Psalms 56:6

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.

American Standard Version (1901)

They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, They mark my steps, Even as they have waited for my soul.

Bible in Basic English

They come together, they are waiting in secret places, they take note of my steps, they are waiting for my soul.

Free Bible Version

They gather together in their hiding places to keep watch on me, hoping to kill me.

Geneva Bible 1599

They gather together, and keepe them selues close: they marke my steps, because they waite for my soule.

King James (Authorized) Version

They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

One Unity Resource Bible

They conspire and lurk, watching my steps, they are eager to take my life.

Translation for Translators

In order to cause trouble for me, they hide and watch everything that I do, waiting for an opportunity to kill me [MTY].

Unlocked Literal Bible

They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, and they mark my steps, just as they have waited for my life.

Noah Webster Bible

They assemble themselves, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

World English Bible

They conspire and lurk, watching my steps. They are eager to take my life.

Young's Literal Translation

They assemble, they hide, they watch my heels, When they have expected my soul.

Context

Be Merciful to Me, O God

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.

Summary

In this verse, the psalmist expresses his trust in God even in the midst of fear and opposition. Despite facing enemies who seek to harm him, he chooses to rely on God's strength and protection. This declaration of faith serves as a reminder to believers to turn to God in times of trouble, knowing that He is a refuge and source of deliverance. It reflects the theme of seeking God's help and finding peace in His presence, showcasing the power of faith over fear.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

They gather themselves together,.... And meet in some one place, to contrive ways and means to do hurt, and then assemble together again to put them in execution; as did the Jews with respect to Christ, Mat 26:3. Aben Ezra supposes a various reading without any reason; and that, instead of which Jarchi renders "they lodge", and the Septuagint, and the versions following that, "they sojourn", it should be read "they assemble in troops": because they were many: but the sense is, "they stay" (x), or continue in some certain place: they hide themselves; the Targum adds, "in ambush": they lay in wait, and caused others to lie in wait for him, in order to take him; as did Saul and his men, and the servants of the king of Gath; they mark my steps; they observed where he went, that they might seize him; or they observed his heels, as the old serpent did the Messiah's, that he might bruise them; or they watched for his halting, as Jeremiah's familiars did for his; when they wait for my soul; to take away his life, to destroy him; see Psa 119:95; they wanted not a will to do it, they only waited for an opportunity. The Targum is, "as they waited, they did to my soul:'' or rather, "after they had hoped for my soul" (y): when they had entertained hopes of taking him, this animated them to do the above things. (x) "Commorabuntur", Montanus; "simul ipsi morantur", Vatablus; so Gussetius, p. 166. (y) Vid. Gusset. Ebr. Comment. p. 361.