Psalm 35:11
New International Version
Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about.

New Living Translation
Malicious witnesses testify against me. They accuse me of crimes I know nothing about.

English Standard Version
Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I do not know.

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

King James Bible
False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.

New King James Version
Fierce witnesses rise up; They ask me things that I do not know.

New American Standard Bible
Malicious witnesses rise up; They ask me things that I do not know.

NASB 1995
Malicious witnesses rise up; They ask me of things that I do not know.

NASB 1977
Malicious witnesses rise up; They ask me of things that I do not know.

Legacy Standard Bible
Malicious witnesses rise up, Who ask me of things that I do not know.

Amplified Bible
Malicious witnesses rise up; They ask me of things that I do not know.

Christian Standard Bible
Malicious witnesses come forward; they question me about things I do not know.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Malicious witnesses come forward; they question me about things I do not know.

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

Contemporary English Version
Liars accuse me of crimes I know nothing about.

English Revised Version
Unrighteous witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I know not.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Malicious people bring charges against me. They ask me things I know nothing about.

Good News Translation
Evil people testify against me and accuse me of crimes I know nothing about.

International Standard Version
False witnesses stepped forward and questioned me concerning things about which I knew nothing.

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

NET Bible
Violent men perjure themselves, and falsely accuse me.

New Heart English Bible
Unrighteous witnesses rise up. They ask me about things that I do not know about.

Webster's Bible Translation
False witnesses arose; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.

World English Bible
Unrighteous witnesses rise up. They ask me about things that I don’t know about.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Violent witnesses rise up, "" That which I have not known they ask me.

Young's Literal Translation
Violent witnesses rise up, That which I have not known they ask me.

Smith's Literal Translation
Witnesses of wrong will rise up; they will ask me what I knew not.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Unjust witnesses rising up have asked me things I knew not.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Unfair witnesses have risen up, interrogating me about things of which I am ignorant.

New American Bible
Malicious witnesses rise up, accuse me of things I do not know.

New Revised Standard Version
Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me about things I do not know.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
False witnesses rose up; they charged me with things that I knew not.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Evil witnesses stood up and they questioned me about something that I did not know.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Unrighteous witnesses rise up; They ask me of things that I know not.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Unjust witnesses arose, and asked me of things I new not.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Contend with My Opponents
10All my bones will exclaim, “Who is like You, O LORD, who delivers the afflicted from the aggressor, the poor and needy from the robber?” 11Hostile witnesses come forward; they make charges I know nothing about. 12They repay me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul.…

Cross References
Matthew 26:59-60
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. / But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward

Mark 14:56-57
For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent. / Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him:

Acts 6:13
where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.

John 18:29-30
So Pilate went out to them and asked, “What accusation are you bringing against this man?” / “If He were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed Him over to you.”

Matthew 5:11
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

Luke 23:2
And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”

Acts 24:5-6
We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

1 Peter 3:16
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.

John 15:25
But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’

Matthew 27:12
And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer.

Exodus 23:1
“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.

Deuteronomy 19:16-19
If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime, / both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time. / The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, ...

1 Kings 21:10-13
But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” / So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel had instructed in the letters she had written to them. / They proclaimed a fast and gave Naboth a seat of honor among the people. ...

Jeremiah 18:18
Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”

Job 16:8-10
You have bound me, and it has become a witness; my frailty rises up and testifies against me. / His anger has torn me and opposed me; He gnashes His teeth at me. My adversary pierces me with His eyes. / They open their mouths against me and strike my cheeks with contempt; they join together against me.


Treasury of Scripture

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

False witnesses [heb.

Psalm 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.

1 Samuel 24:9
And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

1 Samuel 25:10
And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.

laid [heb.

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Psalm 35
1. David prays for his own safety, and his enemies' confusion
11. He complains of their wrongful dealing
22. Thereby he incites God against them














Hostile witnesses
The phrase "hostile witnesses" refers to individuals who bear false testimony against the psalmist, David. In the Hebrew text, the word for "witnesses" is "עֵדִים" (edim), which can mean those who testify or give evidence. The term "hostile" implies enmity and malice, suggesting that these witnesses are not merely mistaken but are intentionally deceitful. Historically, false witnesses were a significant concern in ancient Israel, as seen in the account of Naboth's vineyard (1 Kings 21), where false testimony led to Naboth's unjust execution. This phrase highlights the psalmist's experience of betrayal and injustice, a theme that resonates with the trials faced by Jesus, who also encountered false witnesses (Mark 14:56).

come forward
The action "come forward" indicates a deliberate and public act of accusation. In the Hebrew, the verb "קוּם" (qum) means to arise or stand up, suggesting a formal and confrontational setting, such as a court or assembly. This phrase underscores the boldness and audacity of the accusers, who are not content with private slander but seek to publicly undermine the psalmist. It reflects the psalmist's sense of being besieged by adversaries who are eager to see his downfall.

they make charges
The phrase "they make charges" involves the act of bringing accusations or allegations against someone. The Hebrew verb "שָׁאַל" (sha'al) can mean to ask or demand, but in this context, it implies making claims or accusations. This reflects the psalmist's experience of being unjustly accused, a situation that evokes the broader biblical theme of the righteous suffering at the hands of the wicked. It is a reminder of the spiritual battle between truth and falsehood, and the psalmist's reliance on God for vindication.

I know nothing about
The concluding phrase "I know nothing about" emphasizes the psalmist's innocence and ignorance of the charges against him. The Hebrew word "יָדַע" (yada) means to know or be aware of, and its negation here underscores the baselessness of the accusations. This phrase highlights the psalmist's bewilderment and distress at being falsely accused, a situation that calls for divine intervention and justice. It resonates with the experiences of many biblical figures, including Job, who also faced unfounded accusations and sought vindication from God. This phrase serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity and the ultimate justice of God, who knows the truth and will defend the innocent.

Verses 11-18. - The second part of the psalm begins with a long complaint, David sets forth the woes under which he is suffering. There are:

1. Calumny (ver. 11).

2. Ingratitude (vers. 12-14).

3. Malevolence (ver. 15). . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Hostile
חָמָ֑ס (ḥā·mās)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2555: Violence, wrong, by meton, unjust gain

witnesses
עֵדֵ֣י (‘ê·ḏê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5707: A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince

come forward;
יְ֭קוּמוּן (yə·qū·mūn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

they make charges
יִשְׁאָלֽוּנִי׃ (yiš·’ā·lū·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

I know
יָ֝דַ֗עְתִּי (yā·ḏa‘·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

nothing {about}.
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no


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OT Poetry: Psalm 35:11 Unrighteous witnesses rise up (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 35:10
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