When They Were Sick
Psalm 35:13
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.
In this psalm David describes how his enemies plotted and worked against him. They rewarded him “evil for good” (verse 12). But David practiced showing love even to his enemies. He did not rejoice when they were sick, but prayed and fasted for them. (For more about fasting, see “What Is Fasting?”)
Jesus Christ taught more about loving our enemies in Matthew 5. It doesn’t come naturally to us, but it is a requirement for Christians who must follow the example of Jesus Christ—and David.
For more about loving our enemies and other teachings of Jesus Christ, see our section on “The Sermon on the Mount.”
