Psalms 71:10

10 For mine enemies have spoken against me, And those watching my soul have taken counsel 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 ) .

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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 Filled is my mouth [with] Thy praise, All the day [with] Thy beauty.

9 Cast me not off at the time of old age, According to the consumption of my power forsake me not.

10 For mine enemies have spoken against me, And those watching my soul have taken counsel together,

11 Saying, `God hath forsaken him, Pursue and catch him, for there is no deliverer.'

12 O God, be not far from me, O my God, for my help make haste.