Psalms 71:10-11
For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together and say, “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The enemies aren't just talking about the psalmist; they are actively consulting together about how to harm him. This isn't idle gossip; it’s a plotted scheme to take his life, showing their deliberate intent to destroy him.
The psalmist, feeling frail in old age, is acutely aware that his enemies are not only speaking about him but are actively plotting his destruction, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. They are encouraging each other, believing that God has abandoned him, which emboldens them to hatch schemes to finally capture and eliminate him.
Ever feel like people are talking about you behind your back, maybe even plotting your downfall? This verse dives into that chilling reality.
The psalmist isn't just facing physical threats; he's under attack from words and whispers. His enemies don't just oppose him; they speak concerning him, meaning they discuss him, spread rumors, and likely scheme about how to bring him down. The phrase 'watch for my life' paints a vivid picture of relentless, predatory focus – they are actively seeking an opportunity to destroy him.
This isn't just idle gossip. It's a calculated effort to undermine and eliminate. They 'take counsel together,' forming a unified front against him. This highlights how words, when weaponized and coordinated, can feel as dangerous as any physical assault.
What does it mean to have people 'watching for your life'? It's more than just being observed; it's being targeted.
The phrase 'they that watch for my life' (or 'lay wait for my soul') carries a heavy sense of predatory intent. These aren't passive observers; they are actively seeking vulnerabilities, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. They aren't just watching to see what happens; they are watching with the specific goal of causing harm and ensuring their target cannot escape.
This highlights the intense pressure and danger the psalmist feels. It’s the feeling of being under constant surveillance by those who wish you ill, where every move is scrutinized for a weakness they can exploit. Their plotting is fueled by this vigilant, malicious watchfulness.
Understand the original words
oyeb · Hebrew Noun
Those who oppose, hinder, or threaten the righteous; they are often used in the Psalms to represent those who oppose God's people and, by extension, God Himself.
Elohim · Hebrew Noun
The supreme, transcendent Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who enters into personal covenant relationship with His people and is the object of their worship.
azab · Hebrew Verb
To abandon, leave behind, or desert, often implying the withdrawal of aid, presence, or covenant favor.
natsal · Hebrew Verb
To rescue, save, or set free from danger, distress, or enemies, often denoting a divine act of intervention.
This psalm likely arose from the intense personal crisis of David's flight from Absalom's rebellion, a time when his own family and advisors conspired against him, spreading rumors of God's abandonment.
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign and Internal Strife
King David's reign was marked by significant challenges, including rebellions and conspiracies from within his own family and court. These internal conflicts created an atmosphere of danger and mistrust.
c. 980 BC— this verse
Absalom's Rebellion
David's son Absalom led a widespread rebellion that forced David to flee Jerusalem. This period of intense personal betrayal and threat to his life is a strong candidate for the context of this psalm.
c. 980 BC
Enemies Conspire Against David
During Absalom's rebellion, David's enemies, including former confidants like Ahithophel, actively plotted his downfall, spreading rumors and seeking his death. This verse reflects the private consultations and public slanders he endured.
c. 980 BC
David's Flight from Jerusalem
Forced to abandon his capital, David experienced profound vulnerability and distress. The psalm captures the feeling of being hunted and the psychological toll of seeing his own kingdom turn against him.
This verse directly echoes the sentiment of Psalm 71:10, highlighting the common experience of many enemies speaking against the psalmist and questioning God's support.
Psalms 41:5Here, the psalmist expresses a similar lament about enemies plotting and speaking ill, reinforcing the idea of a persistent threat that seeks to destroy.
1 Samuel 24:11In this passage, David confronts Saul, accusing his enemies of watching for his life and seeking to ensnare him, mirroring the exact concern expressed in Psalm 71:10.
Jeremiah 18:18This verse shows a similar pattern of opposition, where enemies plot against Jeremiah, saying 'Come and let us devise plans against Jeremiah' because of the prophetic word, demonstrating a recurring theme of opposition to God's messengers.
Matthew 12:14Jesus' enemies also took counsel against Him, as recorded here, showing that this same kind of coordinated opposition against God's servant is a pattern seen throughout redemptive history.
clarkePsalms 71:10: "For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,"
Lay wait for my soul - They seek to destroy my life.
poolePsalms 71:10: "For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,"
Lay wait for my soul, or watch it , that they may find occasion to destroy it, and that it may not escape their hands.
The enemies aren't just talking about the psalmist; they are actively consulting together about how to harm him. This isn't idle gossip; it’s a plotted scheme to take his life, showing their deliberate intent to destroy him.
The psalmist, feeling frail in old age, is acutely aware that his enemies are not only speaking about him but are actively plotting his destruction, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. They are encouraging each other, believing that God has abandoned him, which emboldens them to hatch schemes to finally capture and eliminate him.
The psalmist, feeling frail in old age, is acutely aware that his enemies are not only speaking about him but are actively plotting his destruction, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. They are encouraging each other, believing that God has abandoned him, which emboldens them to hatch schemes to finally capture and eliminate him.
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"For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together and say, “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him.”" — The enemies aren't just talking about the psalmist; they are actively consulting together about how to harm him. This isn't idle gossip; it’s a plotted scheme to take his life, showing their deli…
