Psalms 27:2
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
Original Language Analysis
בִּקְרֹ֤ב
came
H7126
בִּקְרֹ֤ב
came
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
1 of 12
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
עָלַ֨י׀
H5921
עָלַ֨י׀
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מְרֵעִים֮
When the wicked
H7489
מְרֵעִים֮
When the wicked
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּשָׂ֫רִ֥י
my flesh
H1320
בְּשָׂ֫רִ֥י
my flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
6 of 12
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
Cross References
Psalms 118:12They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.Isaiah 8:15And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.Psalms 9:3When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.Psalms 14:4Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.Job 19:22Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?Psalms 3:7Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.Psalms 22:16For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.Psalms 18:4The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.Job 31:31If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.
Historical Context
David faced literal enemies seeking his death—Saul, Absalom, foreign nations. The language of 'eating flesh' was common ancient Near Eastern warfare rhetoric, depicting enemies' desire to utterly destroy their victims. God's supernatural intervention repeatedly saved David.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's pattern of defeating past enemies give confidence for present threats?
- What 'enemies' in your life need to stumble and fall by God's sovereign intervention?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When enemies came 'to eat up my flesh,' they 'stumbled and fell.' The imagery of cannibalistic enemies depicts their voracious hatred, yet God overthrows them. Reformed theology sees divine sovereignty in providence: God orchestrates enemy defeat, turning their own schemes against them. The past tense ('stumbled and fell') expresses prophetic certainty—what God has decreed is as good as accomplished. Faith speaks of future deliverance as past fact because God's promises are utterly reliable.