Psalms 56:7
Psalms 56:7 in Multiple Translations
In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.
Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, O God.
By evil-doing they will not get free from punishment. In wrath, O God, let the peoples be made low.
Will they escape when they do so much evil? God, in anger bring these people down!
They thinke they shall escape by iniquitie: O God, cast these people downe in thine anger.
By iniquity they escape, In anger the peoples put down, O God.
Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, God.
Shall they escape by iniquity; in thy anger cast down the people, O God.
They prepared a snare for my feet; and they bowed down my soul. They dug a pit before my face, and they are fallen into it.
So, God, punish them for the wicked things that they are doing; show that you are angry by defeating those people!
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 56:7
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 56:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יָג֤וּרוּ
יצפינו
יִצְפּ֗וֹנוּ
הֵ֭מָּה
עֲקֵבַ֣/י
יִשְׁמֹ֑רוּ
כַּ֝/אֲשֶׁ֗ר
קִוּ֥וּ
נַפְשִֽׁ/י
יָג֤וּרוּ
gûwr
H1481
to sojourn
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
יצפינו
tsâphan
H6845
to treasure
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
יִצְפּ֗וֹנוּ
tsâphan
H6845
to treasure
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
הֵ֭מָּה
hêm
H1992
they(masc.)
Pron
עֲקֵבַ֣/י
ʻâqêb
H6119
heel
N-mp | Suff
יִשְׁמֹ֑רוּ
shâmar
H8104
to keep
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
כַּ֝/אֲשֶׁ֗ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Prep | Rel
קִוּ֥וּ
qâvâh
H6960
to await
V-Piel-Perf-3cp
נַפְשִֽׁ/י
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 56:7
יָג֤וּרוּ
gûwr
H1481
"to sojourn"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This word means to fear or dread something, like the fear of God. It implies a sense of awe or reverence, like the fear that the disciples felt during the storm on the lake in Matthew 8:24. It can also mean to be a stranger or sojourner in a place.
Definition: 1) to sojourn, abide, dwell in, dwell with, remain, inhabit, be a stranger, be continuing, surely 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sojourn, dwell for a time 1a2) to abide, stay, temporarily dwell 1b) (Hithpolel) 1b1) to seek hospitality with 1b2) to assemble oneself
Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: abide, assemble, be afraid, dwell, fear, gather (together), inhabitant, remain, sojourn, stand in awe, (be) stranger, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 12:10; 1 Kings 17:20; Psalms 5:5.
יצפינו
tsâphan
H6845
"to treasure"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
To treasure means to hide or store something valuable, like the treasures stored in the temple in 1 Kings.
Definition: 1) to hide, treasure, treasure or store up 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to hide, treasure, treasure up 1a2) to lie hidden, lurk 1b) (Niphal) to be hidden, be stored up 1c) (Hiphil) to hide, hide from discovery
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: esteem, hide(-den one, self), lay up, lurk (be set) privily, (keep) secret(-ly, place). See also: Exodus 2:2; Psalms 31:21; Psalms 10:8.
יִצְפּ֗וֹנוּ
tsâphan
H6845
"to treasure"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To treasure means to hide or store something valuable, like the treasures stored in the temple in 1 Kings.
Definition: 1) to hide, treasure, treasure or store up 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to hide, treasure, treasure up 1a2) to lie hidden, lurk 1b) (Niphal) to be hidden, be stored up 1c) (Hiphil) to hide, hide from discovery
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: esteem, hide(-den one, self), lay up, lurk (be set) privily, (keep) secret(-ly, place). See also: Exodus 2:2; Psalms 31:21; Psalms 10:8.
הֵ֭מָּה
hêm
H1992
"they(masc.)"
Pron
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: they, these, the same, who
Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.
עֲקֵבַ֣/י
ʻâqêb
H6119
"heel"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to the heel of the foot or a footprint. It is used in Genesis 3:15 to describe the serpent's punishment, where it will bruise the heel of the seed of the woman. The word can also describe the rear of an army.
Definition: 1) heel, rear, footprint, hinder part, hoof, rear of a troop, footstep 1a) heel 1b) mark of heel, footprint 1c) hinder part, rear
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: heel, (horse-) hoof, last, lier in wait (by mistake for H6120 (עָקֵב)), (foot-) step. See also: Genesis 3:15; Job 18:9; Psalms 41:10.
