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Psalms 35:16

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 35:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Like the profane mockers in feasts, They gnashed upon me with their teeth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Like the profane mockers in feasts, They gnashed upon me with their teeth.
Psalms 35:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 35

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I afflicted my soul with fasting; And my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
14I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother: I bowed down mourning, as one that bewaileth his mother.
15But 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:
16Like the profane mockers in feasts, They gnashed upon me with their teeth.
17Lord, how long wilt thou look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, My darling from the lions.
18I will give thee thanks in the great assembly: I will praise thee among much people.
19Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; Neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
← Psalms 35:15Psalms 35:17 →
← Full Chapter 35 Psalms Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“mockers--who were hired to make sport at feasts (Pro 28:21).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“With hypocritical mockers in feasts - The word rendered hypocritical here - חנף chânêph - properly means people “profane, impious, abandoned.” It refers to such persons as are commonly found in scenes of revelry. The words rendered “mockers at feasts,” it is scarcely possible to render literally. The word translated, “mockers,” - לעג lâ‛êg - means properly one who stammers, or who speaks a foreign language; then, a jester, mocker, buffoon. The word rendered “feasts” - מעוג mâ‛ôg - means “a cake of bread;” and the whole phrase would denote “cake-jesters;” “table-buffoons” - those, perhaps, who act the part of jesters at the tables of the rich for the sake of good eating. “Gesenius.” -…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Mockers - They made themselves buffoons and jesters, and accustomed themselves to mock and deride David, that thereby they might gain admittance to the tables of great men, which was all they sought for. Psalms 35:17”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“35:16 The psalmist’s attackers snarl to express their bitter envy.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“hypocritical: 1Sam. 20:24-42; Isa 1:14, Isa 1:15; Joh 18:28; Co1 5:8 gnashed: Psa 37:12; Job 16:9; Lam 2:16; Act 7:54 Psalms 35:17”
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Related study paths

Read Psalms 35 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification