Psalm 35 14

Psalm 35:14 kjv

I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.

Psalm 35:14 nkjv

I paced about as though he were my friend or brother; I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother.

Psalm 35:14 niv

I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.

Psalm 35:14 esv

I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; as one who laments his mother, I bowed down in mourning.

Psalm 35:14 nlt

I was sad, as though they were my friends or family,
as if I were grieving for my own mother.

Psalm 35 verses

Psalm 35 14 Meaning

Psalm 35:14 portrays David's profound compassion and empathy for his present enemies when they were in distress. He recounts treating them with the intimacy and care reserved for his closest friends or even family, expressing a depth of sympathy akin to the inconsolable sorrow one feels upon the loss of their own mother. This verse highlights the stark contrast between David's benevolent actions towards them in the past and their current unjustified malice against him.

Psalm 35 14 Context

Psalm 35 is a fervent plea from David for divine intervention against powerful and treacherous enemies who are persecuting him without cause. It is categorized as a psalm of lament and imprecation. The chapter shifts between direct appeals to God for justice, descriptions of the enemies' wicked intentions, and affirmations of David's own blamelessness and reliance on the Lord.

Verse 14 falls within David's defense of his own character (vv. 11-16). He outlines the depth of his benevolence towards these very adversaries, contrasting his past compassionate behavior with their present malicious ingratitude. He asserts that he had treated them with genuine care and deep empathy in their times of distress, magnifying the injustice of their current opposition. Historically, this psalm reflects periods in David's life where he faced immense opposition and betrayal, such as from King Saul (whom David spared twice) or later, during Absalom's rebellion, or even the counsel of Ahithophel. David's profound expressions of grief in this verse are not simply emotional; they serve as a powerful rhetorical device to highlight the egregious nature of his enemies' ungrateful actions.

Psalm 35 14 Word Analysis

• I behaved myself (הִתְהַלָּכְתִּי, hithallakti): This is from the Hebrew verb halak (to walk, go), here in the Hithpael (reflexive-reciprocal) form, meaning "to conduct oneself," "to carry oneself," or "to act repeatedly/habitually." It implies a consistent pattern of behavior, a deliberate way of life, emphasizing that David's kindness was not a momentary impulse but an ongoing disposition towards these individuals. This suggests an authentic and sustained expression of care.

• as though he had been my friend (כְּרֵעַ, kere'a): The preposition ke- means "as" or "like," and rea' (friend) denotes a close companion, someone with whom one shares intimacy and common interests. It speaks to a relationship characterized by personal warmth and familiarity, highlighting David's genuine interpersonal care.

• or my brother (כְּאָח לִי, ke'akh li): Again, ke- means "as" or "like," and akh (brother) signifies the strongest human bond of kinship and loyalty in ancient near eastern society, apart from immediate parent-child relations. This simile elevates the previous "friend" comparison, conveying an even deeper level of affection, devotion, and shared burden, typical of familial ties. David's actions transcended mere acquaintance to resemble fraternal concern.

• I bowed down heavily (קֹדֵר שַׁחֹתִי, qoder shakhoti):

  • קֹדֵר (qoder): A Qal participle from qadar (to be dark, gloomy, mourning). This term vividly describes the outward appearance of one deep in grief: darkened clothing (as mourners traditionally wore sackcloth or dark garments), a somber demeanor, and often a lowered gaze or countenance. It evokes visual imagery of sorrow.
  • שַׁחֹתִי (shakhoti): Qal perfect from shachah (to bow down, stoop low, prostrate oneself). This refers to the physical act of bowing down, sometimes even to the ground, a posture universally recognized as an expression of profound submission, humility, or, as here, intense grief. The combined terms create a powerful picture of abject, outward display of mourning, symbolizing the overwhelming weight of sorrow David shared.

