Psalm 31:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For I hear the whispering of many— terror on every side!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.

NIV: For I hear many whispering, 'Terror on every side!' They conspire against me and plot to take my life.

NASB: For I have heard the slander of many, Terror is on every side; While they took counsel together against me, They schemed to take away my life.

CSB: I have heard the gossip of many; terror is on every side. When they conspired against me, they plotted to take my life.

NLT: I have heard the many rumors about me, and I am surrounded by terror. My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my life.

KJV: For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

NKJV: For I hear the slander of many; Fear is on every side; While they take counsel together against me, They scheme to take away my life.

Persecution can come in a variety of forms, including physical torment and lies or slander, both of which David seems to have experienced. His enemies certainly tried to kill him (1 Samuel 19:2; 22:17; Psalm 54:3). In this passage, it appears they also lied to convince friends and neighbors to turn their backs on him (Psalm 38:12; 59:12). The evil "whispering" David mentions here might include smears on his reputation as well as plans for his death.

Centuries later, the prophet Jeremiah would experience the same struggles described by David in this passage. Jeremiah was extremely unpopular because he predicted disaster for Judah. He writes in Jeremiah 20:10: "I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side! 'Denounce him! Let us denounce him!' say all my close friends, watching for my fall. 'Perhaps he will be deceived; then we can overcome him and take our revenge on him.'"

David and Jeremiah were not the only ones to receive such vile treatment. Jesus, too, was the object of similar abuse. Mark 3:6 states: "The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him." The apostle Paul was another object of sinister plotting. The Jews in Damascus plotted to kill him. Acts 9:24 reports "they were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him." The Sanhedrin also plotted to assassinate him, twice (Acts 23:12–15; 25:3).

Psalm 31:9–13 continues David's psalm of praise. He asks the Lord to be gracious to him. He mentions how sin leads to spiritual weakness, while also mourning how the deadly threat of his enemies has caused friends to abandon him. He hears rumors and conversations that inspire terror, knowing his foes scheme against him. And yet, David will not succumb to despair; he chooses to trust in God, as the next passage shows.

Because God has rescued him in the past, David chooses to trust the Lord even when he is in danger. Neighbors and friends may abandon him, and enemies may plot, but David is confident he will be vindicated. He also calls on others to be firm and brave as they choose to trust in God.

David mentions dangers and enemies in this psalm. He may have been referring to besieged cities such as Keilah (1 Samuel 23:1–15) or Ziklag (1 Samuel 30). Despite the plots of his enemies and abandonment by friends, David trusts in the Lord, receives an answer to his prayer, and encourages his fellow believers to love the Lord and be strong. This echoes themes also seen in Psalms 4, 25, and 71.

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.