Question 1

What does Psalms 35:11 mean?

Accepted Answer

Psalms 35:11 describes a situation where people give false testimony against the psalmist, accusing him of things he has no knowledge of or did not do. The verse highlights the pain and injustice of being wrongly blamed by others. King David is speaking in this psalm, crying out to God about enemies who are attacking him unfairly. In this verse, David points out that these "false witnesses" are making up charges, showing how deeply he feels betrayed and misunderstood. The verse fits into a larger prayer for God to defend him against those who are treating him unjustly.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Psalms 35:11

Accepted Answer

"False" (חָמָס, ḥamas): This word often means violence or wrongdoing, but here it is used to describe the witnesses as being deceitful or malicious, not just mistaken. "Witnesses" (עֵד, ʿed): This word refers to people giving testimony, usually in a legal or formal setting, emphasizing that the accusations are serious and public. "Charge" (שָׁאַל, sha'al): This word usually means "to ask" or "to demand," so the verse pictures the accusers actively pressing David with questions or demands about things he knows nothing about. "Knew" (יָדַע, yadaʿ): This is the common word for "to know," underlining that the accusations are completely foreign or unfamiliar to David.

Question 3

Why Psalms 35:11 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse clears up that David is not just facing vague opposition, but specific, false legal accusations, which adds weight to his plea for justice. The emphasis on things "I knew not" shows that the accusations are not only false, but completely unexpected and baseless, deepening the sense of injustice. In the context of the whole psalm, this verse helps the reader understand why David is so desperate for God's help—he is not just suffering, but suffering because of lies told against him.

Psalms 35:11 (KJV)