Psalms 71:10

10 For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.

Psalms 71:10 in Other Translations

KJV
10 For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,
ESV
10 For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together
NLT
10 For my enemies are whispering against me. They are plotting together to kill me.
MSG
10 My enemies are talking behind my back, watching for their chance to knife me.
CSB
10 For my enemies talk about me, and those who spy on me plot together,

Psalms 71:10 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 71:10

For mine enemies speak against, me
Or "say unto me" F25 what is expressed in the following verse, "God hath forsaken him"; and so these words are a reason of the above petitions: or "mine enemies speak to me"; or "of me" F26; not good, but evil, and so the Targum paraphrases it,

``for mine enemies speak evil against me;''

or concerning me. David had his enemies, and many, as Ahithophel, and others, who spake against him to the people, and thereby drew many with them into rebellion against him; and particularly Shimei spoke against him, and cursed him, calling him a bloody man, a man of Belial, ( 2 Samuel 16:7 ) ;

and they that lay wait for my soul;
or "life"; that laid snares for him; or lay in ambush, and sought for an opportunity to take away his life: or "they that keep my soul", or "life" F1; that were his bodyguards that were about his person for the preservation of him; and so the Targum seems to understand it;

take counsel together;
lay schemes and form plots how to destroy him, as Ahithophel did, ( 2 Samuel 16:20-17:4 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F25 (yl wrma) "dixerunt mihi", Montanus.
F26 "De me loquuti sunt, vel loquuntur", Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Gejerus, Michaelis.
F1 (yvpn yrmv) "custodientes animam meam", Pagninus, Montanus; "custodiebant", V. L.

Psalms 71:10 In-Context

8 My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.
9 Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
10 For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.
11 They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.”
12 Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Psalms 3:7
  • 2. S Psalms 10:8; Psalms 59:3; Proverbs 1:18
  • 3. S Exodus 1:10; S Psalms 31:13; Psalms 56:6; S Matthew 12:14
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