Psalms 56:6
“They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.”
Psalms 56:6 in 8 translations
- KJVKing James Version
- They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
- DRADouay–Rheims
- They will dwell and hide themselves: they will watch my heel. As they have waited for my soul,
- ASVAmerican Standard Version
- They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, They mark my steps, Even as they have waited for my soul.
- DARBYDarby
- They gather themselves together, they hide themselves; they mark my steps, because they wait for my soul.
- WEBThe World English Bible
- They conspire and lurk, watching my steps, they are eager to take my life.
- YLTYoung's Literal Translation
- They assemble, they hide, they watch my heels, When they have expected my soul.
- BPVBiblePics Version
- They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
- BPVBiblePics Version
- They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
Context: Psalms 56
4In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
5Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
6They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
7Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
8Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
About Psalms 56: Trusting God in the Face of Fear
In Psalm 56, David expresses his distress and fear in the midst of persecution. Despite his fear, he chooses to put his trust in God and praises Him for His faithfulness in delivering him from his enemies.
Commentary
The opening words of Psalm 56 set the tone for the entire chapter: "Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up; fighting all day he oppresses me" (v. 1). David is clearly in a difficult and fearful situation, facing enemies who seek to harm him. Yet, despite his fear, he does not turn away from God or despair. Instead, he cries out to God for mercy and expresses his trust in God's faithfulness: "In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (v. 4).As the chapter continues, David acknowledges the reality of his fear and the danger he is facing, but he continues to affirm his trust in God's protection and salvation. He recognizes that God is aware of his suffering and will not abandon him: "You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book?" (v. 8).David's example in Psalm 56 is a powerful reminder that even in the face of fear and danger, we can choose to put our trust in God and His faithfulness. We can cry out to Him for mercy and find comfort in His presence, knowing that He sees us and will never abandon us.