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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 56:6 They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/56-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/19_Psa_056_006.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 56:6 - Be Merciful to Me, O God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/56.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/56.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/56.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They gather together, They hide, they mark my steps, When they lie in wait for my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/56.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They attack, they lurk, They watch my steps, As they have waited <i>to take</i> my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/56.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They attack, they lurk, They watch my steps, As they have waited to take my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/56.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They attack, they lurk, They watch my steps, As they have waited <i>to take</i> my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/56.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They attack, they lurk, They watch my heels, As they have hoped <i>to take</i> my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/56.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They attack, they hide <i>and</i> lurk, They watch my steps, As they have [expectantly] waited <i>to take</i> my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/56.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They stir up strife, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/56.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps while they wait to take my life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/56.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, They mark my steps, Even as they have waited for my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/56.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They attack from ambush, watching my every step and hoping to kill me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/56.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, even as they have waited for my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/56.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They attack, and then they hide. They watch my every step as they wait to take my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/56.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They gather in hiding places and watch everything I do, hoping to kill me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/56.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They gather together and hide in ambush. They watch my every step as they lie in wait for my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/56.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/56.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They stalk and lurk; they watch my every step, as they prepare to take my life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/56.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They conspire and lurk, watching my steps, they are eager to take my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/56.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They assemble themselves, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/56.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They conspire and lurk, watching my steps. They are eager to take my life. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/56.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They assemble, they hide, they watch my heels, "" When they have expected my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/56.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> They assemble, they hide, they watch my heels, When they have expected my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/56.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They will sojourn, they will hide, they will watch my heels as they waited for my soul.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/56.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They will dwell and hide themselves: they will watch my heel. As they have waited for my soul, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/56.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 55:6>All day long, they curse my words. All their intentions are for evil against me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/56.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They hide together in ambush; they watch my every step; they lie in wait for my life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/56.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They stir up strife, they lurk, they watch my steps. As they hoped to have my life,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/56.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They will wait in hiding, they will watch my steps, inasmuch as they wish for my death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/56.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />They will lie in wait and they will stay and they will watch my steps as they lay wait for my life.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/56.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, They mark my steps; According as they have waited for my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/56.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />They will dwell near and hide <i>themselves</i>; they will watch my steps, accordingly as I have waited patiently in my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/56-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=6636" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/56.htm">Be Merciful to Me, O God</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">5</span>All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise. <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1481.htm" title="1481: yā·ḡū·rū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to turn aside from the road, i.e. Sojourn; also to shrink, fear; also to gather for hostility.">They conspire,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6845.htm" title="6845: yaṣ·pī·nū (V-Hifil-Imperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to hide; by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically to protect, to lurk.">they lurk,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm·māh (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">they</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: yiš·mō·rū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">watch</a> <a href="/hebrew/6119.htm" title="6119: ‘ă·qê·ḇay (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Heel, footprint, hind part. Or hiqqbah; from aqab; a heel; hence, a track; figuratively, the rear.">my steps</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">while</a> <a href="/hebrew/6960.htm" title="6960: qiw·wū (V-Piel-Perf-3cp) -- To bind together, collect, to expect. A primitive root; to bind together, i.e. Collect; to expect.">they wait</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">to take my life.