Psalms 31:13

13 For I have heard the slander of many; fear was on every side; while they took counsel together against me, they schemed to take away my life.

Psalms 31:13 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 31:13

For I have heard the slander of many
Both enemies and neighbours;

fear [was] on every side;
his enemies were a "Magormissabib" to him, ( Jeremiah 20:3 ) ; encompassed him around, so that he was in fear from every quarter;

while they took counsel together against me;
how to apprehend him, and what to do with him;

they devised to take away my life;
nothing short of that would satisfy; but life is in the hand of God; men may devise, but God disappoints, and his counsel stands; hence the psalmist was encouraged, after all, to trust in him, in this time of imminent danger, as follows.

Psalms 31:13 In-Context

11 I am a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbors, and a fear to mine acquaintances; they that see me in the streets flee from me.

12 I am forgotten as a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel.

13 For I have heard the slander of many; fear was on every side; while they took counsel together against me, they schemed to take away my life.

14 But I have trusted in Thee, O LORD; I said, "Thou art my God."

15 My times are in Thy hand; deliver me from the hand of mine enemies and from them that persecute me.