Psalms 35:11

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 35:11 captures the profound anguish of King David as he grapples with the injustice of baseless accusations. It vividly portrays the emergence of malicious individuals who, acting as false witnesses, fabricate charges against him concerning matters of which he is entirely ignorant. This verse serves as a poignant expression of the innocent's suffering under slander and a desperate plea for divine intervention against calculated deception and unmerited persecution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 35 is a deeply personal and fervent lament, part of the first book of the Psalter, where David pours out his heart to God, appealing for deliverance from his relentless enemies and for divine justice. The psalm opens with a direct plea for God to contend with those who contend with David, asking Him to "take hold of shield and buckler" and "draw out also the spear" against his persecutors [Psalm 35:1-3](/psalms/35-1 "Psalm 35:1-3 - David's Prayer for Divine Intervention"). Following this initial cry, David details the malicious actions of his adversaries, describing their secret plots [Psalm 35:7](/psalms/35-7 "Psalm 35:7 - The Secret Snare"), their unprovoked hatred [Psalm 35:19](/psalms/35-19 "Psalm 35:19 - Enemies without Cause"), and their cruel mockery [Psalm 35:15-16](/psalms/35-15 "Psalm 35:15-16 - Mockery and Slander"). Verse 11, specifically, highlights the particularly insidious tactic of employing false witnesses, which is a direct assault on David's character and legal standing, setting the stage for his subsequent appeals for God to "awake" and "contend" for his cause [Psalm 35:23](/psalms/35-23 "Psalm 35:23 - God's Intervention").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the legal system placed a high premium on witness testimony, making false witness a particularly heinous crime. The Ninth Commandment explicitly forbids "bearing false witness against your neighbor" [Exodus 20:16](/exodus/20-16 "Exodus 20:16 - The Ninth Commandment"). Such an act could lead to severe penalties, including the punishment that would have been inflicted upon the accused if the lie had been believed [Deuteronomy 19:18-19](/deuteronomy/19-18 "Deuteronomy 19:18-19 - Punishment for False Witness"). False accusations were a common tool of political intrigue and personal vendetta, as seen in the tragic case of Naboth, who was condemned to death based on the testimony of "two men, sons of Belial," hired to lie against him [1 Kings 21:10-13](/1_kings/21-10 "1 Kings 21:10-13 - The Case of Naboth's Vineyard"). David, as king, was not immune to such plots; his position often made him a target for those seeking to undermine his authority or seize power. This verse reflects the very real danger posed by a corrupted legal process and the profound vulnerability of even powerful individuals when confronted with orchestrated lies.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 35:11 encapsulates several foundational themes present throughout the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is the **suffering of the innocent** at the hands of the wicked, a recurring motif that elicits both lament and a fervent plea for divine justice. It underscores the **destructive power of slander and malicious deception**, revealing how words can be wielded as weapons to destroy reputation and standing. Furthermore, the verse highlights the deep **reliance on divine vindication** when human avenues for justice are corrupted or insufficient. David's cry is not merely a complaint but an act of faith, trusting that God, as the righteous judge, will ultimately expose falsehood and uphold truth. This theme resonates with the broader biblical emphasis on God's unwavering commitment to justice and His role as the defender of the oppressed, a message echoed from the Mosaic Law to the prophetic declarations of God's coming judgment against injustice [Isaiah 59:4](/isaiah/59-4 "Isaiah 59:4 - No One Pleads for Justice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **False witnesses (Hebrew, _ʿēḏê ḥāmās'_):** This phrase is highly significant. `ʿēḏê` (witnesses of) is straightforward, but `ḥāmās` is a powerful term. It translates not merely as "falsehood" but as "violence," "wrong," "injustice," or "cruelty." Therefore, these are not just mistaken witnesses, but "witnesses of violence" or "unjust witnesses." This implies a deliberate, active, and aggressive intent behind their testimony, aimed at inflicting harm. Their lies are not passive errors but acts of malicious aggression.
* **Did rise up (Hebrew, _yəqūmūn'_):** Derived from the verb `קוּם` (qūm), meaning "to stand up," "arise," or "establish." The use of "rise up" here suggests an active, deliberate, and perhaps even conspiratorial action. It indicates that these witnesses did not merely appear but actively "stood up" or "came forward" with their accusations, implying a concerted effort to confront and condemn David. It conveys a sense of hostile opposition and challenge.
* **Knew not (Hebrew, _lōʾ yāḏaʿtî'_):** This phrase emphasizes David's absolute innocence concerning the charges. `Yāḏaʿ` means "to know," and `lōʾ` is the negative particle. David is not merely denying guilt; he is asserting a complete lack of awareness or involvement in the alleged actions. This underscores the baselessness of the accusations and amplifies the injustice he is experiencing, as he is being accused of things utterly foreign to his knowledge or experience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ False witnesses did rise up;":** This clause immediately establishes the nature of David's adversaries: they are not genuine witnesses but purveyors of lies, driven by malicious intent (`ḥāmās`). Their "rising up" signifies an active, aggressive, and perhaps coordinated effort to bring charges against him. It paints a picture of a hostile confrontation, where David is ambushed by fabricated testimony designed to condemn him.
* **"they laid to my charge [things] that I knew not.":** This second clause reveals the content and impact of the false testimony. The accusers "laid to charge" (literally, "asked me" or "interrogated me concerning") matters of which David had no knowledge. This highlights the absolute baselessness of the accusations and David's profound innocence. The charges are not merely exaggerated or misinterpreted; they are entirely fabricated, concerning "things that I knew not," meaning they are utterly foreign to his experience, actions, or consciousness. This emphasizes the depth of the injustice and the malicious intent of his accusers.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 35:11, while concise, effectively employs several literary devices to convey David's plight. The primary device is **Lament**, as this verse is a direct expression of sorrow, complaint, and petition within the broader genre of the psalm. The phrase "false witnesses did rise up" uses **Imagery** of hostile confrontation, portraying the accusers as actively and aggressively positioning themselves against David. The term "false witnesses" itself is a form of **Antithesis**, implicitly contrasting their deceitful testimony with the truth, which David embodies in his innocence. Furthermore, the declaration "they laid to my charge [things] that I knew not" emphasizes David's **Pathos**, evoking sympathy for his suffering as an innocent victim of malicious slander. The entire verse contributes to the psalm's overall theme of **Injustice**, vividly illustrating the pain and confusion of being targeted by unprovoked and fabricated accusations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 35:11 resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of justice, truth, and the suffering of the righteous. It underscores the profound theological truth that God is a God of justice who sees and abhors falsehood. David's experience reflects the often-painful reality that the innocent can suffer greatly at the hands of the wicked, yet it simultaneously affirms the hope that God is the ultimate vindicator. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that while human legal systems can be corrupted by malice and deceit, God's judgment is perfect and true. It calls believers to trust in divine sovereignty even when facing overwhelming injustice, knowing that God will ultimately bring truth to light and execute righteousness.

