Psalms 35:11

¶ False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge [things] that I knew not.

False {H2555} witnesses {H5707} did rise up {H6965}; they laid to my charge {H7592}{H8799)} things that I knew {H3045}{H8804)} not.

Malicious witnesses come forward, asking me things about which I know nothing.

Hostile witnesses come forward; they make charges I know nothing about.

Unrighteous witnesses rise up; They ask me of things that I know not.

Psalm 35:11 (KJV) describes King David's distress over being targeted by malicious and untrue accusations. This verse is a poignant cry from one who is suffering injustice at the hands of those who are actively working against him.

Context of Psalm 35:11

Psalm 35 is a deeply personal lament of David, where he appeals to God for deliverance from his enemies and for divine justice. Throughout the psalm, David details the suffering inflicted upon him by those who persecute him without cause. Verse 11 specifically highlights the use of false witnesses, a grave offense in ancient Israelite law, which prohibited bearing false witness against one's neighbor. David's plea reflects his vulnerability and his reliance on God to vindicate him from these baseless charges, which were common forms of persecution throughout the Old Testament, such as in the case of Naboth's vineyard.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Unjust Accusation: The primary theme is the pain and frustration of being falsely accused of wrongdoings. David states, "they laid to my charge [things] that I knew not," emphasizing the complete lack of foundation for the accusations.
  • Betrayal and Malice: The "false witnesses" imply deliberate malice and a calculated effort to harm David's reputation and possibly his life. This speaks to the destructive power of slander and gossip.
  • Seeking Divine Vindication: Unable to clear his name through human means, David turns to God, trusting in His righteousness to expose the lies and bring justice. This reliance on God's intervention is a recurring theme in the Psalms.
  • The Suffering of the Innocent: This verse powerfully conveys the plight of the righteous when subjected to unjust persecution. It resonates with many who have experienced similar attacks on their character.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "false witnesses" is ʿēḏê ḥāmās (עֵדֵי חָמָס). While ʿēḏê means 'witnesses of', ḥāmās is a strong word often translated as 'violence', 'wrong', or 'injustice'. Thus, these are not merely mistaken witnesses, but "witnesses of violence" or "unjust witnesses," implying an active, aggressive, and harmful intent behind their testimony. They were not just lying, but doing so with malicious intent to cause harm.

Practical Application

Psalm 35:11 offers timeless insights for believers facing modern challenges:

  • Dealing with Slander: In an age of widespread information and misinformation, this verse reminds us of the pain caused by false accusations, gossip, and online slander. It encourages us to respond with integrity and trust God to handle vindication.
  • Trusting God for Justice: When we are unjustly attacked, like David, we are called to bring our grievances to God. He is the ultimate judge who sees all and will bring truth to light in His time. The New Testament also warns against false testimony, as seen in the trial of Jesus (Matthew 26:59-60) and the accusations against Paul (Acts 24:13).
  • Upholding Truth: This verse underscores the importance of truthfulness in our own words and actions. We are called to be people of integrity, refusing to participate in or spread falsehoods, remembering that a false witness will not go unpunished.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 27:12

    Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

  • Matthew 26:59

    Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

  • Matthew 26:60

    But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, [yet] found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

  • Acts 24:5

    For we have found this man [a] pestilent [fellow], and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

  • Acts 24:6

    Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

  • 1 Samuel 24:9

    ¶ And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

  • Acts 24:12

    And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

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