13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled
13 But I, when they were sick-- I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; I prayed with head bowed
13 When they were sick, I dressed in black; instead of eating, I prayed.
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.
13 Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them. I denied myself by fasting for them, but my prayers returned unanswered.
18 They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons,
18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he
18 His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron;
18 They put cruel chains on his ankles, an iron collar around his neck,
18 They hurt his feet with fetters, He was laid in irons.
18 They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar.
(Read Psalm 105:8-23)
Let us remember the Redeemer's marvellous works, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth. Though true Christians are few number, strangers and pilgrims upon earth, yet a far better inheritance than Canaan is made sure to them by the covenant of God; and if we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit, none can do us any harm. Afflictions are among our mercies. They prove our faith and love, they humble our pride, they wean us from the world, and quicken our prayers. Bread is the staff which supports life; when that staff is broken, the body fails and sinks to the earth. The word of God is the staff of spiritual life, the food and support of the soul: the sorest judgment is a famine of hearing the word of the Lord. Such a famine was sore in all lands when Christ appeared in the flesh; whose coming, and the blessed effect of it, are shadowed forth in the history of Joseph. At the appointed time Christ was exalted as Mediator; all the treasures of grace and salvation are at his disposal, perishing sinners come to him, and are relieved by him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 35:13
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.