Psalms 31:13 Meaning and Explanation
“For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist has heard slander from many and knows that enemies are plotting together to kill him.
The Context of Psalms 31:13
Revealing that the psalmist's distress is due to organized plots and slander from enemies.
What Does Psalms 31:13 Mean?
The speaker's suffering is not merely the result of misfortune but of active malice. He has heard slander—false and damaging speech about him—from many people. The phrase 'fear was on every side' conveys a sense of being surrounded and trapped, with danger approaching from every direction. The psalmist is not paranoid but acutely aware of real threats. His awareness of the conspiracy against him makes his earlier plea for deliverance even more urgent and understandable.
The fact that enemies have 'took counsel together' indicates organized opposition. They are not acting randomly but with deliberate intention to 'take away my life.' The speaker is in genuine danger, not merely suffering embarrassment or loss but facing a plot against his very existence. This explains why he turns to God so urgently—human resources and human justice offer no protection against organized conspiracy. Only divine intervention can save him from those who have united against him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 31:13
What does Psalms 31:13 mean?
The psalmist has heard slander from many and knows that enemies are plotting together to kill him.
What is the context of Psalms 31:13?
Revealing that the psalmist's distress is due to organized plots and slander from enemies.