Psalms 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

I behaved {H1980} myself as though he had been my friend {H7453} or brother {H251}: I bowed down {H7817}{H8804)} heavily {H6937}{H8802)}, as one that mourneth {H57} for his mother {H517}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I behaved as I would for my friend or my brother; I bent down in sorrow as if mourning my mother.

Berean Standard Bible

I paced about as for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for his mother.

American Standard Version

I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother: I bowed down mourning, as one that bewaileth his mother.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 35:14 offers a profound and poignant revelation of King David's character, showcasing his extraordinary compassion and selfless empathy for individuals who would later become his unjust adversaries. This verse serves as a powerful testament to David's past benevolence, where he treated his future enemies with the intimate care and loyalty reserved for a friend or brother, and mourned their distress with the intensity one would grieve for a mother. It starkly contrasts this deep kindness with their subsequent treacherous betrayal, underscoring the pain of unrequited goodness and forming a crucial basis for David's fervent plea for divine justice against those who repay good with evil.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 35 is a classic individual lament, a fervent prayer from David to God for deliverance and vindication against his relentless enemies. The psalm is structurally organized into three main sections (vv. 1-10, 11-18, 19-28), each typically commencing with a plea for divine intervention and concluding with a vow of praise. Verse 14 is strategically situated within the second section (vv. 11-18), where David meticulously details the unjust suffering and malicious accusations inflicted upon him by his adversaries. This verse functions as crucial evidence of David's righteous character and highlights the egregious nature of his enemies' ingratitude and moral transgression. By recounting his past acts of profound empathy and solidarity with them in their time of need, David underscores the depth of their betrayal, thereby strengthening his appeal for God to intervene on his behalf as the righteous judge. It emphasizes that his current suffering is not a consequence of his own wrongdoing but a result of unprovoked and malicious hostility, intensifying the psalm's central theme of righteous suffering and the desperate cry for divine vindication.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel and the broader Near Eastern world, concepts of friendship, brotherhood, and communal solidarity were foundational pillars of societal structure and moral expectation. To treat someone "as a friend or brother" implied a bond of deep loyalty, mutual support, and profound affection, signifying a relationship built on trust and reciprocal care. The act of "bowing down heavily" (Hebrew _qadar_) was a widely recognized and potent public expression of profound grief, humiliation, or dejection. This posture often involved a downcast countenance, wearing dark or sordid garments, or even sitting in ashes, all signifying a state of deep sorrow or abasement. Furthermore, the loss of a mother was universally considered one of the most devastating bereavements, evoking an unparalleled depth of sorrow and emotional desolation in that culture. David's comparison, therefore, is not mere hyperbole but a culturally resonant and deeply impactful way of conveying the extreme degree of empathy and shared suffering he exhibited towards these individuals when they were in distress. This cultural background illuminates the immense moral and social transgression committed by his enemies, who repaid such extraordinary kindness with malicious betrayal, violating sacred societal norms of reciprocity and gratitude. While the specific historical identity of David's enemies is often debated (ranging from Saul's court, Absalom's conspirators, or other unnamed adversaries), the emotional and moral weight of their ingratitude remains universally understood and condemned.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 35:14 contributes significantly to several key themes woven throughout the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Profound Compassion and Empathy**, showcasing David's remarkable capacity for selfless love, even towards those who would later become his most bitter foes. His willingness to enter deeply into the suffering of others, as if it were his own, sets a high standard for righteous conduct and genuine care. Secondly, the verse implicitly, yet strongly, introduces the theme of **Betrayal and Ingratitude**. By juxtaposing David's past kindness with his enemies' present malice, it highlights the painful and often perplexing reality that good deeds can be repaid with evil, a recurring motif in the Scriptures, as seen in the lament of [Psalm 109:4-5](/psalms/109-4-5 "Psalm 109:4-5 - Repayment of Evil for Good"). This profound betrayal forms the very basis of David's lament and his fervent plea for **Divine Justice**. The psalm asserts that God, as the righteous judge, will ultimately vindicate the innocent and punish the wicked, a hope central to many psalms of lament, such as [Psalm 7:8-9](/psalms/7-8-9 "Psalm 7:8-9 - God Judges the Peoples"). Finally, the verse subtly foreshadows the New Testament call to **Love for Enemies**, a radical principle supremely exemplified by Christ Himself, as taught in [Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **behaved myself (Hebrew, _hâlak'_):** From H1980, this verb literally means "to walk," but in this context, it signifies one's manner of life, conduct, or consistent behavior. It suggests a sustained and deliberate pattern of interaction, implying that David's deep care was not a singular act but a characteristic way he related to these individuals over time. This highlights a genuine, ongoing commitment to their well-being, making their subsequent betrayal all the more profound.
