Psalms 31:13

13 For I have heard an evil account of many, Fear [is] round about. In their being united against me, To take my life they have devised,

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 Among all mine adversaries I have been a reproach, And to my neighbours exceedingly, And a fear to mine acquaintances, Those seeing me without -- fled from me.

12 I have been forgotten as dead out of mind, I have been as a perishing vessel.

13 For I have heard an evil account of many, Fear [is] round about. In their being united against me, To take my life they have devised,

14 And I on Thee -- I have trusted, O Jehovah, I have said, `Thou [art] my God.'

15 In Thy hand [are] my times, Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from my pursuers.