</a> </span><span class="reftext">7</span>In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-18.htm">Jeremiah 18:18</a></span><br />Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/31-13.htm">Psalm 31:13</a></span><br />For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side. They conspire against me and plot to take my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/64-2.htm">Psalm 64:2-6</a></span><br />Hide me from the scheming of the wicked, from the mob of workers of iniquity, / who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows, / ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/140-1.htm">Psalm 140:1-5</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence, / who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long. / They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-9.htm">Psalm 10:9-10</a></span><br />He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net. / They are crushed and beaten down; the helpless fall prey to his strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/35-4.htm">Psalm 35:4</a></span><br />May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plan to harm me be driven back and confounded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/41-7.htm">Psalm 41:7</a></span><br />All who hate me whisper against me; they imagine the worst for me:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/71-10.htm">Psalm 71:10-11</a></span><br />For my enemies speak against me, and those who lie in wait for my life conspire, / saying, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for there is no one to rescue him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-11.htm">Proverbs 1:11-12</a></span><br />If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, / let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-15.htm">Isaiah 29:15</a></span><br />Woe to those who dig deep to hide their plans from the LORD. In darkness they do their works and say, “Who sees us, and who will know?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-15.htm">Matthew 22:15</a></span><br />Then the Pharisees went out and conspired to trap Jesus in His words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/3-6.htm">Mark 3:6</a></span><br />At this, the Pharisees went out and began plotting with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-20.htm">Luke 20:20</a></span><br />So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-53.htm">John 11:53</a></span><br />So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/23-12.htm">Acts 23:12-15</a></span><br />When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.</p><p class="hdg">gather</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/2-1.htm">Psalm 2:1-3</a></b></br> Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/59-3.htm">Psalm 59:3</a></b></br> For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not <i>for</i> my transgression, nor <i>for</i> my sin, O LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/71-10.htm">Psalm 71:10</a></b></br> For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,</p><p class="hdg">jide</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/10-8.htm">Psalm 10:8-10</a></b></br> He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/64-2.htm">Psalm 64:2-6</a></b></br> Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/6-4.htm">Daniel 6:4</a></b></br> Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he <i>was</i> faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/47-9.htm">Assemble</a> <a href="/psalms/55-18.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/psalms/26-5.htm">Band</a> <a href="/psalms/31-13.htm">Conspire</a> <a href="/psalms/17-12.htm">Eager</a> <a href="/psalms/40-1.htm">Expected</a> <a href="/psalms/50-5.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/psalms/49-5.htm">Heels</a> <a href="/psalms/55-12.htm">Hide</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-26.htm">Lurk</a> <a href="/psalms/50-22.htm">Mark</a> <a href="/psalms/50-2.htm">Places</a> <a href="/psalms/55-12.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/psalms/55-18.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/psalms/44-18.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/psalms/49-14.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/psalms/55-14.htm">Together</a> <a href="/psalms/56-2.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/psalms/40-1.htm">Waited</a> <a href="/psalms/40-17.htm">Waiting</a> <a href="/psalms/39-1.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/psalms/37-32.htm">Watching</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/94-21.htm">Assemble</a> <a href="/psalms/59-3.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/psalms/64-2.htm">Band</a> <a href="/psalms/59-3.htm">Conspire</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-20.htm">Eager</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-7.htm">Expected</a> <a href="/psalms/59-3.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-22.htm">Heels</a> <a href="/psalms/64-2.htm">Hide</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-26.htm">Lurk</a> <a href="/psalms/104-19.htm">Mark</a> <a href="/psalms/64-4.htm">Places</a> <a href="/psalms/58-1.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/psalms/56-13.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/psalms/57-6.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/psalms/57-6.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/psalms/59-3.htm">Together</a> <a href="/psalms/59-3.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/psalms/106-13.htm">Waited</a> <a href="/psalms/69-3.htm">Waiting</a> <a href="/psalms/59-9.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/psalms/59-3.htm">Watching</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 56</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/56-1.htm">David, praying to God in confidence of his word, complains of his enemies,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/56-9.htm">He professes his confidence in God's word, and promises to praise him</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/56.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/56.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They conspire</b><br>This phrase highlights the intentional and malicious plotting against the psalmist, often identified as David. In the biblical context, David frequently faced conspiracies, notably from King Saul and later from his own son Absalom. The act of conspiring suggests a deliberate and secretive plan, reflecting the deceitful nature of his enemies. This mirrors the broader biblical theme of the righteous being targeted by the wicked, as seen in other scriptures like <a href="/psalms/2.htm">Psalm 2:1-2</a>, where nations conspire against the Lord and His Anointed.<p><b>they lurk</b><br>The imagery of lurking suggests a hidden, persistent threat. This can be likened to the behavior of predators, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. In ancient times, enemies often used ambush tactics, taking advantage of the terrain and the element of surprise. This phrase can also be connected to spiritual warfare, where evil forces are described as prowling like a lion (<a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a>). The lurking of enemies is a reminder of the constant vigilance required by the faithful.<p><b>they watch my steps</b><br>This indicates a close and continuous observation, implying that the psalmist's enemies are monitoring his every move. Historically, this could refer to spies or informants who reported David's movements to Saul. The phrase underscores the vulnerability and pressure of being under constant surveillance. Biblically, it reflects the idea that the righteous are often scrutinized by the wicked, as seen in <a href="/job/13-27.htm">Job 13:27</a>, where Job laments being watched by God in a similar manner.