* **bowed down heavily (Hebrew, _qâdar'_):** From H6937, this word conveys a sense of being dark, gloomy, or in deep mourning, often associated with a downcast countenance or even wearing dark attire. It describes a posture or state of profound sorrow, dejection, or humility. In this verse, it emphasizes the physical manifestation of David's empathy, indicating that his shared grief was not merely internal but visibly expressed, demonstrating a full and intense participation in the distress of others.
* **mourneth (Hebrew, _ʼâbêl'_):** From H57, this verb denotes the act of lamenting or mourning, typically accompanied by outward signs of grief such as weeping, lamenting, tearing clothes, or abstaining from food. It speaks to the deep emotional and often public expression of sorrow, particularly in response to death or severe calamity. When combined with "for his mother," it underscores the ultimate and most profound form of grief imaginable in that culture, emphasizing the intensity of David's shared sorrow.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I behaved myself as though [he had been] my friend [or] brother":** David asserts that his conduct towards these individuals was characterized by the highest degree of intimacy, loyalty, and affection, akin to the profound bond shared with a close friend or a sibling. This was not merely polite acquaintance but a deep, supportive relationship where he extended genuine care and solidarity, implying an expectation of mutual support and loyalty. Their subsequent betrayal thus represents a grievous violation of these sacred relational norms.
* **"I bowed down heavily":** This phrase describes David's physical response to their distress. It signifies a posture of deep sorrow and dejection, a visible manifestation of his shared grief. He did not merely offer verbal condolences but entered into their suffering with a profound, almost prostrate, empathy, demonstrating a willingness to bear their burdens as if they were his own. This act highlights the intensity and sincerity of his compassion.
* **"as one that mourneth [for his] mother":** This powerful simile illustrates the unparalleled depth of David's empathy. In ancient Israelite culture, the loss of a mother was considered the most profound and devastating form of grief. By comparing his shared sorrow to such an intense bereavement, David emphasizes that his empathy for these individuals was not superficial but reached the absolute pinnacle of human compassion, reflecting a willingness to experience their pain as if it were his own most personal tragedy.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 35:14 is rich in literary artistry, primarily employing **Simile** to convey the extraordinary depth of David's empathy and the egregious nature of his enemies' betrayal. Two distinct comparisons are used: first, David's behavior is described "as though [he had been] my friend [or] brother," vividly illustrating the intimate, loyal, and supportive nature of his past relationship with his now-adversaries. This comparison highlights the profound bond he shared, making their subsequent betrayal particularly heinous. Second, his posture of grief is likened to "one that mourneth [for his] mother," a powerful and culturally resonant **Hyperbole** that emphasizes the unparalleled intensity of his shared sorrow. This exaggeration serves to underscore the extreme degree of his compassion and the devastating impact of their distress on him. Furthermore, the verse implicitly employs **Contrast** or **Juxtaposition**, setting David's past acts of profound kindness and empathy against the present reality of his enemies' malicious and unprovoked hostility. This stark contrast is central to the psalm's lament, magnifying the injustice David suffers and strengthening his fervent plea for divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 35:14 presents a profound theological challenge and offers deep insight into the nature of righteousness and human relationships. David's exemplary compassion, extended even to those who would later betray him, reflects a divine ideal of selfless love that transcends mere reciprocity and human merit. It underscores the painful reality that genuine kindness is not always met with gratitude, and that the righteous may suffer unjustly at the hands of those they have served. Theologically, this verse points to God's character as one who sees, understands, and ultimately judges such betrayal, affirming that His justice will prevail. It also subtly foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on loving one's enemies, a radical principle that finds its perfect embodiment in Christ. David's lament, therefore, becomes a cry for God to uphold moral order in a world where good is repaid with evil, reminding believers that their ultimate vindication and reward rest with the Lord alone.

