Psalms 31:13

Compare all

11 ^aI am a¹ reproach among all my enemies,
But ^bespecially among my neighbors,
And am repulsive to my acquaintances;
^cThose who see me outside flee from me.

12 ^aI am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind;
I am like a¹ broken vessel.

13 ^aFor I hear the slander of many;
^bFear is on every side;
While they ^ctake counsel together against me,
They scheme to take away my life.

14 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”

15 My times are in Your ^ahand;
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies,
And from those who persecute me.

16 ^aMake Your face shine upon Your servant;
Save me for Your mercies’ sake.

17 ^aDo not let me be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon You;
Let the wicked be ashamed;
^bLet them be silent in the grave.

Commentaries:

Barnes' Notes

<< Psalms 31:12

Psalms 31:14 >>

Psalms 31:13

For I have heard the slander of many - The reproach; the false accusations; the unjust aspersions. We are here more definitely informed as to another of the sources of the trouble that came upon him. It was "slander." He had already referred to "two" sources of trouble; one Psalms 31:11 that he was "reproached" by his friends and neighbors, and that his society was shunned by them; a second, that he was "forgotten" by those who ought to have remembered him, and that they treated him as though he were dead, Psalms 31:12. The third is referred to now; to wit, that he was the subject of "slander," or of false reports. What was the "nature" of those false charges we are not informed. But it is not needful that we should know precisely what they were. It is enough, in order to see the depth and aggravation of his trouble, to know that he "was" exposed to this; and that, to all that he had to endure from other sources, there was this added - that his name was reproached and cast out as evil - that he was subjected to "slander,"

"Whose edge is sharper than the sword; whose tongue

Outvenoms all the worms of Nile; whose breath

Rides on the posting winds; and doth belie

All corners of the world."

Cymbeline, Act iii., Sc. iv.

Fear was on every side - From the causes already specified. He knew not whom to trust. He seemed to have no friend. He was afraid, therefore, of every one that he met.

While they took counsel together against me - See the notes at Psalms 2:2. They entered into a conspiracy or combination.

They devised to take away my life - They devised measures, or they laid a plot, thus to kill me. These are the grounds of the earnest prayer which he urges in Psalms 31:9 : "Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble."

<< Psalms 31:12

Psalms 31:14 >>

DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.