Psalm 62:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

NIV: How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

NASB: How long will you attack a man, That you may murder him, all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?

CSB: How long will you threaten a man? Will all of you attack as if he were a leaning wall or a tottering fence?

NLT: So many enemies against one man — all of them trying to kill me. To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence.

KJV: How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.

NKJV: How long will you attack a man? You shall be slain, all of you, Like a leaning wall and a tottering fence.

David trusted in God for strength (Psalms 62:1–2). David's enemies, however, perceived him as weak and vulnerable. Walls and fences are meant to be upright. When they lean, it's a sign of collapse or weakness. Smashing into a straight, solid wall is rarely a good idea. When that wall is tilted, however, a heavy blow might be enough to knock it over. The same is true of a fence; when the posts start to tip over, it's no longer solidly fixed in the ground. David's enemies believe they can defeat him, like men who attack a weakened wall hoping to bring it down (Psalm 62:4). This can imply either physical attacks or lies and slander meant to ruin David's reputation.

At times a believer may feel insecure, weak, and vulnerable. Yet God's people can trust in the omnipotent Lord for strength and security. The apostle Paul trusted in the Lord during hard times as well as in good times. He testified, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). In his first letter to the Ephesians, Paul tells them they are involved in spiritual warfare, and he exhorts them to "be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might" (Ephesians 6:10).

David asserts that he places all trust and faith in the Lord God alone. Evil people may slander and attack, but the believer in God can patiently wait for justice. Whether weak or powerful, all people are subject to God's judgment. No deeds will escape the Lord's notice (Hebrews 4:13).

No specific event is associated with this psalm. It may relate to David's time as a fugitive from Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2). It is most likely a general expression of David's faith in God's provision. Other psalms echo these themes of unjust attackers (Psalm 38:19) and God's overwhelming power (Psalm 63:2; 147:5).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.