13 For I hear many whispering, "Terror on every side!" They conspire against me and plot to take my life.
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.
13 For I hear the whispering of many-- terror on every side!-- as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
13 The street-talk gossip has me "criminally insane"! Behind locked doors they plot how to ruin me for good.
13 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.
13 I have heard the many rumors about me, and I am surrounded by terror. My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my life.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 31:13
Commentary on Psalm 31:9-18
(Read Psalm 31:9-18)
David's troubles made him a man of sorrows. Herein he was a type of Christ, who was acquainted with grief. David acknowledged that his afflictions were merited by his own sins, but Christ suffered for ours. David's friends durst not give him any assistance. Let us not think it strange if thus deserted, but make sure of a Friend in heaven who will not fail. God will be sure to order and dispose all for the best, to all those who commit their spirits also into his hand. The time of life is in God's hands, to lengthen or shorten, make bitter or sweet, according to the counsel of his will. The way of man is not in himself, nor in our friend's hands, nor in our enemies' hands, but in God's. In this faith and confidence he prays that the Lord would save him for his mercies's sake, and not for any merit of his own. He prophesies the silencing of those that reproach and speak evil of the people of God. There is a day coming, when the Lord will execute judgment upon them. In the mean time, we should engage ourselves by well-doing, if possible, to silence the ignorance of foolish men.