* [Exodus 23:1](/exodus/23-1 "Prohibition Against False Reports")
* [Proverbs 19:5](/proverbs/19-5 "Punishment for False Witnesses")
* [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "The Suffering Servant's Silence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 35:11 offers profound insights for believers navigating a world often fraught with misinformation, slander, and unjust accusations. David's raw vulnerability in the face of fabricated charges provides a template for how to process such pain: by bringing it directly to God. In an age where reputations can be destroyed by a single social media post or an unsubstantiated rumor, this verse reminds us of the enduring pain of false witness. It calls us to cultivate integrity in our own speech, to be quick to defend the innocent, and to resist the temptation to participate in or spread gossip and slander. More importantly, it encourages us to anchor our hope and trust in God's ultimate justice, knowing that He sees all and will, in His perfect timing, vindicate His own. When we are assailed by lies, like David, our recourse is not primarily to human defense (though wise counsel is good) but to fervent prayer and unwavering faith in the One who knows all things and judges righteously.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's experience of false accusation resonate with challenges you or others you know have faced in modern society?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of God's justice in the face of human injustice?**
* **How can we, as believers, actively uphold truth and integrity in our words and actions, particularly in environments prone to gossip or misinformation?**
* **When you feel unjustly accused, what practical steps can you take to emulate David's reliance on God for vindication?**

### FAQ
**What does "false witnesses did rise up" mean in a practical sense for David?**

Answer: In a practical sense, "false witnesses did rise up" means that individuals deliberately and actively came forward with fabricated accusations against David. This was not a passive act but a concerted effort to undermine his character, discredit him, and potentially secure his downfall or even his death. Given the legal and social structures of ancient Israel, such testimony, even if false, could have devastating consequences, leading to public disgrace, loss of position, or a wrongful conviction. It implies a conspiracy or at least a coordinated effort by his enemies to use the legal system or public opinion as a weapon against him, based on lies about "things that [he] knew not." This highlights the extreme vulnerability of even a king to malicious and unprovoked attacks on his integrity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 35:11 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. David's lament over false witnesses foreshadows the climactic moment in salvation history when the perfectly innocent Son of God was subjected to the most egregious false accusations. During His trial, "false witnesses came forward" against Jesus, their testimonies contradicting one another, yet leading to His unjust condemnation [Matthew 26:59-60](/matthew/26-59 "Matthew 26:59-60 - False Witnesses Against Jesus"). He was accused of blasphemy and sedition, "things that He knew not," for He was without sin [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us"). Like David, Jesus "opened not his mouth" in self-defense, silently enduring the accusations [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant's Silence"), trusting in His Father's ultimate vindication. His death on the cross, a direct result of these false charges, was not merely an act of injustice but the divine plan for humanity's redemption. Through His resurrection, God definitively vindicated Christ, demonstrating His perfect innocence and triumph over all falsehood and sin [Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God with Power"). Thus, Jesus is the supreme example of the righteous one who suffered unjustly, bearing the "charge" of the world's sin, things He truly "knew not" in His sinless nature, so that we might be declared righteous in Him [Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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: