Tehillim 71:10

10 For mine oyevim speak against me; and they that lay in wait for my nefesh conspire together,

Tehillim 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.

Tehillim 71:10 In-Context

8 Let my mouth be filled with Thy tehillah (praise) and with Thy tiferet (glory) kol hayom.

9 Cast me not off in the time of ziknah (old age); forsake me not when my ko’ach faileth.

10 For mine oyevim speak against me; and they that lay in wait for my nefesh conspire together,

11 Saying, Elohim hath forsaken him; persecute and lay hold of him; for there is none to rescue him.

12 O Elohim, be not far from me; O Elohai, make haste for my help.