<p><b>while they wait to take my life</b><br>The ultimate goal of the psalmist's enemies is revealed here: to take his life. This reflects the severity of the threat and the desperation of the situation. In David's life, this was a literal threat, as Saul sought to kill him. Theologically, this can be seen as a type of Christ, who also faced plots against His life (<a href="/john/11-53.htm">John 11:53</a>). The phrase emphasizes the mortal danger faced by the psalmist and the need for divine intervention and protection.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of the psalm, who is expressing his distress and seeking God's protection from his enemies.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies.htm">Enemies</a></b><br>The adversaries of David, who are plotting against him and seeking to harm him.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a></b><br>The historical context of this psalm is believed to be when David was captured by the Philistines in Gath, as noted in the title of the psalm.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/gath.htm">Gath</a></b><br>A Philistine city where David sought refuge but found himself in danger.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate protector and deliverer whom David trusts amidst his trials.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_protection.htm">Trust in God's Protection</a></b><br>Despite the schemes of enemies, believers can trust in God's sovereign protection.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/awareness_of_spiritual_warfare.htm">Awareness of Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>Just as David faced physical enemies, Christians face spiritual adversaries and must remain vigilant.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_as_a_weapon.htm">Prayer as a Weapon</a></b><br>David's response to his enemies was to turn to God in prayer, setting an example for believers to follow.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omniscience.htm">God's Omniscience</a></b><br>God is aware of the plots against His people and is actively involved in their defense.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_over_fear.htm">Faith Over Fear</a></b><br>David's faith in God overcame his fear of his enemies, teaching believers to prioritize faith over fear.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_56.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 56</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_paranoia.htm">What does the Bible say about paranoia?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_christian_family.htm">What defines a Christian family?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_tragedies_occur_if_god_watches_us.htm">Psalm 121:8 - If God is watching over our coming and going 'now and forever,' why do global tragedies and apparent divine absences exist throughout history?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_one_be_righteous_(rom_3_10_vs._lk_1_5-6).htm">Can a person be righteous? (Romans 3:10 vs. Luke 1:5-6)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/56.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) <span class= "bld">They hide themselves.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">they set spies.</span><p><span class= "bld">Mark my steps.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">watch my heels. </span>(See <a href="/psalms/49-5.htm" title="Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?">Psalm 49:5</a>; <a href="/psalms/89-51.htm" title="With which your enemies have reproached, O LORD; with which they have reproached the footsteps of your anointed.">Psalm 89:51</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/56.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They gather themselves together, they hide themselves;</span> or, "they gather themselves together; <span class="accented">they set an ambush." <span class="cmt_word"></span>They mark my steps, when they wait for my soul;</span> literally, <span class="accented">they, even they, mark my steps; i.e.</span> they themselves, grand as they are, condescend to be spies, and track my footsteps. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/56-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They conspire,</span><br /><span class="heb">יָג֤וּרוּ ׀</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḡū·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1481.htm">Strong's 1481: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostility</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they lurk,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִצְפּ֗וֹנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiṣ·pō·w·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6845.htm">Strong's 6845: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hide, to hoard, reserve, to deny, to protect, to lurk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֭מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(hêm·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">watch</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׁמֹ֑רוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·mō·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my steps,</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲקֵבַ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·qê·ḇay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6119.htm">Strong's 6119: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heel, footprint, hind part</span><br /><br /><span class="word">while</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּ֝אֲשֶׁ֗ר</span> <span class="translit">(ka·’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they wait</span><br /><span class="heb">קִוּ֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(qiw·wū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6960.htm">Strong's 6960: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bind together, collect, to expect</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to take my life.</span><br /><span class="heb">נַפְשִֽׁי׃</span> <span class="translit">(nap̄·šî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/56-6.htm">Psalm 56:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/56-6.htm">Psalm 56:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/56-6.htm">Psalm 56:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/56-6.htm">Psalm 56:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/56-6.htm">Psalm 56:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/56-6.htm">Psalm 56:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/56-6.htm">Psalm 56:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/56-6.htm">Psalm 56:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/56-6.htm">Psalm 56:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/56-6.htm">Psalm 56:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/56-6.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 56:6 They conspire and lurk watching my steps (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/56-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 56:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 56:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/56-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 56:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 56:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>