Psalms 35:19
19 Do not let those who are my enemies for no reason ▼▼ Heb “[with] a lie.” The Hebrew noun שֶׁקֶר (
sheqer, “lie”) is used here as an adverb, “falsely, wrongfully” (see
Ps 38:19).
gloat ▼ over me!
Do not let those who hate me without cause carry out their wicked schemes! ▼▼ Heb “[do not let] those who hate me without cause pinch [i.e., wink] an eye.” The negative particle is understood in the second line by ellipsis (see the preceding line). In the Book of Proverbs “winking an eye” is associated with deceit and trickery (see
6:13;
10:10;
16:30).