יִשְׁמֹ֑רוּ
shâmar
H8104
"to keep"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
כַּ֝/אֲשֶׁ֗ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Prep | Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
קִוּ֥וּ
qâvâh
H6960
"to await"
V-Piel-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to collect or gather things together, and can also mean to wait patiently for something. It is used in Psalms and Proverbs to describe waiting on God.
Definition: 1) to wait, look for, hope, expect 1a) (Qal) waiting (participle) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to wait or look eagerly for 1b2) to lie in wait for 1b3) to wait for, linger for
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon). See also: Genesis 1:9; Isaiah 5:2; Psalms 25:3.
נַפְשִֽׁ/י
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
Study Notes — Psalms 56:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 56:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 56:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 56:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 56:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 56:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 56:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 56:7
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 56:7
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 56:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 56:7
- Sermons on Psalms 56:7
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.
8You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle— are they not in Your book? 9Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 55:23 | But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You. |
| 2 | Psalms 94:20–21 | Can a corrupt throne be Your ally— one devising mischief by decree? They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. |
| 3 | Isaiah 28:15 | For you said, “We have made a covenant with death; we have fashioned an agreement with Sheol. When the overwhelming scourge passes through it will not touch us, because we have made lies our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.” |
| 4 | Psalms 36:12 | There the evildoers lie fallen, thrown down and unable to rise. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 7:10 | and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, ‘We are delivered, so we can continue with all these abominations’? |
| 6 | Jeremiah 18:19–23 | Attend to me, O LORD. Hear what my accusers are saying! Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember how I stood before You to speak good on their behalf, to turn Your wrath from them. Therefore, hand their children over to famine; pour out the power of the sword upon them. Let their wives become childless and widowed; let their husbands be slain by disease, their young men struck down by the sword in battle. Let a cry be heard from their houses when You suddenly bring raiders against them, for they have dug a pit to capture me and have hidden snares for my feet. But You, O LORD, know all their deadly plots against me. Do not wipe out their guilt or blot out their sin from Your sight. Let them be overthrown before You; deal with them in the time of Your anger. |
| 7 | Psalms 55:9 | O Lord, confuse and confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city. |
| 8 | Jeremiah 10:25 | Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, and on the families that do not call on Your name. For they have devoured Jacob; they have consumed him and finished him off; they have devastated his homeland. |
| 9 | Ecclesiastes 8:8 | As no man has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has authority over his day of death. As no one can be discharged in wartime, so wickedness will not release those who practice it. |
| 10 | Psalms 55:15 | Let death seize them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, for evil is with them in their homes. |
Psalms 56:7 Summary
This verse is saying that even though the nations are sinful and wicked, they will not escape God's judgment. The psalmist is asking God to punish them for their sin, not out of a desire for revenge, but out of a desire for justice and a recognition of God's holiness. This reminds us that God is a just and righteous God, who will ultimately punish sin, as seen in Revelation 20:12-15, where it says that all people will be judged according to their works. We can trust God to handle the injustices in our lives, and seek to live a life that is pleasing to Him, as seen in Colossians 1:10, where it says that we are to 'walk in a manner worthy of the Lord'.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the phrase 'In spite of such sin' in Psalms 56:7?
This phrase emphasizes that despite the wickedness of the nations, they will not escape God's judgment, as seen in Psalms 9:17, where it says 'The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God'
Why does the psalmist ask God to 'cast down the nations'?
The psalmist is asking God to judge the nations for their sin, which is a common theme in the Psalms, as seen in Psalms 110:6, where God is said to 'execute judgment among the nations'
Is the psalmist seeking revenge against his enemies?
No, the psalmist is seeking justice and vindication from God, as seen in Romans 12:19, which says 'Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord'
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse is part of a larger section where the psalmist is crying out to God for help against his enemies, and expressing trust that God will deliver him, as seen in Psalms 56:9, where it says 'Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help'
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have seen God's judgment on sin in my own life or in the world around me?
- How can I trust God to avenge me when I am wronged, rather than taking matters into my own hands?
- What does this verse teach me about God's character and His response to sin?
