Psalms 56:5
Psalms 56:5 in Multiple Translations
All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.
Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
All the day long they wrest my words: All their thoughts are against me for evil.
Every day they make wrong use of my words; all their thoughts are against me for evil.
They constantly twist my words against me; they spend all their time thinking of evil things to do to me.
Mine owne wordes grieue me dayly: all their thoughtes are against me to doe me hurt.
All the day they wrest my words, Concerning me all their thoughts [are] for evil,
All day long they twist my words. All their thoughts are against me for evil.
Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
And he hath delivered my soul from the midst of the young lions. I slept troubled. The sons of men, whose teeth are weapons and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
All day long my enemies claim that I said things that I did not say (OR, try to destroy what I am doing); they are always thinking of ways to harm me.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 56:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 56:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בֵּ/אלֹהִים֮
אֲהַלֵּ֪ל
דְּבָ֫ר֥/וֹ
בֵּ/אלֹהִ֣ים
בָּ֭טַחְתִּי
לֹ֣א
אִירָ֑א
מַה
יַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה
בָשָׂ֣ר
לִֽ/י
בֵּ/אלֹהִים֮
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
Prep | N-mp
אֲהַלֵּ֪ל
hâlal
H1984
to shine
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs
דְּבָ֫ר֥/וֹ
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-ms | Suff
בֵּ/אלֹהִ֣ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
Prep | N-mp
בָּ֭טַחְתִּי
bâṭach
H982
to trust
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
אִירָ֑א
yârêʼ
H3372
to fear
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
מַה
mâh
H4100
what?
Part
יַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
בָשָׂ֣ר
bâsâr
H1320
flesh
N-ms
לִֽ/י
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 56:5
בֵּ/אלֹהִים֮
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
Prep | N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
אֲהַלֵּ֪ל
hâlal
H1984
"to shine"
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs
To be foolish means to act wildly or make a show, like the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:29. It can also mean to celebrate or boast, as in Psalm 38:5.
Definition: 1) to shine 1a) (Qal) to shine (fig. of God's favour) 1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light
Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(-ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine. See also: Genesis 12:15; Psalms 113:1; Psalms 5:6.
דְּבָ֫ר֥/וֹ
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-ms | Suff
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
בֵּ/אלֹהִ֣ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
Prep | N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
בָּ֭טַחְתִּי
bâṭach
H982
"to trust"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
To trust means to have confidence or faith in something or someone, like the Israelites trusting in God to lead them through the desert, as seen in Psalm 23.
Definition: 1) to trust 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to trust, trust in 1a2) to have confidence, be confident 1a3) to be bold 1a4) to be secure 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to trust, make secure 2) (TWOT) to feel safe, be careless
Usage: Occurs in 117 OT verses. KJV: be bold (confident, secure, sure), careless (one, woman), put confidence, (make to) hope, (put, make to) trust. See also: Deuteronomy 28:52; Psalms 118:8; Psalms 4:6.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
אִירָ֑א
yârêʼ
H3372
"to fear"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to fear or revere, and is used to describe being afraid or standing in awe of something, like God's power. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of respect or reverence. In the KJV, it's translated as 'affright' or 'reverence'.
Definition: : frightening(DANGER) 1) to fear, revere, be afraid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fear, be afraid 1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed 1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared 1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe 1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe 1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify 2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
Usage: Occurs in 318 OT verses. KJV: affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), [idiom] see, terrible (act, -ness, thing). See also: Genesis 3:10; 1 Samuel 12:18; Psalms 3:7.
מַה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
יַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
בָשָׂ֣ר
bâsâr
H1320
"flesh"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.
לִֽ/י
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Psalms 56:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 56:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 56:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 56:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 56:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 56:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 56:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 56:5
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 56:5
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 56:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 56:5
- Sermons on Psalms 56:5
Context — Be Merciful to Me, O God
3When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
4In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
5All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.
6They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life. 7In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke 11:54 | waiting to catch Him in something He might say. |
| 2 | Matthew 22:15 | Then the Pharisees went out and conspired to trap Jesus in His words. |
| 3 | Isaiah 29:20–21 | For the ruthless will vanish, the mockers will disappear, and all who look for evil will be cut down— those who indict a man with a word, who ensnare the mediator at the gate, and who with false charges deprive the innocent of justice. |
| 4 | Psalms 41:7 | All who hate me whisper against me; they imagine the worst for me: |
| 5 | 2 Peter 3:16 | He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. |
| 6 | 1 Samuel 18:21 | “I will give her to David,” Saul thought, “so that she may be a snare to him, and the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “For a second time now you can be my son-in-law.” |
| 7 | 1 Samuel 18:17 | Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.” |
| 8 | John 2:19 | Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” |
| 9 | Luke 22:3–6 | Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. Judas consented, and began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus to them in the absence of a crowd. |
| 10 | Matthew 26:61 | and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” |
Psalms 56:5 Summary
This verse is talking about how sometimes people will try to hurt us by twisting our words or thinking bad thoughts about us. But even when this happens, we can trust God to take care of us, just like David did in Psalms 56:3-4. We can remember that God is our protector and will ultimately bring justice to those who are doing wrong, as promised in Deuteronomy 32:4. By trusting in God, we can have peace and confidence, even in the face of opposition, as seen in Isaiah 26:3.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have our words twisted by others?
