Ps. 35.16 (mocking the anointed)

“With the profanities / of derisive mockery – they gnash their teeth / against me” In our previous reflection we noted how the fact that the ‘tearing’ of these “does not desist” points to the element of shame and humiliation they are attempting to subject on David/the anointed. They are not merely attempting to punish him; they are attempting to rob him of power (honor and power being closely aligned in a king). We also recall the opening of the psalm when David implores Yhwh to “strive against those who strive against me.” We noted how ‘striving’ carries legal connotations; in essence, he is asking Yhwh to be defense attorney (or, paraclete). In this verse, the ‘attack’ moves from the physical to the verbal: “profanities of derisive mockery”. The first element of their speech is it is ‘profane’; it is unholy and unclean. Second, it is ‘derisive mockery’: this is the verbal compliment to the continuous tearing—it is meant to shame and humiliate David. In essence, then, this speech is attempting to make David ‘unclean’ (by accusing him of injustice) and to humiliate him (and rob him of his power). Both actions would accomplish the further goal of alienation: no one would approach an unclean person nor would his subjects remain loyal to him were he dishonored or humiliated. In these men’s attack, then, David stands on a precipice: were he not to be vindicated he would be tarnished and pushed over the edge into becoming a ‘failed king’ (almost, Saul-like). Here we see why these battles are absolutely crucial to win (not just militarily, but also politically/socially). A king cannot retreat into a form of resignation or detachment; he cannot cede his honor to the public. Rather, his honor is intimately tied to the health of his flock (t is, as we have said, his public face). If the shepherd is struck, the flock is scattered. This is why this verbal onslaught comes immediately following the description of physical attack; they may as well be the same thing. This ‘gnashing of teeth’—whether it chews and tears up David in military conquest or subjects him to dishonor and discredits his ability to rule—it is all the same. Here we find the profound point: when an anointed is crucified by his enemies it will always involve this element of verbal shaming and attempt to discredit him; it will attempt to alienate him from his flock by showing him to be incapable of defending himself.