Verse 6
6. They gather… together They assemble for evil counsel. The word also signifies a temporary sojourn, or residence, as Genesis 20:1; Isaiah 16:4; and it is not improbable that the chief men in the conspiracy had taken residence at Gath, for the greater convenience of concerted action. So the Septuagint: “They will dwell near, ( παροικησουσι ,”) followed by the Vulgate, inhabitabunt. The version of the Liturgy has it, “they hold all together.”
They hide themselves They lurk in ambush, either literally, or figuratively by deeply concealing their real motives.
They mark my steps Literally, they watch my heels. See on Psalms 49:5; Psalms 89:51, “reproached the footsteps,” (Hebrew heels,) etc.
This watching the heels, like a serpent beside the path, to seize from behind, denotes a malicious and dastardly surveillance of the private acts of one’s life.
When they wait for my soul According as they strongly hoped for my life. The idea is, their extraordinary methods, past and present, agree well with their eager hope to destroy David. The “when” simply marks the agreement of all the several parts of their conduct with each other, and their whole scheme with their bloodthirsty desire. “Wait” literally denotes strong hope. They assuredly hoped to be avenged on David for the death of Goliath, and as the candidate for the sovereignty of Israel.
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