For I hear the whispering of many— terror on every side!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's often missed is that David isn't just hearing generalized gossip; he's overhearing whispers. This implies clandestine plotting and deceit, where his enemies are speaking in hushed tones not just about him, but against him, making the "terror on every side" feel even more intimate and chilling.
For I hear the whispering of many— terror on every side!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
English Standard Version (ESV)
David is utterly overwhelmed by suffering, feeling abandoned and scorned by everyone, even his neighbors and friends. He describes himself as forgotten like the dead, worthless like a broken pot, and constantly hearing accusations and whispers of plots against his life. This crushing sense of isolation and the palpable threat of death drive him to cry out to God for mercy and deliverance.
Ever felt like people are talking about you behind your back? This verse captures that chilling feeling with unnerving clarity. It's not just gossip; it's a conspiracy.
The psalmist describes hearing "the whispering of many." This isn't just casual chatter; the Hebrew points to hushed, secretive conversations.
The Danger of the Unseen
Fear can feel like a cage, trapping you with no escape. This verse paints a stark picture of what that feels like when enemies surround you.
The phrase "terror on every side" is a powerful image of overwhelming dread. It suggests that no matter which way the psalmist turns, he encounters fear.
The Experience of Being Surrounded
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Understand the original words
magor · Hebrew Noun
A state of intense fear or overwhelming panic. Biblically, it is often associated with the judgment of God or the schemes of wicked men surrounding the righteous.
ya'ats · Hebrew Verb
A deliberate, often hidden, plan or design to commit evil. It implies active, collaborative malicious intent.
This psalm vividly captures the raw fear and desperation of David's years on the run from King Saul. The 'whispering of many' and the 'scheme together' refer to the constant plots and betrayals David experienced, particularly from Saul's court and those seeking favor with the king.
c. 1025-1015 BC— this verse
Saul's Persecution of David
King Saul, consumed by jealousy and fear of David's popularity, relentlessly hunted David and his followers. David spent years on the run, hiding in wilderness areas and facing constant threats.
c. 1015 BC
David in Ziph
During his time fleeing Saul, David hid in the wilderness of Ziph. The Ziphites, seeking favor with Saul, twice betrayed David's location to the king, showing the intense danger and the treachery David faced.
c. 1015 BC
David Spares Saul's Life
In the cave of En Gedi, David had a prime opportunity to kill Saul but chose to spare him. Later, at Ziph, David again spared Saul's life when he could have easily eliminated him, demonstrating his commitment to God's anointed king despite the persecution.
c. 1010 BC
David's Flight to Gath
Facing extreme danger and unable to find safety in Judah, David fled to the Philistine city of Gath, a territory of his enemies, feigning madness to escape.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment of Psalm 31:13, with Jeremiah lamenting the 'whispers of slander' and 'terror on every side' as enemies plot against him, showing a recurring theme of persecution for faithfulness.
Luke 23:1-5This passage illustrates the 'whispering of many' and 'scheming together' as the Jewish leaders plot against Jesus, leading to His betrayal and trial, mirroring the Psalmist's experience of unfounded accusations and a conspiracy to end his life.
Acts 4:24-28Here, believers pray in unison about the plot against Peter and John, citing how 'Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, united against your holy servant Jesus,' highlighting the same kind of powerful opposition and conspiracy against God's people.
Romans 8:31This verse powerfully counters the fear of enemies plotting against us by asking, 'If God is for us, who can be against us?', offering a divine perspective that transcends the terror of human conspiracy.
calvinPsalms 31:9-13: "Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly."
- Have mercy upon me, O Jehovah! for I am in trouble: mine eye, my soul, and my belly, are consumed by reason of anger. 10. For my life is wasted by reason of grief, and my years with groaning; my strength faileth in my sorrow, and my bones are consumed. 11. I was a reproach by reason of all mine enemies, yea, exceedingly to my neighbors, and a fear to my acquaintances…
jfbPsalms 31:13: "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."
- For—introduces further reasons for his prayer, the unjust, deliberate, and murderous purposes of his foes.
What's often missed is that David isn't just hearing generalized gossip; he's overhearing whispers. This implies clandestine plotting and deceit, where his enemies are speaking in hushed tones not just about him, but against him, making the "terror on every side" feel even more intimate and chilling.
David is utterly overwhelmed by suffering, feeling abandoned and scorned by everyone, even his neighbors and friends. He describes himself as forgotten like the dead, worthless like a broken pot, and constantly hearing accusations and whispers of plots against his life. This crushing sense of isolation and the palpable threat of death drive him to cry out to God for mercy and deliverance.
David is utterly overwhelmed by suffering, feeling abandoned and scorned by everyone, even his neighbors and friends. He describes himself as forgotten like the dead, worthless like a broken pot, and constantly hearing accusations and whispers of plots against his life. This crushing sense of isolation and the palpable threat of death drive him to cry out to God for mercy and deliverance.
"For I hear the whispering of many— terror on every side!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life." — What's often missed is that David isn't just hearing generalized gossip; he's overhearing whispers. This implies clandestine plotting and deceit, where his enemies are speaking in hushed tones not…
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Last reviewed October 2026