Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother. New Living Translation I was sad, as though they were my friends or family, as if I were grieving for my own mother. English Standard Version I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; as one who laments his mother, I bowed down in mourning. Berean Standard Bible I paced about as for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for his mother. King James Bible I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. New King James Version I paced about as though he were my friend or brother; I bowed down heavily, as one who mourns for his mother. New American Standard Bible I went about as though it were my friend or brother; I bowed down in mourning, like one who mourns for a mother. NASB 1995 I went about as though it were my friend or brother; I bowed down mourning, as one who sorrows for a mother. NASB 1977 I went about as though it were my friend or brother; I bowed down mourning, as one who sorrows for a mother. Legacy Standard Bible I walked about as though it were my friend or brother; I bowed down mourning, as one who sorrows for a mother. Amplified Bible I behaved as if grieving for my friend or my brother; I bowed down in mourning, as one who sorrows for his mother. Christian Standard Bible I went about mourning as if for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for a mother. Holman Christian Standard Bible I went about grieving as if for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning a mother. American Standard Version I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother: I bowed down mourning, as one that bewaileth his mother. Contemporary English Version as I would for a friend or a relative. I was in sorrow and mourned, as I would for my mother. English Revised Version I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother: I bowed down mourning, as one that bewaileth his mother. GOD'S WORD® Translation I walked around as if I were mourning for my friend or my brother. I was bent over as if I were mourning for my mother. Good News Translation as I would pray for a friend or a brother. I went around bent over in mourning, as one who mourns for his mother. International Standard Version I paced about as for my friend or my brother, and fell down mourning as one weeps for one's mother. NET Bible I mourned for them as I would for a friend or my brother. I bowed down in sorrow as if I were mourning for my mother. New Heart English Bible I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother. I bowed down mourning, as one who mourns his mother. Webster's Bible Translation I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI paced about as for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for his mother. World English Bible I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother. I bowed down mourning, as one who mourns his mother. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAs [if] a friend, as [if] my brother, "" I habitually walked, "" As a mourner for a mother, "" I have bowed down mourning. Young's Literal Translation As if a friend, as if my brother, I walked habitually, As a mourner for a mother, Mourning I have bowed down. Smith's Literal Translation As a friend, as a brother to me: I went about as mourning a mother: being darkened, I bowed down. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAs a neighbour and as an own brother, so did I please : as one mourning and sorrowful so was I humbled. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible I went about in grief as for my brother, bent in mourning as for my mother. New Revised Standard Version as though I grieved for a friend or a brother; I went about as one who laments for a mother, bowed down and in mourning. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleI behaved myself as though they had been my friends and brothers; I bowed down heavily, as one miserable in deep mourning. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated I have walked as a friend and a brother, and as he who sits in mourning, I was saddened. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917I went about as though it had been my friend or my brother; I bowed down mournful, as one that mourneth for his mother. Brenton Septuagint Translation I behaved agreeably towards them as if it had been our neighbour or brother: I humbled myself as one mourning and sad of countenance. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Contend with My Opponents…13Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered. 14I paced about as for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for his mother. 15But when I stumbled, they assembled in glee; they gathered together against me. Assailants I did not know slandered me without ceasing.… Cross References Job 30:25 Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has my soul not grieved for the needy? Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 1 Corinthians 12:26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Luke 6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 2 Samuel 1:11-12 Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same. / They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 2 Samuel 3:31-32 Then David ordered Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier. / When they buried Abner in Hebron, the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb, and all the people wept. Jeremiah 9:1 Oh, that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night over the slain daughter of my people. Lamentations 3:48 Streams of tears flow from my eyes over the destruction of the daughter of my people. John 11:33-35 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. / “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered. / Jesus wept. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. Galatians 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Philippians 2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Treasury of Scripture I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourns for his mother. I behaved [heb. 2 Samuel 1:11,12,17 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: … Luke 19:41,42 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, … as one. Genesis 24:67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. Jump to Previous Behaved Bowed Dead Friend Grief Grieved Habitually Head Heavily Mother Mourneth Mourning Mourns Sorrows Walked WeepingJump to Next Behaved Bowed Dead Friend Grief Grieved Habitually Head Heavily Mother Mourneth Mourning Mourns Sorrows Walked WeepingPsalm 35 1. David prays for his own safety, and his enemies' confusion11. He complains of their wrongful dealing 22. Thereby he incites God against them I paced about as for my friend or brother; This phrase reflects the deep emotional turmoil and empathy the psalmist feels. In ancient Near Eastern culture, mourning was a communal activity, often involving physical expressions of grief such as pacing or walking in circles. The psalmist's comparison to a "friend or brother" indicates a close, familial bond, emphasizing the depth of his sorrow. This mirrors the biblical principle of loving one's neighbor as oneself (Leviticus 19:18) and the New Testament call to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2). The psalmist's actions can be seen as a type of Christ, who is described as a friend and brother to believers (John 15:15, Hebrews 2:11). I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for his mother. