Psalms 35:15,16 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

But in mine adversity they rejoiced, &c.— But in my halting they rejoiced, and gathered together; they gathered about me, crouching, when I did not know it; they rent me without ceasing: Psalms 35:16. Amidst profligate common buffoons, they grinned upon me with their teeth. These two verses express in the strongest images the insult of his enemies. When he halted, from weakness, they gathered about him, and mocked him with a mimic halting; for נכים nekim, properly signifies people weak in their legs, and consequently limping and crouching: they would come behind him and rend his garment; for קרעו karu, I think, never signifies any thing else. They would grin their teeth at him, amidst the loosest, most abandoned, profligate buffoons by profession; for there is not a worse word than חנפי chanpei. See Mudge. The indignities and outrages which our Blessed Saviour endured from the Jews seem to be plainly foretold here. Compare Mark 14:65 where Jesus, being blindfolded, suffered a variety of indignities; but could not know who the wretched mockers and buffoons were, otherwise than by his divine power.

Psalms 35:15-16

15 But in mine adversitye they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:

16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.