Psalms 71:10 (KJV)

What does Psalms 71:10 mean?

Psalms 71:10 describes how the psalmist’s enemies are plotting against him, speaking ill of him and joining together to plan harm. The verse highlights the sense of threat and isolation the speaker feels as those who wish him harm gather and scheme.

The speaker in Psalms 71:10 is traditionally understood to be David or someone in a similar position, praying to God while surrounded by adversaries. The verse gives a glimpse into a moment of distress, where the psalmist is aware that his enemies are not acting alone but are working together, making their threat more serious. This sets the stage for the psalmist’s plea for God’s protection and help in the verses that follow.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 71:10

• enemies (אֹיֵב, ʾoyev): This word refers to those who are actively hostile, not just opponents but people with intent to harm. The use of this term emphasizes the real danger the psalmist feels.
• wait (שָׁמַר, shamar): Here, the word means to watch or lie in wait, suggesting that the enemies are not just speaking but are carefully watching for an opportunity to strike. This adds a sense of ongoing threat.
• soul (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): This word often means "life" or "self," so those who "lay wait for my soul" are seeking to harm the psalmist at the deepest level, not just physically but in his very being.
• counsel (יָעַץ, yaʿats): This word means to advise or plan together. The verse shows that the enemies are not acting impulsively but are deliberately plotting, which increases the seriousness of the threat.
• together (יַחַד, yachad): The use of this word highlights that the enemies are united in their purpose, making their opposition more formidable.

Why Psalms 71:10 matters

• Psalms 71:10 clarifies that the psalmist’s troubles are not just from one individual but from a group acting in concert, which heightens the sense of danger and urgency in the prayer.
• The verse emphasizes the deliberate and calculated nature of the opposition, showing that the threat is not just emotional but real and organized.
• This verse connects to the wider theme of Psalms 71, where the psalmist repeatedly turns to God for refuge in the face of persistent and growing threats.