What does Psalm 35:16 mean?
David describes his foes like drunken, out-of-control fools completely lost in idiocy during some wild party. The Hebrew words used here imply godlessness and senseless babbling. These men made David the object of their cruel jokes. Symbolically, like wild animals, they snapped at him with their teeth.Jesus, too, underwent cruel jesting. Mark 15:16–20 reports the profane treatment He received from the soldiers after His arrest. They clothed Him in a purple cloak, put a makeshift crown of thorns on His head, and laughingly called Him King of the Jews. They struck Him on the head with a reed, spat on Him, knelt in sarcastic homage, mocked Him, then crucified Him (Matthew 27:27–31). Stephen also experienced the kind of animal-like treatment David received. When Stephen testified about Jesus, those who were eager to murder him "ground their teeth at him" (Acts 7:54). Christians should not be surprised when antichristian people ridicule or even attack.
Psalm 35:11–18 is the second of three variations on the same themes, which make up Psalm 35. David describes the attacks he endured. His enemy lied and used unscrupulous witnesses to level false accusations. This betrayal is made worse because David had been kind and loving towards them when they were in need. When they were sick, he prayed for them, and mourned when they did not recover. Yet now they ridiculed him. David calls out for God's intervention.
This is one of the "imprecatory psalms," which call on God to immediately judge or destroy His enemies. David echoes the same ideas in three phases. Each segment includes a plea for rescue, a request for God to conquer David's foes, and a promise to praise the Lord. David makes a point of noting that his enemies have no good reason for their hatred, since he was kind to them. With faith, David looks ahead, trusting he will have the opportunity to worship the Lord for His rescue and vindication.
