New International VersionHow long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
New Living TranslationSo 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 VersionHow long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
Berean Standard BibleHow long will you threaten a man? Will all of you throw him down like a leaning wall or a tottering fence?
King James BibleHow 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 VersionHow long will you attack a man? You shall be slain, all of you, Like a leaning wall and a tottering fence.
New American Standard BibleHow long will you attack a man, That you may murder him, all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?
NASB 1995How long will you assail a man, That you may murder him, all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?
NASB 1977How long will you assail a man, That you may murder him, all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?
Legacy Standard BibleHow long will you assail a man, That you may murder him, all of you, Like a leaning wall, like a fence thrust down?
Amplified BibleHow 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 BibleHow 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 BibleHow 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 VersionHow 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 VersionI feel like a shaky fence or a sagging wall. How long will all of you attack and assault me?
English Revised VersionHow 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® TranslationHow 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 TranslationHow much longer will all of you attack someone who is no stronger than a broken-down fence?
International Standard VersionHow long will you rage against someone? Would you attack him as if he were a leaning wall or a tottering fence?
NET BibleHow long will you threaten a man? All of you are murderers, as dangerous as a leaning wall or an unstable fence.
New Heart English BibleHow long will you assault a man, would all of you throw him down, Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?
Webster's Bible TranslationHow 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHow long will you threaten a man? Will all of you throw him down like a leaning wall or a tottering fence?
World English BibleHow 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 VersionUntil 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 TranslationHow 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 BibleHow 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 VersionHow 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 longwill you threatena man?Will allof you throw him downlike a leaningwallor a totteringfence?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 30:13this 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 18:18Then 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 7:26-27But 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 57:20-21But 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 20:10For 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 21:42-44Jesus 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 12:10-11Have 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 20:17-18But 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 2:7-8To 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 54:17No 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 6:6For 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 13:10-11Because 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 23:37O 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 4:11This 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 longwill 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 ableto perform. Psalm 38:12 They also that seek after my life lay snaresfor me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. Psalm 140:2 Which imagine mischiefs intheir heart; continually are they gathered togetherfor 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… Jump to Previous AssailAssaultBowingBreakBrokenCastDesigningDestroyedDeviseEvilFallingFenceHedgeImagineInclinedLeaningMischiefMurderPointRunningShatterSlainSlayThrowTotteringWallJump to Next AssailAssaultBowingBreakBrokenCastDesigningDestroyedDeviseEvilFallingFenceHedgeImagineInclinedLeaningMischiefMurderPointRunningShatterSlainSlayThrowTotteringWallPsalm 62 1.David, professing his confidence in God, discourages his enemies5.In the same confidence he encourages the godly9.No trust is to be put in worldly things11.Power and mercy belong to GodHow long will you threaten a man?This phrase reflects a cry of distress and a plea for justice. The psalmist, traditionally attributed to David, is expressing frustration over continuous threats and oppression. In the historical context, David often faced threats from enemies, including King Saul and later his own son Absalom. This question implies a sense of endurance and the expectation that God will eventually intervene. Biblically, this echoes the cries of other figures who faced persecution, such as Job and Jeremiah, who also questioned the duration of their suffering. It highlights the human experience of waiting on God's timing for deliverance. Will all of you throw him down
This part of the verse suggests a collective effort against an individual, indicating that the psalmist feels surrounded by adversaries. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, communal actions were significant, and conspiracies against a leader were not uncommon. This imagery can be connected to the betrayal and conspiracy against Jesus Christ, where religious leaders and the crowd sought to bring Him down. Theologically, it underscores the theme of the righteous being opposed by the wicked, a recurring motif throughout the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. like a leaning wall or a tottering fence?
The simile of a leaning wall or tottering fence conveys vulnerability and imminent collapse. In ancient architecture, walls and fences were crucial for protection, and their instability would symbolize weakness and danger. This imagery suggests that the psalmist's enemies perceive him as weak and easy to overthrow. However, it also implies that their efforts are ultimately futile, as God is the true protector. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who, despite appearing vulnerable during His earthly ministry, was upheld by God and ultimately victorious over His adversaries. The metaphor serves as a reminder of the transient nature of human strength compared to divine support. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 62, David is expressing his trust in God amidst adversity and threats from his enemies. 2. EnemiesThe unspecified adversaries who are threatening David, symbolizing those who oppose the righteous. 3. Leaning Wall / Tottering FenceMetaphors used to describe the vulnerability and instability of a person under attack or pressure. Teaching Points Trust in God's StrengthJust as David faced threats, believers today can find strength and stability in God, who is our fortress. Recognizing VulnerabilityThe imagery of a leaning wall reminds us of our own vulnerabilities and the need to rely on God's strength rather than our own. Perseverance in FaithDespite the threats and instability, maintaining faith in God is crucial. He is our rock and salvation. Spiritual WarfareRecognize that spiritual threats can come from various sources, and we must be vigilant in prayer and reliance on God. Community SupportJust as a wall needs support, believers need the support of a faith community to stand firm against adversities. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Psalm 62:3?
