John Calvin Commentary Psalms 35:15

"But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: The abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew [it] not; They did tear me, and ceased not:" — Psalms 35:15 (ASV)

But they rejoiced at my halting. I see no reason why interpreters should trouble themselves as they do about the word halting. Some conjecture that David had his leg put out of joint, and others suppose that he halted from some disease. But when we consider carefully the whole passage, nothing is more evident than that he refers by this expression to the calamities which befell him; as if he had said, As soon as they saw me begin to stagger and ready to fall, they, as it were, gathered together against me and endeavored to overthrow me entirely.

Therefore, this expression contains almost the same metaphor as we have already seen in the word sickness. Now, as men often relent when seeing the misfortunes of their enemies, so that they cease to hate or persecute those who are already miserably wretched, it was evidence of the very cruel and fierce spirit by which David’s former friends were driven against him when, upon seeing him cast down and afflicted, they were instead incited by this to assail him furiously and insolently.

Initially, he speaks only of a few; but immediately after, to show still further the indignity done to him, he adds to them the base and ignoble of the common people. This is not because he blames all alike, but so that he may better show with what bitter hostility he was assailed on all sides.

It is probable that those then in power were, as it were, firebrands, who endeavored to kindle everywhere the flame of hatred against David, so that the people everywhere might rise up to destroy him and strive with each other in this enterprise. And he repeats twice that they gathered themselves together, to show how resolute and determined they were in their opposition to him; unless, perhaps, some would prefer to explain the words thus: They gathered themselves together, not only those who had some pretext for doing so, but even the lowest of the people.

The Hebrew word נכים, nekim, literally signifies the whipped, or beaten, but it is here to be understood as denoting base and disreputable persons. Some interpreters, indeed, derive it from the word כאה, kaäh, which signifies to make sad, and expound it actively as, "Those who make me sad." However, the previous interpretation agrees better with the intent of the passage, namely, that David was shamefully treated by the lowest dregs of the people.

The words, I knew not, may be referred to the cause as well as to the persons. I, however, explain them as referring to the persons in this sense: So far from my having any cause to complain that I have offended them or done them any harm, I did not even know them.

At the same time, these words may be understood as implying a complaint on David's part that the people were enraged against him without any cause, since he is conscious of no crime and can conceive of no reason for such fierce hatred towards him. Regarding the last clause of the verse, although interpreters hold different opinions, it appears to me that I have given the true and natural meaning.

Literally, it is, they did cut, and ceased not; but there can be no doubt that the language is metaphorical, and that the word cut signifies that they opened their mouth. It is as if David had said, "They have insolently poured forth with open mouth their scoffing and reproachful words against me."

The additional clause in the sentence, and ceased not, is a repetition common in the Hebrew language and is used to express the vehemence with which David’s enemies proceeded against him. It implies that there was no end or measure to their evil-speaking and that they continued to pour forth with distended throats whatever first occurred to them.