"... Not all individual laments of the Psalter have complaints against God; indeed, only about a third do. That fact might lead one to question how important complaint against God is for understanding the individual lament within the Psalter. In view of their daring character, however, it is amazing that so many laments accuse God. The frequency suggests that the entire Yahwistic community was aware of the possibility and legitimacy of approaching God in this manner. If the stakes were high enough, the people had little reticence. Accusation Against Enemies Alongside the accusation leveled against God are complaints and denunciation of enemies. Psalm 13:2, for example, reads: 'How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?' In Psalm 22, others are 'mocking' the supplicant (verse 7), 'encompassing' him (verse 12), even attacking him (verses 16-17) and dividing his clothes (verse 18). Psalm 35 describes the enemies as betrayers: For without cause they hid their net for me; Without cause they dug a [pit] for my life. (verse 7) The supplicant claims to have befriended those who are now his accusers (verses 12-14); they have returned evil for good, and take pleasure in his fall (verses 11, 15-16). The rhetorical strategy of the complaint against enemies is to enlist God's support against members of the supplicant's community who have harmed him or who rejoice over his fall. Sometimes they are family members and friends who seem to be waiting for the supplicant to die. Occasionally the enemies are 'blamed' on God, e.g., 'You have caused lover and friend to shun me' (Psalm 88:8; Compare Job 19:13-22). In this case, the complaint about enemies is subordinated to the accusation against God. In most cases, though, the supplicant is seeking to arouse pity in God for his or her plight, to recruit God to his side in a conflict, to find someone with whom to share her feelings in a situation of isolation and loneliness ..."