The Meaning of Psalms 31:13 Explained

Psalms 31:13

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.

YLT: For I have heard an evil account of many, Fear is round about. In their being united against me, To take my life they have devised,

Darby: For I have heard the slander of many terror on every side when they take counsel together against me: they plot to take away my life.

ASV: For I have heard the defaming of many, Terror on every side: While they took counsel together against me, They devised to take away my life.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Psalms 31:13 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 31:1-13 - A Cry Out Of Deep Trouble
Some have supposed that this psalm was written during the Sauline persecutions; but it is more likely that it dates from Absalom's rebellion. It alternates between the depths of despondency and the heights of sublime faith, and well befits those who walk in darkness and have no light, Isaiah 50:10.
It sounds as if the soul were on a wind-swept moor, with no shelter from the storm. All is dark and wild; and it dreads to be caught in the entangling net, Psalms 31:4. What a magnificent prayer is that of Psalms 31:5! It supplied their last words to Stephen, Polycarp, Bernard, Hus, Luther, Melanchthon-above all, to our Lord, Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59. The Psalter was our Lord's prayer book. This verse is a suitable petition also, as we go forth into the unknown day, 2 Timothy 1:12.
Sin, slander, neglect make the heart break; but God is all-sufficient. Hide in Him; that life is safe which is God-encompassed. "Hid with Christ in God!" Colossians 3:1-4. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 31

1  David, showing his confidence in God, craves his help
7  He rejoices in his mercy
9  He prays in his calamity
19  He praises God for his goodness

What do the individual words in Psalms 31:13 mean?

For I hear the slander of many fear [is] on every side while they take counsel together against me to take away my life they scheme
כִּ֤י שָׁמַ֨עְתִּי ׀ דִּבַּ֥ת רַבִּים֮ מָג֪וֹר מִסָּ֫בִ֥יב בְּהִוָּסְדָ֣ם יַ֣חַד עָלַ֑י לָקַ֖חַת נַפְשִׁ֣י זָמָֽמוּ

שָׁמַ֨עְתִּי ׀  I  hear 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: שָׁמַע 
Sense: to hear, listen to, obey.
דִּבַּ֥ת  the  slander 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: דִּבָּה  
Sense: whispering, defamation, evil report.
רַבִּים֮  of  many 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: רַב 
Sense: much, many, great.
מָג֪וֹר  fear  [is] 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מָגֹור  
Sense: fear, terror.
מִסָּ֫בִ֥יב  on  every  side 
Parse: Preposition-m, Adverb
Root: מוּסָב 
Sense: places round about, circuit, round about adv.
בְּהִוָּסְדָ֣ם  while  they  take  counsel 
Parse: Preposition-b, Verb, Nifal, Infinitive construct, third person masculine plural
Root: יָסַד 
Sense: to found, fix, establish, lay foundation.
יַ֣חַד  together 
Parse: Adverb
Root: יַחַד 
Sense: union, unitedness adv.
עָלַ֑י  against  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
לָקַ֖חַת  to  take  away 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: יָקַח 
Sense: to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away.
נַפְשִׁ֣י  my  life 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: נֶפֶשׁ  
Sense: soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion.
זָמָֽמוּ  they  scheme 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: זָמַם  
Sense: to have a thought, devise, plan, consider, purpose.