Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 35:19

"Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; Neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause." — Psalms 35:19 (ASV)

Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me - Margin, “falsely.” Literally, “My enemies of falsehood;” that is, who are “falsely” my foes; who have no just cause for being opposed to me. Compare Matthew 5:11. David was conscious that he had done them no wrong, or that he had given no occasion for their conduct toward him, and therefore, his prayer is simply a request that justice might be done.

Neither let them wink with the eye - Compare the notes at Job 15:12. See also Proverbs 6:13; Proverbs 10:10. The word rendered “wink” means properly to tear or cut apart; and then, to cut with the teeth, to bite; and therefore, the phrase “to bite the lips,” as an expression of malice, or mischief-making (Proverbs 16:30); and to bite or pinch the eyes, that is, to press the eyelids together in the manner of biting the lips—also a gesture of malice or mischief. So Gesenius, Lexicon. But perhaps the more probable meaning is that of “winking” literally, or giving a significant wink of the eyes as an expression of triumph over anyone. In this sense, the term is often used now.

That hate me without a cause - To whom I have given no occasion for opposition. In the case under consideration, the psalmist regarded himself as entirely innocent in this respect.