• as one that mourneth for his mother (כְּאֵב אֵם, ke'evel em):

  • כְּאֵב (ke'evel): "Like one mourning," from the root avel (mourning, lamentation). This draws a direct parallel to the process of mourning.
  • אֵם (em): "Mother." In biblical culture, the loss of a mother was considered among the most heartbreaking and irreparable of losses, symbolizing the loss of fundamental nurture, comfort, and unconditional love. This final simile is the strongest and most evocative, demonstrating the unparalleled depth and sincerity of David's sympathy for these individuals when they faced their own adversities. It speaks of a soul-level anguish that went far beyond mere polite condolences.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or my brother": This phrase establishes the genuine, familial nature of David's past relationship and actions towards his enemies. It indicates a deep, intentional personal investment in their well-being, rather than a superficial interaction. The progression from "friend" to "brother" signifies an increasing level of intimacy and concern, underscoring the exceptional quality of his compassion.
• "I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother": This climactic simile serves to hyper-spiritualize and humanize David's intense empathy. It's not just a physical posture; it describes an all-consuming grief that penetrates to the core of his being. This hyperbolic comparison intensifies the shock and pain of their betrayal, highlighting the monumental injustice he endures, as he had poured out the deepest levels of his heart for their well-being.

Psalm 35 14 Bonus Section

• Echoes in Suffering of the Messiah: David's suffering, as described in this verse, serves as a poignant type or foreshadowing of the Messiah's suffering. Jesus demonstrated profound empathy, mourned over Jerusalem, associated closely with His disciples (even Judas whom He called "friend"), and was ultimately betrayed and persecuted by those He came to serve and heal. His weeping for Lazarus or in Gethsemane aligns with the intense emotional experience described by David. The profound ingratitude endured by David resonates deeply with Christ's own experience of rejection despite His selfless love.
• Aramaic Targum Tradition: Ancient Aramaic translations (Targums) often expand on Hebrew verses. Some interpret "bowed down heavily as one that mourneth for his mother" with additional specificity, emphasizing David's distress leading him to prostrate himself in the dust and wear dark sackcloth as part of his outward display of intense sorrow for their calamities. This further underscores the cultural understanding of the depth of David's sympathetic grief.
• Rhetorical Device of Hyperbole: David's use of comparisons ("friend," "brother," "mother") escalates from close acquaintance to ultimate familial loss, employing hyperbole to emphasize the extraordinary depth of his compassion. This serves a rhetorical purpose, making the subsequent betrayal by these individuals appear even more heinous and indefensible, reinforcing his plea for divine justice.

Psalm 35 14 Commentary

Psalm 35:14 provides a powerful insight into the character of David and, by extension, into the ideal character of one devoted to the Lord. It captures a moment of heart-wrenching retrospection, as David recalls his unwavering compassion towards those who now ruthlessly persecute him. He asserts that his sympathetic actions in their time of trouble were not perfunctory but emanated from the deepest recesses of his being, as if he himself were grieving the loss of his most cherished relationships – a friend, a brother, or even a mother.

This verse reveals a stark and poignant contrast. On one hand, it showcases David's Christ-like capacity for self-giving love and profound empathy, to the point of sharing intensely in another's suffering. His mourning postures, characterized by deep bowing and perhaps dark attire, were culturally recognized signs of abject grief. His emotional investment was so complete that he compared it to the quintessential human sorrow—the loss of a mother—which signifies an inconsolable and foundational void.

On the other hand, it painfully exposes the wicked ingratitude and moral depravity of his enemies. They repay his authentic, unconditional care with hostility and unjust accusations. This betrayal is not merely an inconvenience but a grievous sin, violating the very fabric of human decency and relationship. The verse implicitly pleads for divine justice, not simply because David is suffering, but because his suffering comes at the hands of those who spurn compassion and return evil for good. This deep injustice calls upon the Lord, the ultimate righteous Judge, to vindicate the upright and confront the ungodly. It underscores the profound sorrow and disorientation felt when one's acts of kindness are met with malice, serving as a powerful lament over human wickedness and a testimony to the righteousness of God's servant.