Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.

PSALMS 56:7KJV
Know the Bible

Psalms 56:7 (KJV)

What does Psalms 56:7 mean?

Psalms 56:7 is a plea asking if those who act wrongly will get away with their wrongdoing, and then calls on God to bring down these people in His anger. The verse expresses a longing for justice against those who harm or oppress.

In this psalm, David is speaking to God while facing enemies who are pursuing and threatening him. David questions whether the wicked will escape punishment because of their wrongdoing and asks God to intervene and judge them. The verse shows David’s trust that God sees injustice and will not let it go unpunished.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 56:7

  • "escape" (פָּלַט, palat, H6405): This word often means to slip away or be delivered. Here, it highlights David’s concern that his enemies might avoid consequences for their actions.
  • "iniquity" (אָוֶן, aven, H205): This word refers to evil, trouble, or wrongdoing. David is pointing out that the people he is talking about are acting with real moral wrong.
  • "anger" (אַף, aph, H639): This word literally means "nose" or "face," but is used to describe anger, especially God’s righteous anger. David is asking for God’s strong response to injustice.
  • "down" (יָרַד, yarad, H3381): This word means to bring down or humble. David is asking God to bring his enemies low, not just to stop them but to humble them.
  • "people" (עַם, am, H5971): This word can mean a group or nation. David is not just talking about a single enemy, but a group acting against him.
  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim, H430): This is the common Hebrew word for God, emphasizing God’s power and authority to judge.

Why Psalms 56:7 matters

  • Psalms 56:7 clarifies that David is not just asking for personal safety, but for justice against those who do wrong, showing a concern for right and wrong beyond his own situation.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme of the psalm, where David repeatedly brings his fears and troubles to God, trusting God to act justly.
  • This verse helps clear up the idea that God is unaware or indifferent to evil; instead, it shows that God is seen as the one who will ultimately deal with injustice.

Where else these words appear

“escape” Hebrew H6405 · used in 5 verses

  • Psalms 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
  • Jeremiah 44:14 So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to the which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.
  • Jeremiah 50:28 The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple.

“iniquity” Hebrew H205 · used in 78 verses

  • Numbers 23:21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
  • Psalms 41:6 And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
  • Proverbs 21:15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.