13 And I—in their sickness my clothing 'is' sackcloth, I have humbled with fastings my soul, And my prayer unto my bosom returneth. 14 As 'if' a friend, as 'if' my brother, I walked habitually, As a mourner for a mother, Mourning I have bowed down. 15 And—in my halting they have rejoiced, And have been gathered together, Gathered against me were the smiters, And I have not known, They have rent, and they have not ceased;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 35:13-15
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.