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of Psalm 35, David is expressing his deep emotional turmoil and sense of betrayal by those he once considered close. 2. Enemies Though not named specifically in this verse, the context of the psalm indicates that David is lamenting the betrayal and attacks from those who were once his allies or friends. 3. God Implicit in the psalm as the one to whom David cries out for justice and deliverance from his adversaries. Teaching Points Empathy in RelationshipsDavid's grief for his friends shows the depth of empathy we are called to have for others, even when they wrong us. Dealing with Betrayal The psalm teaches us to bring our feelings of betrayal and hurt to God, trusting Him for justice and healing. The Pain of Broken Relationships Like David, we may experience deep sorrow when relationships are broken, reminding us of the importance of reconciliation and forgiveness. Prayer as a Response In times of emotional turmoil, turning to prayer and seeking God's presence can provide comfort and guidance. Christ-like Love Reflecting on how Jesus responded to betrayal can inspire us to love and forgive those who hurt us. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 35:14?2. How does Psalm 35:14 guide us in responding to others' suffering today? 3. What does "grieved like one mourning for his mother" teach about empathy? 4. How can we emulate the compassion shown in Psalm 35:14 in our lives? 5. Which New Testament teachings align with the empathy shown in Psalm 35:14? 6. How can Psalm 35:14 inspire our prayers for those in distress? 7. How does Psalm 35:14 reflect the theme of betrayal and personal suffering? 8. What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 35:14? 9. How does Psalm 35:14 challenge our understanding of forgiveness and empathy? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 35? 11. Does the harsh response prescribed in Deuteronomy 13 conflict with the concept of free will versus strict divine command? 12. What are the main themes of the Bible's books? 13. Psalm 35:13-14 - How can David both mourn for his foes and call down curses on them without contradiction? 14. How to handle abusive behavior from adult children? What Does Psalm 35:14 Mean I paced about“I paced about…” (Psalm 35:14) pictures David walking the floor, unable to sit still. • Pacing shows the kind of restless intercession we see when David fasted and lay all night on the ground for his sick child (2 Samuel 12:16–17). • It mirrors Job’s friends who sat with him in silence, sharing grief by their very presence (Job 2:13). • David is not passively wishing his enemies well; he is actively carrying their burden before the LORD, just as Romans 12:15 urges believers to “weep with those who weep.” As for my friend or brother “…as for my friend or brother…” highlights the depth of relationship David felt toward those who later betrayed him. • He treated them like lifelong companions, echoing the loyalty celebrated in Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times.” • The wording recalls Jonathan’s friendship with David (1 Samuel 18:1), reminding us that genuine brotherly commitment keeps giving even when not returned (Luke 6:35). • David’s compassion prefigures Jesus, who called His disciples “friends” (John 15:13–15) and prayed for His enemies while they nailed Him to the cross (Luke 23:34). I was bowed down with grief “I was bowed down with grief…” shows sorrow so heavy it pushes a man to the ground. • The same phrase appears in Psalm 38:6, where David confesses, “I am bowed down and brought very low.” • Grief humbles; it drives David away from self-defense and toward the LORD, just as James 4:10 calls us to “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” • Instead of retaliating, David lets the weight of sorrow shape his prayers, following the pattern of 1 Peter 5:6–7—casting every care on God because He cares for us. Like one mourning for his mother “…like one mourning for his mother” lifts the lament to its highest intensity. • A mother’s death was regarded as one of life’s deepest losses; Isaac “was comforted after his mother’s death” (Genesis 24:67), showing how long such sorrow lingers. • Jeremiah urges his people, “Mourn as for an only son” (Jeremiah 6:26), a parallel picture of incomparable pain. • By choosing this image, David testifies that his love was sincere, not sentimental. He felt for his persecutors what a child feels when the dearest person on earth is gone. summary Psalm 35:14 reveals a heart that loves enemies with brotherly affection, carries their pain in fervent prayer, and grieves over them with the deepest human sorrow. David’s posture foreshadows Christ’s self-giving love and calls believers to respond to hostility not with retaliation but with earnest, sacrificial intercession. (14) I bowed down heavily.--Better, I went squalid, and bowed down, alluding to the neglected beard and person, and to the dust and ashes of Oriental mourning.Verse 14. - I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother. In every such case I sympathized with the sufferer to such an extent, that my conduct was like that of an intimate friend or a brother. I bowed down heavily, as one that mournsth for his mother. Nay, I went further; I took on all those outward signs of grief which are usual when a man has lost his mother. I "bowed down heavily," as though I could scarcely stand. The Orientals are extreme and exaggerated in their manifestations both of joy and grief (see Herod., 8:99).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew I paced aboutהִתְהַלָּ֑כְתִּי (hiṯ·hal·lā·ḵə·tî) Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk as for my friend כְּרֵֽעַ־ (kə·rê·a‘-) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow or brother; כְּאָ֣ח (kə·’āḥ) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) I was bowed down שַׁחֽוֹתִי׃ (ša·ḥō·w·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 7817: To bow, be bowed down, crouch with grief, קֹדֵ֥ר (qō·ḏêr) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6937: To be ashy, darkcolored, to mourn like one mourning כַּאֲבֶל־ (ka·’ă·ḇel-) Preposition-k | Adjective - masculine singular construct Strong's 57: Lamenting [for his] mother. אֵ֝֗ם (’êm) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 517: A mother, ) Links Psalm 35:14 NIVPsalm 35:14 NLT Psalm 35:14 ESV Psalm 35:14 NASB Psalm 35:14 KJV Psalm 35:14 BibleApps.com Psalm 35:14 Biblia Paralela Psalm 35:14 Chinese Bible Psalm 35:14 French Bible Psalm 35:14 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 35:14 I behaved myself as though it had (Psalm Ps Psa.) |