Having our words twisted means that others are misinterpreting or misrepresenting what we say, often with the intention of harming us, as seen in Psalms 56:5. This can be a form of spiritual attack, and we can find comfort in knowing that God is our defender, as promised in Psalms 138:8.
Why do the wicked think about our demise all day long?
The wicked think about our demise because they are driven by hatred and a desire to destroy God's people, as seen in Psalms 56:5. This is a result of their sinful nature, which is opposed to God and His ways, as described in Romans 8:7.
How can we trust God when we are being attacked by others?
We can trust God because He is our rock and our salvation, as stated in Psalms 62:6. Even when others are plotting against us, God is our defender and will ultimately bring them to justice, as promised in Psalms 7:11.
What can we do when we feel like we are being conspired against?
When we feel like we are being conspired against, we can turn to God in prayer and trust in His sovereignty, as seen in Psalms 56:3-4. We can also remember that God is our shield and will protect us from harm, as promised in Psalms 3:3.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when I feel like others are twisting my words or plotting against me?
- What are some ways that I can trust God more fully, even in the face of opposition or attack?
- How can I use this verse to pray for those who are opposing me or seeking to do me harm?
- What are some ways that I can be a blessing to others, even when they are not being kind to me?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 56:5
Every day they wrest my words,.... Form, fashion, and shape them at their pleasure; construe them, and put what sense upon them they think fit.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 56:5
Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. Every day they wrest my words. "Wrest" - literally, vex my protestations of innocence.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 56:5
They wrest my words; they misconstrue and pervert my most innocent expressions, and turn them into matter of calumny, wherewith they may incense Saul against me. Or, they perplex my affairs. All their thoughts are against me for evil; it is their whole study to do me mischief.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 56:5
Psalms 56:5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts [are] against me for evil.Ver. 5. Every day they wrest my words] Or, my matters; they distort and pervert everything I say, or do, from the true intention, and all to make a traitor of me. That I carried myself wisely in the court, valiantly in the field, faithfully toward Jonathan, cautiously for the safeguard of mine own life, shifting as I could from one place to another; all this they say was done out of affectation for the kingdom, and as seeking Saul’ s death. So they dealt by our Saviour in the Gospel, taking that with the left hand which he tendered with the right, and many times marring a good text by an ill gloss put upon it. So Simon the leper served that good woman, who made an ewer of her eyes and a towel of her hair, Luke 7:34. Men should interpret everything the best way, and not as logicians do, Sequi partem deteriorem. All their thoughts, &c.] A servant who supplied guests, etc. at table with water to wash their hands.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 56:5
(5) Wrest.—Properly, afflict; and so some, “injure my cause.” But “torture my words” is intelligible.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 56:5
Verse 5. Every day they wrest my words] They have been spies on my conduct continually; they collected all my sayings, and wrested my words out of their proper sense and meaning, to make them, by inuendos, speak treason against Saul. They are full of evil purposes against me.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 56:5
5–11. The second division of the Psalm is similar to the first: a description of present distress, and prayer for help, followed by an expression of perfect confidence in God’s protection.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 56:5
Every day they wrest my words - The word here rendered “wrest,” means literally to give pain, to grieve, to afflict; and it is used here in the sense of “wresting,” as if force were applied to words;
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 56:5
5. They wrest my words—The word rendered “wrest,” means, fashion, shape; they shape my words to suit their purposes.
Sermons on Psalms 56:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Luke) 33 - Outworkings of Prayer Cont by Ed Miller | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the topic of prayer, which is the fifth topic in the teaching of Jesus. The chapter on prayer, chapter 11, begins with the Lord's Prayer, whic |
|
Pharisees Seek to Catch Others in Their Words by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen addresses the behavior of the Pharisees who sought to trap Jesus with their questions, particularly regarding the lawfulness of divorce. He draws parallels to modern-day |
|
|
(Matthew) ch.21:23-23:6 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of two commandments given by Jesus: to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ours |
|
The Church in Bondage by James Robison | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of listening to God's word and recognizing His authority. He explains that God is coming forth from His place to judge and co |
|
Jesus - You Don't Care About Anyone by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman addresses the misconception that Jesus does not care about anyone, emphasizing that He indeed cares deeply for us but does not conform to human opinions or fears. He |
|
Matthew 22:15-22. Christ Replies to the Pharisees and Herodians Respecting Paying Tribute. by Favell Lee Mortimer | Favell Lee Mortimer preaches about the encounter between the Pharisees and Jesus, where they tried to trap Him with a question about paying tribute to Caesar. Jesus' response, 'Ren |
|
Christ's Teaching Concerning Civil Government Matthew 22:15-22 by R.A. Torrey | R.A. Torrey explores Christ's teachings on civil government in Matthew 22:15-22, focusing on the conspiracy of the Pharisees and Herodians against Jesus. He highlights their hypocr |