Psalms 56:5
Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַ֭יּוֹם
Every day
H3117
הַ֭יּוֹם
Every day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 8
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
דְּבָרַ֣י
my words
H1697
דְּבָרַ֣י
my words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
3 of 8
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְעַצֵּ֑בוּ
they wrest
H6087
יְעַצֵּ֑בוּ
they wrest
Strong's:
H6087
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, to carve, i.e., fabricate or fashion
עָלַ֖י
H5921
עָלַ֖י
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Matthew 22:15Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.Luke 11:54Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.Psalms 41:7All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.2 Peter 3:16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.1 Samuel 18:21And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.John 2:19Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.1 Samuel 18:17And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.Jeremiah 18:18Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.Matthew 26:61And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.1 Samuel 18:29And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually.
Historical Context
David's words were constantly misconstrued, whether by Saul who viewed him as a threat or by Philistines who suspected his loyalty. This psalm shows how the righteous suffer not only physical persecution but assault on their character and motives.
Questions for Reflection
- How should you respond when your words and motives are persistently misrepresented?
- What does Christ's silent endurance of false accusation teach about responding to slander?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Enemies' continual twisting of David's words ('wrest my words') reveals the weapon of slander. The Hebrew 'atsab' (pain/grieve) shows how verbal assault injures. All their thoughts being 'against me for evil' indicates comprehensive hostility, prefiguring Christ who faced constant opposition seeking grounds for accusation (Matthew 22:15).