Definition: False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge [things] that I knew not.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Psalm 35:11. It’s a really important and sobering passage about trust and being deceived. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: What it means: This verse is saying that someone who is falsely accusing you of something – something you don’t know – has spread lies against you. It's like they’re trying to make you look bad or guilty when you're innocent. Let's unpack the parts: “False witnesses did rise up” : This means someone is deliberately and falsely claiming something that isn't true. They are setting themselves up as an expert or having a false claim. “…they laid to my charge [things] that I knew not.” : This is the key part. “Charge” in this context means "to accuse" or “to say." The person is saying, "I'm accusing you of something you don’t even know about!" It's a deliberate and careless act of misrepresentation. What does it tell us about our situation? This verse can be really unsettling because it highlights that we are often vulnerable to deception. It reminds us: Don't trust everyone: We shouldn’t blindly believe everything someone says, especially if it doesn’t make sense or if they seem suspicious. Be wary of accusations: Always question things and be careful about what you accept as truth. Protect your reputation: It’s important to stay true to yourself and not let others try to damage your character or standing. In short, it's a warning to guard against being falsely accused. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from Psalm 35? Discuss the context of this verse in more detail (like its time period)? Talk about how to respond when someone is accusing you unfairly?