Psalm 62:3
New International Version
How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

New Living Translation
So many enemies against one man— all of them trying to kill me. To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence.

English Standard Version
How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

Berean Standard Bible
How long will you threaten a man? Will all of you throw him down like a leaning wall or a tottering fence?

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
How long will you attack a man? You shall be slain, all of you, Like a leaning wall and a tottering fence.

New American Standard Bible
How long will you attack a man, That you may murder him, all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?

NASB 1995
How long will you assail a man, That you may murder him, all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?

NASB 1977
How long will you assail a man, That you may murder him, all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?

Legacy Standard Bible
How long will you assail a man, That you may murder him, all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a fence thrust down?

Amplified Bible
How long will you attack a man So that you may murder him, all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?

Christian Standard Bible
How long will you threaten a man? Will all of you attack as if he were a leaning wall or a tottering fence?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
How long will you threaten a man? Will all of you attack as if he were a leaning wall or a tottering stone fence?

American Standard Version
How long will ye set upon a man, That ye may slay him, all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?

Contemporary English Version
I feel like a shaky fence or a sagging wall. How long will all of you attack and assault me?

English Revised Version
How long will ye set upon a man, that ye may slay him, all of you, like a bowing wall, like a tottering fence?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
How long will all of you attack a person? How long will you try to murder him, as though he were a leaning wall or a sagging fence?

Good News Translation
How much longer will all of you attack someone who is no stronger than a broken-down fence?

International Standard Version
How long will you rage against someone? Would you attack him as if he were a leaning wall or a tottering fence?

Majority Standard Bible
How long will you threaten a man? Will all of you throw him down like a leaning wall or a tottering fence?

NET Bible
How long will you threaten a man? All of you are murderers, as dangerous as a leaning wall or an unstable fence.

New Heart English Bible
How long will you assault a man, would all of you throw him down, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down, like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Until when do you devise mischief against a man? All of you are destroyed, "" As a wall inclined, a hedge that is cast down.

Young's Literal Translation
Till when do ye devise mischief against a man? Ye are destroyed all of you, As a wall inclined, a hedge that is cast down.

Smith's Literal Translation
How long will ye set upon a man? ye will kill all of you: as a wall inclining, a wall thrust down.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
How long do you rush in upon a man? you all kill, as if you were thrusting down a leaning wall, and a tottering fence.

Catholic Public Domain Version
How is it that you rush against a man? Every one of you puts to death, as if you were pulling down a ruined wall, leaning over and falling apart.

New American Bible
How long will you set yourself against a man? You shall all be destroyed, Like a sagging wall or a tumbled down fence!

New Revised Standard Version
How long will you assail a person, will you batter your victim, all of you, as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
How long will you threaten a man so that you may kill him? Like a crumbling wall shall you be and as a tottering fence.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
How long will you be provoked by a man that you would kill, like a fallen wall or like an abandoned hedge?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
How long will ye set upon a man, That ye may slay him, all of you, As a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
How long will ye assault a man? ye are all slaughtering as with a bowed wall and a broken hedge.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Waiting on God
2He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress; I will never be shaken. 3How long will you threaten a man? Will all of you throw him down like a leaning wall or a tottering fence? 4They fully intend to cast him down from his lofty perch; they delight in lies; with their mouths they bless, but inwardly they curse. Selah…

Cross References
Isaiah 30:13
this iniquity of yours is like a breach about to fail, a bulge in a high wall, whose collapse will come suddenly—in an instant!

Jeremiah 18:18
Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”

Matthew 7:26-27
But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!”

Job 19:2-3
“How long will you torment me and crush me with your words? / Ten times now you have reproached me; you shamelessly mistreat me.

Isaiah 57:20-21
But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck. / “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

Jeremiah 20:10
For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.”

Matthew 21:42-44
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? / Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. / He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”

Mark 12:10-11
Have you never read this Scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. / This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

Luke 20:17-18
But Jesus looked directly at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? / Everyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”

1 Peter 2:7-8
To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” / and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 6:6
For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Cut down the trees and raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; there is nothing but oppression in her midst.

Ezekiel 13:10-11
Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and whitewashing any flimsy wall that is built, / tell those whitewashing the wall that it will fall. Rain will come in torrents, I will send hailstones plunging down, and a windstorm will burst forth.

Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Acts 4:11
This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’


Treasury of Scripture

How long will you imagine mischief against a man? you shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall you be, and as a tottering fence.

How

Psalm 4:2
O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.

Psalm 82:2
How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

Exodus 10:3
And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

imagine

Psalm 21:11
For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.

Psalm 38:12
They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.