2.How does Psalm 62:3 describe the attacks believers face from adversaries?
3.What does "leaning wall" symbolize about human strength in Psalm 62:3?
4.How can we find stability in God when feeling like a "tottering fence"?
5.Which New Testament passages echo the themes of reliance found in Psalm 62:3?
6.How can Psalm 62:3 encourage you during times of personal spiritual attack?
7.What historical context surrounds Psalm 62:3 and its message of human frailty?
8.How does Psalm 62:3 challenge our understanding of human strength and stability?
9.What archaeological evidence supports the historical setting of Psalm 62?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 62?
11.In Psalm 62, why is there still rampant injustice (verses 3, 9–10) if God truly is the believer’s secure refuge?
12.In Psalm 103:8-10, God is portrayed as merciful--how do we reconcile this with Old Testament accounts of severe divine judgment?
13.In Psalm 62:1-2, how can the promise of complete safety in God be reconciled with the reality of suffering and death among believers?
14.How do we reconcile Psalm 83:4's call to wipe out Israel with God's promises of protection in other passages like Genesis 12:3?What Does Psalm 62:3 Mean How long will you threaten a man?• David opens with a heartfelt protest against relentless harassment. His question assumes the persecutors know what they’re doing yet keep at it;Psalm 4:2 shows a similar plea when he asks, “How long will you love delusion and seek falsehood?” • The tone recognizes the value of every human life—“a man” is not an expendable target but someone created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). • Repetition of “How long” in the Psalms (13:1; 35:17) teaches that believers may honestly voice impatience while still trusting God’s perfect timing. • David’s own story illustrates this ongoing pressure: Saul hunted him again and again (1 Samuel 23:14), yet God preserved him each time.
Will all of you throw him down?• The threat is collective; “all of you” pictures a mob mentality.Psalm 3:1 echoes it: “How many rise up against me!” • To “throw him down” hints at removing David from his God-given position. Verse 4 develops this, noting they “take delight in lies; they bless with their mouths, but in their hearts they curse.” Similar schemes appear inPsalm 31:13, “They conspire against me and plot to take my life.” • This reminds us that opposition can feel overwhelming, yet the Lord remains the believer’s defense (Psalm 27:1). • Jesus experienced the ultimate conspiracy (Mark 14:55), fulfillingPsalm 62’s theme and proving God brings victory out of plotting.
Like a leaning wall or a tottering fence?• The enemies judge David to be already unstable, as if one push will finish him.Isaiah 30:13 compares sin’s consequences to “a bulge in a high wall, whose collapse comes suddenly.” • From the outside David may look fragile—running, hiding, weary—but his real foundation is the Rock of his salvation (Psalm 62:2).Job 13:28 speaks of man as “a decaying thing,” yet the Lord delights to uphold the weak (2 Corinthians 12:9). • The image also warns us not to trust appearances. God often allows vulnerability so His strength is unmistakable (Psalm 20:7). • Therefore, when others consider us “leaning walls,” we stand firm by anchoring to the unshakable word of God (Matthew 7:24).
summaryPsalm 62:3 captures the believer’s experience of persistent, united hostility. David’s foes see him as easy prey—a wall ready to collapse—yet their assessment ignores the unseen support of the Lord. The verse calls us to acknowledge real threats, lament their duration, and remember that human weakness under God’s protection is stronger than any crowd bent on destruction. Confidence rests not in personal stability but in the steadfast God who never fails. (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 stormor 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 verbpassive,the Babylonian,active.The latter is supported by the ancient versions. The primary meaning is givento 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 area 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 longעַד־(‘aḏ-)Preposition
Strong's 5704:As far as, even to, up to, until, whilewill you threatenתְּהֽוֹתְת֣וּ(tə·hō·wṯ·ṯū)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 2050:To break in upon, to assaila man?אִישׁ֮(’îš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male personWill allכֻ֫לְּכֶ֥ם(ḵul·lə·ḵem)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyof you throw him downתְּרָצְּח֪וּ(tə·rāṣ·ṣə·ḥū)Verb - Pual - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7523:To dash in pieces, kill, to murderlike a leaningנָט֑וּי(nā·ṭui)Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 5186:To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bendwallכְּקִ֥יר(kə·qîr)Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7023:A wallor a totteringהַדְּחוּיָֽה׃(had·də·ḥū·yāh)Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular
Strong's 1760:To push, thrustfence?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.) |