- How can I apply the principle of leaving vengeance to God in my own relationships and conflicts?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 56:7
Shall they escape by iniquity?.... Shall such iniquity as this, or persons guilty of it, go unpunished, or escape righteous judgment, and the vengeance of God?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 56:7
Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God. Shall they escape by iniquity? - literally, 'upon (the ground of) their iniquity (there is) to them (the hope of) escape' (cf. Isaiah 28:15).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 56:7
Shall they escape by iniquity? shall they secure themselves by such injurious and malicious practices, whereby they do not only vex me, but provoke and despise thee? Shall they have success instead of the punishments which thou hast threatened, and they have deserved? God forbid. But the words may be read without an interrogation, By their iniquity they hope to escape; or, they do escape at present; but, Lord, do not suffer them thus to escape. Cast down: this is opposed to their present exaltation and triumphs over poor David, and to their hopes and confidence of safety and success. The people, i.e. these people of whom I am speaking, to wit, my malicious and wicked enemies, as well those followers of Saul, as these Philistines, amongst whom I now am.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 56:7
Psalms 56:7 Shall they escape by iniquity? in [thine] anger cast down the people, O God.Ver. 7. Shall they escape by iniquity?] q.d. No, let them never think it, their sin will surely find them out, as cunning as they are; and since they are so foolhardy as to walk upon iniquity’ s fireworks, let them look to be blown up; and they shall have my prayers to that purpose. In thine anger cast down, &c.] It is prophetic as well as optative.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 56:7
(7) Shall they . . .—Literally, upon iniquity escape to them; the meaning of which is by no means clear. The ancient versions do not help us. If we adopt a slight change of reading, viz., palles for pallet, the meaning will be clear, for iniquity thou wilt requite them.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 56:7
Verse 7. Shall they escape by iniquity?] Shall such conduct go unpunished? Shall their address, their dexterity in working iniquity, be the means of their escape? No. "In anger, O God, wilt thou cast down the people."
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 56:7
7. Shall they escape by iniquity?] Or, In spite of iniquity shall they escape? When their conduct is so inhuman, shall they escape the judgement? Less probable is the rendering of R.V. marg. (for the thought of which cp. Isaiah 28:15), They think to escape by iniquity. But the phrase is obscure, and the emendation pallçs for pallçt adopted by many critics deserves consideration: Weigh unto them (i.e. pay them, cp. Psalms 58:2) according to their iniquity. in thine anger &c.] In anger bring down peoples, O God: humble them by judgement. Cp. Psalms 55:23; Isaiah 63:6.
This prayer, it is said, is unsuitable for an individual: it must be the voice of the congregation demanding the humiliation of its proud oppressors. But here, as in Psalms 7:6 ff., the appeal for a particular judgement is absorbed in the desire for a general judgement of the world.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 56:7
Shall they escape by iniquity? - This expression in the original is very obscure.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 56:7
7. Shall they escape by iniquity—Shall they escape because of (as the reward of) iniquity?
Sermons on Psalms 56:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Exposition on Psalm 57 by St. Augustine | St. Augustine preaches about the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, emphasizing His dual nature as God with the Father and Man with us, seated at the right hand of the Fathe |
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The Inquisition by Ian Paisley | Ian Paisley delivers a sermon reflecting on the horrors of the Inquisition, describing it as a system born out of prodigious iniquity and cruelty, incompatible with freedom and hum |
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 28:16 - Part 1 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the dream of Nebuchadnezzar as recorded in the book of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream about a great image with different materials |
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The Mystery of Iniquity by Reggie Kelly | Reggie Kelly delves into the profound mysteries of Genesis 3:15, connecting it to the comprehensive plan of God revealed in the Bible, particularly focusing on the two seeds repres |
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The Only Place of Safety by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that throughout history, many have believed they can withstand calamities without faith in God, likening them to the spiritually blind described by Isaia |
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The Foot Out of the Snare by John Toldervy | John Toldervy recounts his journey of being led astray by false teachings and delusions, believing he was the true Christ and receiving revelations from spirits. He describes his o |
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The Danger of Meddling by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the dangers of meddling with sinful behaviors. He emphasizes that when we yield ourselves to sin, it can lead to enslavement and destruction |