Mazmur 35:19-20

35:19 Do not let those who are my enemies for no reason ¹  gloat ²  over me!

Do not let those who hate me without cause carry out their wicked schemes! ³ 

35:20 For they do not try to make peace with others, ⁴ 

but plan ways to deceive those who are unsuspecting. ⁵ 

[35:19]  ¹ tn Heb “[with] a lie.” The Hebrew noun שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, “lie”) is used here as an adverb, “falsely, wrongfully” (see Ps 38:19).

[35:19]  ² tn Heb “rejoice.”

[35:19]  ³ tn 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).

[35:20]  ⁴ tn Heb “for they do not speak peace.”

[35:20]  ⁵ tn Heb “but against the quiet ones of the land words of deceit they plan.” The imperfect verbal forms in v. 20 highlight their characteristic behavior.