Psalm 62:3-4 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 62:3

How long will ye imagine mischief agaiust a man? rather, How long will ye assault (or, set upon ) a man ? Attack him, that is—seek to do him grievous hurt, as ye are attacking me. Ye shall be slain all of you; rather, that ye may crush him, all of you together . The hope of the conspirators under Absalom was in their united strength. As a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence. The words supplied in the Authorized Version should be omitted. It is David who is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 62:4

They only consult to cast him down from his excellency; i . e . they have no other thought but this—to cast me down from my high station, while I have no other thought but to trust in God, and to look to him for support and protection ( Psalms 62:1 , Psalms 62:2 , Psalms 62:6 ). They delight in lies. Some indication of the "lies" circulated against David at this Time is given in 2 Samuel 15:3-5 ; 2 Samuel 16:7 , 2 Samuel 16:8 . They bless with their mouth, but they curse... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 62:3

How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? - The original word here rendered “imagine mischief,” from התת hâthath, occurs only in this place. It means, according to Gesenius (Lexicon), to break in upon; to set upon; to assail: “How long will ye break in upon a man?” that is, set upon him. So the Septuagint, and the Latin Vulgate. It does not refer to their merely forming purposes of mischief against a man, but to their making assaults upon him; to their endeavoring to take his life or to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 62:4

They only consult to cast him down from his excellency - This is the object of all their counsels and plans. They aim at one high in rank - and their purpose, their sole purpose, is to bring him down. This would apply well to the case of David in the time of the rebellion of Absalom.They delight in lies - In false pretences; in secret plans of evil; in hypocritical assurances. This was eminently true of Absalom, who made use of these arts to seduce the people from allegiance to his father. 2... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 62:3

Psalms 62:3 . How long will ye Mine enemies, (to whom he now turns his speech,) imagine mischief against a man Against me, a man like yourselves, whom common humanity obliges you to pity; a single man, who is no fit match for you? Ye shall be slain all of you The mischief which ye design for me shall fall upon your own heads. And accordingly Saul, and the generality of these men, were slain, 1 Samuel 31:0. As a bowing wall shall ye be As suddenly and easily overthrown; as a tottering... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 62:4

Psalms 62:4. They only consult to cast him down Namely, the man mentioned Psalms 62:3. He means himself, of whom he continues to speak in the third person. From his excellency From the hopes and attainment of that royal dignity to which God hath designed and anointed me. They delight in lies, &c. In secret slanders and execrations, covered with flatteries and fair speeches, as it here follows. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 62:1-12

Psalms 61-64 Longing for GodFar from home, weary, depressed and in danger, David seeks refuge and refreshment with God. He trusts that God will bring him safely back to Jerusalem and give him the strength to carry out his promise to lead God’s people in God’s ways (61:1-5). The people with him add their support to his request (6-7), and David responds that he will always remain faithful to his task (8).God alone is the strength of David’s assurance (62:1-2). David’s enemies think they can ruin... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 62:3

imagine mischief. Occurs only here. Probably = assault, or rise against. man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 62:4

from his excellency = from his dignity or high rank. Royal rank is implied. Selah. Connecting the enmity of his foes with his trust in God. See App-66 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 62:3

Psalms 62:3. How along will ye imagine mischief? &c.— How long will ye push against a single man? Ye shall all of you be slain, and fall on a sudden, like a bending wall, or a tottering fence. See Green and Mudge. The word fence, or hedge, does not come up to the original; which means such a sort of partition, or wall, as, when it is decayed, is liable to fall and crush a man to death. In this view the similitude is, not that they should be in a ruinous condition, like a decayed wall, but... read more