Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered.
Parallel translations
- WEB But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth. I afflicted my soul with fasting. My prayer returned into my own bosom.
- KJV But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
- NKJV But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart.
- NASB But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting, But my prayer kept returning to me.
- NLT Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them. I denied myself by fasting for them, but my prayers returned unanswered.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When his enemies were sick, David humbled himself with sackcloth, fasting, and prayer for them.
Overview
David recalls his genuine compassion toward those now opposing him, mourning and praying during their illness. His kindness underscores the injustice of their later hostility. Such love for those who would become enemies anticipates Christ, who prayed for those who wronged him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Ps 69:10–11I wept and fasted, but it brought me reproach.
- Job 30:25Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has my soul not grieved for the needy?
- Matt 5:44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
- Lev 16:31It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, that you may humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute.
- Isa 58:5Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD?
- Matt 10:13If the home is worthy, let your peace rest on it; but if it is not, let your peace return to you.
- Rom 12:14–15Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
- Luke 10:6If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.
- Lev 16:29This is to be a permanent statute for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you shall humble yourselves and not do any work—whether the native or the foreigner who resides among you—
- 1 Kgs 21:27–29When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly.
- Isa 58:3“Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers.
- Matt 9:14–15At that time John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 35:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.