Psalms 35:13

The -good" he had done to them. His sympathy when they were in trouble was no mere formality. He prayed for their recovery, humbling himself before God with mourning and fasting (Psalms 69:10-11; 2 Samuel 12:16; Joel 2:12), that their sin might be forgiven and their sickness removed.

humbled R.V., afflicted. It is the technical term for fasting in the Law. See Leviticus 16:29; Leviticus 16:31; Leviticus 23:27; Leviticus 23:32; Numbers 29:7; Isaiah 58:3; Isaiah 58:5.

and my prayer returned into mine own bosom An obscure phrase; not to be explained of the attitude of earnest prayer with head bent down on the bosom so that the prayer which came from his heart seemed to return thither again (1 Kings 18:42 does not justify this explanation): nor again, that his prayer returned to him without effecting its object (Matthew 10:13), for there would be no point in his prayer being unanswered: but rather, my prayer shall return into mine own bosom. They have recompensed him evil for good; but his prayer will not be unrewarded. As the causeless curse returns with interest into the bosom whence it issues (Psalms 79:12), so the prayer at least brings back a blessing to its offerer (Jeremiah 18:20).