* [Proverbs 17:17](/proverbs/17-17 "Proverbs 17:17 - A Friend Loves at All Times")
* [Psalm 109:4-5](/psalms/109-4-5 "Psalm 109:4-5 - Repayment of Evil for Good")
* [Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 35:14 serves as a powerful mirror for believers, challenging us to examine the depth of our own capacity for empathy and kindness, especially towards those who may not reciprocate our good intentions or who may even prove hostile. David's example, though presented in the context of lamenting betrayal, reminds us of the ideal of selfless love and compassion—a principle later perfectly exemplified by Christ. It calls us to cultivate a heart that genuinely "mourns with those who mourn" ([Romans 12:15](/romans/12-15 "Romans 12:15 - Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep")), entering into the suffering of others as if it were our own, regardless of their current or future standing with us. This verse encourages us to extend kindness not for what we might receive in return, but as an overflow of a heart transformed by God's grace. While acknowledging the profound pain of betrayal and injustice, it ultimately directs us to place our trust in divine justice rather than relying on human reciprocity. It reminds us that our ultimate reward, vindication, and solace come from God alone, who sees and knows all things.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's example challenge our understanding of empathy and compassion, especially towards those who may not reciprocate or who may even become adversaries?**
* **In what practical ways can we "bow down heavily" or "mourn with those who mourn" in our contemporary context, even when it is costly or inconvenient?**
* **How do we reconcile the call to selfless love with the pain of betrayal, and where do we find our ultimate solace and justice when our kindness is repaid with malice?**

### FAQ
**Who are the "enemies" David refers to in Psalm 35?**

Answer: The specific identity of David's enemies in Psalm 35 is not explicitly stated, which is common in many psalms of lament. They are often described as anonymous, wicked individuals who unjustly persecute the righteous. Historically, they could refer to those in Saul's court who turned against David, or later, Absalom and his conspirators, or even general adversaries who opposed David's righteous rule. The key characteristic is that these are individuals whom David had treated with great kindness and compassion, even mourning with them in their distress, only to have that benevolence repaid with malicious betrayal and false accusations. The anonymity allows the psalm to resonate with anyone who has experienced similar unprovoked hostility and ingratitude, making its message universally applicable to the experience of righteous suffering.

**What is the significance of "mourning for his mother" in ancient Israel?**

Answer: In ancient Israelite culture, the loss of a mother was considered one of the most profound and devastating forms of bereavement. The mother was often the primary caregiver, nurturer, and emotional anchor of the family, and her death typically evoked the deepest and most intense sorrow. Therefore, to say that one mourned "as one that mourneth for his mother" was to express the absolute pinnacle of grief and empathy. It was a culturally understood hyperbole that conveyed an unparalleled depth of shared sorrow, signifying that David's compassion for these individuals in their time of trouble was not superficial but reached the very core of his being, as if he had suffered the most personal and grievous loss imaginable. This comparison highlights the extraordinary nature of David's empathy and, by extension, the egregious nature of his enemies' ingratitude, emphasizing the violation of deep relational bonds.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 35:14, with David's profound empathy and subsequent betrayal, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. David's experience of showing unparalleled kindness to those who became his enemies foreshadows Christ's own life, marked by perfect love and ultimate betrayal. Jesus, the true [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly embodied the selfless compassion David described. He came not to be served but to serve ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")), treating humanity, even His betrayers, as friends and brothers. He wept over Jerusalem, mourning its impending destruction ([Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41-44 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")), a profound act of empathy for a people who largely rejected Him. His "bowing down heavily" was most acutely seen in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He agonized under the crushing weight of the world's sin, experiencing a sorrow "even to death" ([Matthew 26:38-39](/matthew/26-38-39 "Matthew 26:38-39 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")), a grief far surpassing that of mourning for a mother. Ultimately, Jesus was betrayed by one of His own disciples ([John 13:21](/john/13-21 "John 13:21 - Jesus Predicts His Betrayal")), denied by another ([Luke 22:54-62](/luke/22-54-62 "Luke 22:54-62 - Peter Denies Jesus")), and crucified by those for whom He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" ([Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Jesus Forgives His Persecutors")). He is the ultimate Friend and Brother who was repaid with the deepest malice, yet through His suffering and death, He secured salvation for His enemies, transforming betrayal into the path of redemption and offering eternal life to all who believe ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

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

Luke 19:41

¶ And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

Luke 19:42

Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things [which belong] unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

2 Samuel 1:17

¶ And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

2 Samuel 1:27

How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

2 Samuel 1:11

¶ Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that [were] with him:

2 Samuel 1:12

And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.

Psalms 38:6

I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.