Psalms 35:15

"I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother. I bowed down mourning, as one who mourns his mother."

Key Reflection

In Psalm 35:15, the psalmist emphasizes deep emotional and spiritual closeness by describing how he acted toward his adversaries as if they were close friends or brothers, even bowing down in mourning like one who mourns for a beloved mother. This vivid imagery underscores the paradox of expressing profound affection and grief towards those who are causing personal distress, highlighting the complexity of human relationships and the depth of one's commitment to righteousness.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

But in mine adversity they rejoiced -Margin, as in Hebrew, “halting.” That is, when reverses and troubles came upon me; when, in my journey of life, I seemed to stumble. And gathered themselves together -Not to help me, but to oppose me, and to deride me. Yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me -The word rendered “abjects” -נכיםnēkiym- has been very variously rendered. The Septuagint renders it:μάστιγιςmastiges, “scourges;” so the Vulgate,“flagella.”Our translators evidently regarded it as meaning the low, the vile, the outcasts of society; but this idea is not necessarily implied in the Hebrew word.

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