or rather after Christ's example.