12 They reward me evil for good,
to the bereaving of my soul. 13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth.
I afflicted my soul with fasting.
My prayer returned into my own bosom. 14 I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother.
I bowed down mourning, as one who mourns his mother.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 35:12-14
Commentary on Psalm 35:11-16
(Read Psalm 35:11-16)
Call a man ungrateful, and you can call him no worse: this was the character of David's enemies. Herein he was a type of Christ. David shows how tenderly he had behaved towards them in afflictions. We ought to mourn for the sins of those who do not mourn for themselves. We shall not lose by the good offices we do to any, how ungrateful soever they may be. Let us learn to possess our souls in patience and meekness like David, or rather after Christ's example.