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Psalms 56:6

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They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 6

It seems by this, and many other psalms, that even in times of the greatest trouble and distress David never hung his harp upon the willow-trees, never unstrung it or laid it by; but that when his dangers and fears were greatest he was still in tune for singing God's praises. He was in imminent peril when he penned this psalm, at least when he meditated it; yet even then his meditation of God was sweet. I. He complains of the malice of his enemies, and begs mercy for himself and justice against them (Psa 56:1, Psa 56:2, Psa 56:5-7). II. He confides in God, being assured that he took his part, comforting himself with this, that therefore he was safe and should be victorious, and that while he lived he should praise God (Psa 56:3, Psa 56:4, Psa 56:8-13). How pleasantly may a good Christian, in singing this psalm, rejoice in God, and praise him for what he will do, as well as for what he has done. To the chief musician upon Jonath-elem-rechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath.

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 6

גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… צָפַן (tsâphan, H6845) — to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny;… שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… עָקֵב (ʻâqêb, H6119) — a heel (as protuberant); hence, a track; figuratively, the rear (of an army) קָוָה (qâvâh, H6960) — to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in…

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Psalms 71:10rank 7

For my enemies speak against me, and those who lie in wait for my life conspire,

Psalms 59:3rank 7

See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.

Psalms 140:2rank 5

who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.

Luke 20:20rank 4

So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor.

Matthew 26:57rank 2

Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered.

Daniel 6:4rank 2

Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.

Psalms 57:6rank 2

They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! Selah

Job 14:16rank 2

For then You would count my steps, but would not keep track of my sin.

Psalms 37:32rank 2

Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,

Psalms 89:51rank 2

how Your enemies have taunted, O LORD, and have mocked every step of Your anointed one!

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