Psalms 71:10

10 For my enemies are whispering against me. They are plotting together to kill me.

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 That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long.

9 And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.

10 For my enemies are whispering against me. They are plotting together to kill me.

11 They say, “God has abandoned him. Let’s go and get him, for no one will help him now.”

12 O God, don’t stay away. My God, please hurry to help me.