Psalms 62:3 Meaning and Explanation
“How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist questions the enemies' persistence in plotting harm and warns of their inevitable downfall.
The Context of Psalms 62:3
The psalmist challenges the enemies' sustained opposition and proclaims their destined destruction.
What Does Psalms 62:3 Mean?
The opening rhetorical question—'How long will ye imagine mischief?'—expresses weary impatience with those who scheme against the faithful. The verb 'imagine' suggests deliberate plotting and sustained hostile intention. The psalmist addresses the enemies directly, as if to expose the futility of their designs and call them to account for their rebellion.
The judgment announced—'ye shall be slain all of you'—is God's verdict. The similes of a bowing wall and tottering fence picture structures compromised and on the verge of collapse. Just as flawed architecture falls under its own weight, the enemies' malice and corruption will lead to their ruin. Instability and eventual failure are their destiny.
Psalms 62:3 in the Original Language
machashbeth (מַחֲשָׁבֶת), 'imagined' — to plot, devise, or calculate with intent.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 62:3
What does Psalms 62:3 mean?
The psalmist questions the enemies' persistence in plotting harm and warns of their inevitable downfall.
What is the context of Psalms 62:3?
The psalmist challenges the enemies' sustained opposition and proclaims their destined destruction.