Psalm 140:2
Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.

ye shall

Psalm 73:18-20
Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction…

1 Samuel 26:10
David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.

bowing

Isaiah 30:13,14
Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant…

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Assail Assault Bowing Break Broken Cast Designing Destroyed Devise Evil Falling Fence Hedge Imagine Inclined Leaning Mischief Murder Point Running Shatter Slain Slay Throw Tottering Wall
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Psalm 62
1. David, professing his confidence in God, discourages his enemies
5. In the same confidence he encourages the godly
9. No trust is to be put in worldly things
11. Power and mercy belong to God














How long
This phrase reflects a cry of exasperation and urgency. In the Hebrew text, the word "ad" is used, which conveys a sense of duration or continuance. The psalmist is expressing a deep frustration with the ongoing nature of his trials. Historically, this reflects the common human experience of enduring prolonged suffering or injustice. It is a call to God, questioning the length of time that the wicked will be allowed to prevail. This phrase invites believers to bring their honest emotions before God, trusting in His perfect timing.

will you threaten a man?
The word "threaten" here is translated from the Hebrew word "tahath," which can also mean to attack or assail. This suggests a sense of being under siege or constant pressure. The "man" in this context is often interpreted as David himself, or more broadly, any righteous individual facing persecution. This phrase highlights the reality of spiritual warfare and the opposition believers may face from those who oppose God's ways. It serves as a reminder that God is aware of the threats against His people and is their ultimate protector.

All of you
This phrase indicates that the psalmist is addressing a group, likely his adversaries. The collective nature of this phrase suggests a widespread conspiracy or concerted effort against the righteous. It underscores the feeling of being outnumbered or overwhelmed by opposition. In a broader sense, it can be seen as a reflection of the spiritual forces that align against God's people, reminding believers of the need for unity and reliance on God in the face of collective adversity.

would throw him down
The imagery here is of a violent overthrow, akin to toppling a structure. The Hebrew word "natath" conveys the idea of casting down or demolishing. This reflects the intent of the psalmist's enemies to completely destroy his standing or reputation. Historically, this can be seen in the context of David's life, where he faced numerous attempts to undermine his kingship. For believers, it serves as a metaphor for the spiritual attacks that seek to destabilize their faith and trust in God.

like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
This simile paints a vivid picture of vulnerability and instability. The "leaning wall" and "tottering fence" suggest something that is on the verge of collapse, easily pushed over by external forces. In the Hebrew context, walls and fences were crucial for protection and security, so their instability signifies a dire situation. This imagery encourages believers to recognize their own weaknesses and the futility of relying on human strength alone. It points to the necessity of finding stability and security in God, who is the true fortress and refuge.

(3) Imagine mischief.--This is the Rabbinical rendering of a word that occurs only here. The LXX. have "fall upon"; Vulg., "rush upon," a meaning supported by an Arabic root meaning to storm or assault, and is so far preferable to Aquila's and Jerome's "plot against," and Symmachus' "labour in vain," or Syriac, "act foolishly."

Ye shall be slain.--The reading varies, the Tiberian school reading the verb passive, the Babylonian, active. The latter is supported by the ancient versions. The primary meaning is given to break, and we get:

How long will ye assault a man?

(How long) will ye try to break him down,

As if he were a bowing wall, a tottering fence.

The metaphor of the falling wall is common in Eastern proverbs. "The wall is bowing," is said of a man at the point of death. "By the oppression of the headman, the people of that village are a ruined wall."

Verse 3. - How long will ye imagine mischief agaiust a man? rather, How long will ye assault (or, set upon) a man? Attack him, that is - seek to do him grievous hurt, as ye are attacking me. Ye shall be slain all of you; rather, that ye may crush him, all of you together. The hope of the conspirators under Absalom was in their united strength. As a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence. The words supplied in the Authorized Version should be omitted. It is David who is viewed by his enemies as a bulged wall (see Isaiah 30:15) or a tottering fence, which it requires only a strong push to throw down.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
How long
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

will you threaten
תְּהֽוֹתְת֣וּ (tə·hō·wṯ·ṯū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 2050: To break in upon, to assail

a man?
אִישׁ֮ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

Will all
כֻ֫לְּכֶ֥ם (ḵul·lə·ḵem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

of you throw him down
תְּרָצְּח֪וּ (tə·rāṣ·ṣə·ḥū)
Verb - Pual - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7523: To dash in pieces, kill, to murder

like a leaning
נָט֑וּי (nā·ṭui)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

wall
כְּקִ֥יר (kə·qîr)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7023: A wall

or a tottering
הַדְּחוּיָֽה׃ (had·də·ḥū·yāh)
Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular
Strong's 1760: To push, thrust

fence?
גָּ֝דֵ֗ר (gā·ḏêr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1447: A circumvallation, an inclosure


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OT Poetry: Psalm 62:3 How long will you assault a man (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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