Psalms 35:19 · Bible study
Psalms 35:19 Commentary: Enemies Rejoicing Without Cause
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
David prays against enemies who rejoice falsely and hate without cause; a plea for justice that echoes in Christ.
Research Summary
- Meaning: David prays that his false enemies not gloat over him with malicious gestures, appealing to God on the basis of his own innocence.
- Key words: שֶׁקֶר (falsehood), חִנָּם (without cause), קָרַץ (wink, to pinch or narrow the eyes in scorn).
- Main debate: Whether “wrongfully” modifies the enemies (false enemies) or the rejoicing (rejoicing falsely), most commentators take it as the former.
- Theological theme: The innocent sufferer’s cry for justice, which foreshadows Christ, the perfectly innocent one hated without cause.
- Best use: Comfort for those falsely accused and a model for bringing honest lament before God.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Let not my enemies gloat over me without cause, nor those who hate me without reason wink in malice.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Don’t let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; neither let those who hate me without a cause wink their eyes.
KJV King James Version 1769
Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; Neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
Mine enemies rejoice not over me with falsehood, Those hating me without cause wink the eye.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Let not them that are wrongfully mine enemies rejoice over me; let them not wink with the eye that hate me without cause.
Translations in other languages (9 available)
No se alegren de mí mis enemigos injustos: ni los que me aborrecen sin causa hagan del ojo.
Não se alegrem meus inimigos por causa de mim por um mau motivo, nem acenem com os olhos aquele que me odeiam sem motivo.
Que ceux qui sont à tort mes ennemis ne se réjouissent pas à mon sujet,
Laß sich nicht über mich freuen, die mir unbillig feind sind, noch mit Augen spotten, die mich ohne Ursache hassen!
Laat hen zich niet verblijden over mij, die mij om valse oorzaken vijanden zijn; noch wenken met de ogen, die mij zonder oorzaak haten.
Non si rallegrino di me quelli che a torto mi sono nemici, né ammicchino con l’occhio quelli che m’odian senza cagione.
Niech się nie weselą ze mnie, którzy mi są nieprzyjaciółmi bez przyczyny; którzy mię mają w nienawiści niesłusznie, niech nie mrugają okiem.
求你不 容那無理 與我為仇的 向我 誇耀！不容那無故 恨 我的向我擠 眼！
Do not let my haters be glad over me falsely; let not those who are against me without cause make sport of me.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Psalms 35:19
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree this verse contains two petitions: that enemies who are false (שֶׁקֶר) not rejoice over the psalmist, and that those who hate without cause (חִנָּם) not wink in malice. Barnes and Gill stress that “wrongfully” describes the enemies themselves, they are “enemies of falsehood,” having no just cause for opposition. The “wink of the eye” (קָרַץ, to pinch or squeeze) is understood as a malicious gesture of triumph (Cambridge Bible, Calvin). David grounds his plea in his own innocence: he has given them no reason for hostility. This is not a personal vendetta but an appeal to God’s character as the righteous judge. The New Testament explicitly links this verse to Christ (John 15:25), as Gill and Matthew Henry note. Jesus, the perfectly innocent one, was hated without cause by those who should have received him. The psalmist’s experience prefigures the suffering of the Messiah.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The verse is a plea for God to prevent false enemies from gloating over the psalmist’s misfortune, grounded in the psalmist’s innocence and trust in divine justice.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Interpretation of 'wrongfully' (שֶׁקֶר) | The word describes an unjust or false basis for enmity, the enemies have no legitimate grievance. | Some read it as an adverbial modifier of 'rejoice' (rejoicing falsely), but most commentators follow the Hebrew syntax as a genitive: 'enemies of falsehood' (Barnes, Gill, Cambridge Bible). |
| Meaning of 'wink with the eye' | It is a gesture of malicious triumph or conspiracy, as seen in Proverbs 6:13 and 10:10. | The precise physical action is debated: some suggest a literal wink of shared understanding, others a pinching or narrowing of the eyes (Gesenius, Barnes), or even biting the lips. |
| Application to Christ | John 15:25 explicitly applies 'they hated me without a cause' to Jesus, making this verse a prophetic type. | Church traditions differ on whether David was directly prophesying Christ or whether the New Testament draws a typological parallel after the fact. Both sides agree the verse finds ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. |
| Nature of David's innocence | David had done nothing to deserve Saul's pursuit or the courtiers' hostility (1 Samuel 24:11, 12). | Some traditions emphasize David's relative innocence (he was a sinner like all humans), while others see his claim as a legal protest within the covenant, he kept faith with Saul, so Saul's aggression is unjust. |
Historical & Cultural Context
David composed this psalm during the years of persecution by King Saul and his courtiers. Calvin describes how the nobles and common people alike, eager to please the king, “burned with implacable hatred against him.” The psalmist knew many acted out of ignorance, but he distinguishes those who oppose him from deliberate malice. In the ancient Near East, winking was a recognized gesture of scorn and conspiracy (Barnes, Cambridge Bible). Proverbs 6:13 and 10:10 associate winking with deceit and mischief. The word קָרַץ literally means to pinch or nip, and it appears for eyes and lips, a signal of shared contempt for the victim.
Lange’s commentary notes the psalm’s three-part structure: prayer, description of enemies, vow of thanksgiving. By verse 19, the psalmist’s voice has grown calmer (Keil & Delitzsch), though the threat remains acute. The phrase “without a cause” (חִנָּם) recurs in Psalm 69:4 and later in John 15:25. David’s claim of innocence is not self-righteousness but a specific denial of the charges against him, he had spared Saul’s life (1 Samuel 24:11, 12) and harbored no rebellion. The poetic language of “quiet in the land” (v. 20) contrasts the psalmist’s peaceable ways with the aggression of his foes, who devise deceit and gloat openly at his misfortune.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts, and the Masoretic reading is followed by all major translations.
Reception History
Early Christian readers saw in this verse a prophecy of Christ’s rejection by the Jewish leaders. John 15:25 explicitly cites “they hated me without a cause” from the Psalms, linking David’s experience to the Messiah’s. Augustine and other church fathers read the psalm as Christ’s own prayer, identifying the enemies as those who opposed the gospel. During the Reformation, Calvin emphasized David’s innocence as a model for believers facing false accusation, not a claim to perfection, but a clear conscience before God. Modern interpreters have also applied the verse to situations of unjust slander and persecution, using David’s honest plea as a pattern for lament.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Reality of Unjust Suffering. David’s enemies have no cause for hatred. He has done them no wrong. This verse names a painful truth: the righteous are sometimes opposed without reason.
- The Specificity of the Psalmist’s Petition. He asks not for revenge but for deliverance from their gloating. The “wink of the eye” captures the dismissive, triumphant cruelty of those who enjoy his fall.
- The Fulfillment in Christ. John 15:25 directly applies this verse to Jesus. He was hated without cause by the very people he came to save. His experience validates ours and gives us hope that God hears the innocent cry.
Five-point outline
- Innocence Affirmed. David insists he is not guilty of the charges laid against him. This is not arrogance but a clear conscience before God.
- The Gesture of Malice. The wink is a nonverbal taunt, a way for conspirators to signal shared pleasure at another’s suffering. It strips away any pretense and reveals the heart.
- The Cry for Justice. “Do not let them rejoice” is a plea for God to intervene, not a demand for personal vengeance. The psalmist trusts God to set things right.
- The Hope of Deliverance. The surrounding verses (v.22, 24) show David’s confidence that Yahweh has seen everything and will act.
- The Vow of Praise. In verse 18 and again in verse 28, the psalmist promises public thanks. His prayer is framed by worship; deliverance will lead to testimony.
Illustration hooks
- Workplace gossip. A colleague spreads lies about your performance, and others smirk knowingly when you stumble. You have given no offense, but they enjoy your setback.
- Family estrangement. A relative nurses a grudge for reasons you cannot name. Every family gathering is tense; they whisper and exchange looks that exclude you.
- Social media pile-on. A post or statement is taken out of context, and strangers delight in mocking you. The anonymity of the internet makes the “wink” digital, a retweet, a laughing emoji.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “Why does God allow my enemies to seem to win, even when I have done nothing wrong?”
- “How should I pray for those who hate me without cause, with anger, with sorrow, with hope?”
- “Does this verse give me permission to ask God to silence my critics, or must I always turn the other cheek?”
Leading a Discussion
This verse invites us to examine how we respond when we are misunderstood or falsely accused. David does not pretend to be unbothered. He brings his raw desire for vindication before God. As you work through these questions, consider how the psalmist’s honesty can shape your own prayers.
Discussion questions
- Read the verse aloud. What emotions does the psalmist express, anger, fear, desperation, hope?
- Why does David emphasize that his enemies hate him “without a cause”? What does that tell you about his sense of justice?
- The “wink of the eye” is a small gesture. Why do you think the psalmist pays attention to something so subtle?
- How does the surrounding context (verses 15, 18, 20, 23) shape the way you understand this petition?
- Jesus applied this verse to himself (John 15:25). How does that change the way you read David’s prayer?
- When have you felt hated or attacked for no good reason? What did you want to say to God in that moment?
- David asks God to prevent his enemies from rejoicing. Is it okay to pray that way today, or should Christians only pray for their persecutors? How do you reconcile the two?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Samuel 24:11 | Moreover, my father, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe and didn’t kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt for my life to take it. |
| I Samuel 24:12 | May Yahweh judge between me and you, and may Yahweh avenge me of you; but my hand will not be on you. |
| Job 15:12 | Why does your heart carry you away? Why do your eyes flash, |
| Psalms 13:4 | lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him;” lest my adversaries rejoice when I fall. |
| Psalms 25:2 | My God, I have trusted in you. Don’t let me be shamed. Don’t let my enemies triumph over me. |
| Psalms 35:15 | But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together. The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I didn’t know it. They tore at me, and didn’t cease. |
| Psalms 38:16 | For I said, “Don’t let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips.” |
| Psalms 38:19 | But my enemies are vigorous and many. Those who hate me without reason are numerous. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
That are mine enemies - Saul and his courtiers.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes highlights that David's enemies have no real cause to oppose him, so his prayer is simply a plea for justice. He explains that the Hebrew phrase for "wrongfully" means "falsely," and the winking gesture is an expression of malice and triumph over someone undeserving.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin emphasizes that David did not view everyone who opposed him as an enemy. He recognized that most people were simply misled by ignorance and the influence of those in power. Only those who knowingly and maliciously sided with Saul to gain his favor did David consider true enemies, and against them alone he called for God's judgment.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes draw attention to the psalmist’s plea that his unjust enemies not be allowed to gloat or to express silent contempt through a wink. The emphasis falls on the baselessness of their hatred and the request that their mocking be restrained.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill points out that the word "wrongfully" describes the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that these enemies attack through false accusations and insulting gestures, such as winking the eye. The phrase "without a cause" reveals a deeper malice than even provoked opposition would show, since the enmity is entirely gratuit
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch draws attention to the Hebrew behind the enemies' gestures: winking and pursing the lips signal deliberate malice. They are not merely hostile but crafty, inventing false accusations against those who walk quietly with God, and then openly gloating with cries of malignant joy when their schemes succeed.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange reads this psalm not as a repetitive lament but as an agitated prayer that circles through three same thoughts in different forms. This structure reflects a heart shaken to its foundation by bitter experiences that contradict all expectations. He justifies the strong imprecations as arising from zeal for God's kingdom, not personal revenge.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that David’s description of his enemies as those who hated him without a cause points directly to Christ. This same phrase is quoted in the New Testament and fulfilled in Jesus, who was also opposed and persecuted despite giving no provocation.