Bible Strands
Psalms 59:3
See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the LORD directly, reporting a current threat from fierce men who are actively lying in wait and conspiring against him.
The words — אָֽרְב֡וּ ('a.re.Vu) translates literally as "they lie in wait," describing the ambush posture of the attackers. לֹא־ (lo'-) negates the accusation, emphasizing that the conspiracy lacks any basis in the speaker's transgression or sin.
The thread — The motif of enemies lying in wait and watching steps appears in Psalms 56:6, while unprovoked hostility is noted in Psalms 69:4 where enemies seek destruction without cause. 1 Samuel 24:11 parallels this pattern of pursuit by having the speaker present physical proof of his non-aggression to a pursuer.
Why it lands — The text demands the reader recognize the distinction between being targeted by hostile groups and being guilty of actual wrongdoing. It requires the reader to anchor their assessment of the situation in the factual absence of personal fault rather than the intensity of the opposition.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Lord.
Cross-references
- Psalms 56:6 They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.
- Psalms 69:4 Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.
- 1 Samuel 24:11 See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. Know and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life.
- Proverbs 12:6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
- John 15:25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’
- Psalms 37:32 Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,
- Micah 7:2 The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net.
- 1 Samuel 19:1 Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David,
- 1 Samuel 24:17 and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.
- 1 Samuel 26:18 And he continued, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand?