Psalms 31:13For I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side, while they conspire together against me, they plot to take away my life.
The setting
Multiple locations across Israel, ~1000-999 BC. David's network of informants brings news: Saul's officials are spreading lies, offering rewards for David's capture, and plotting ambushes at water sources.
The emotion here: hypervigilant and exhausted from constant threat assessment
The original word
dibbāh (דִּבָּה) — malicious whispers, deliberate slander designed to destroy reputation
Why it matters
Ancient warfare often began with character assassination—destroying someone's reputation made killing them socially acceptable
Read with care
What most readers miss in Psalms 31:13
This isn't paranoia—David had actual intelligence networks reporting real assassination plots
Common misconceptionModern readers assume David is being dramatic or paranoid, but archaeological evidence shows Saul really did mobilize the entire kingdom's resources to hunt one man for years.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Psalms 31:13
Bible Genome reading
Psalms 31:13 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Psalms 31:13 comes from the book of Psalms, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is anxious, with a comfort power of 70% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the psalm genre of biblical literature. Key themes include persecution, enemies, death threats. Notable phrases: slander of many; terror on every side; plot to take away my life. This verse is a prayer.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same anxious
“And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:14
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
— 2 Timothy 3:12
“The evil spirit answered, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?"”
— Acts 19:15
“I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'”
— Acts 22:7
“When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is har…”
— Acts 26:14
Your reflection
What does Psalms 31:13 mean to you, today?
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