Psalms 56:5

KJV

Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts [are] against me for evil.

KJV (with Strong's)

Every day {H3117} they wrest {H6087}{H8762)} my words {H1697}: all their thoughts {H4284} are against me for evil {H7451}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All day long they twist my words; their only thought is to harm me.

Berean Standard Bible

All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.

American Standard Version

All the day long they wrest my words: All their thoughts are against me for evil.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 56:5 captures David's profound anguish and sense of injustice as he recounts the relentless and malicious opposition he faced. This verse vividly portrays his enemies' continuous efforts to distort his words and intentions, highlighting their deep-seated, premeditated evil aimed at his downfall. It underscores the psychological torment of being slandered and misrepresented, revealing a battle not only for physical survival but also for reputation and truth in the face of calculated wickedness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 56 is a "Michtam of David," a type of psalm often associated with a golden or enduring quality, suggesting its profound spiritual significance and David's enduring trust in God despite dire circumstances. The preceding verses (Psalm 56:1-4) establish David's desperate plea for mercy and his awareness of being constantly pursued and attacked by his enemies. He describes them as "swallowing him up" and "trampling him," emphasizing the overwhelming nature of their assault. Verse 5 specifically shifts the focus from physical pursuit to the insidious nature of verbal and intellectual warfare, where his very words and thoughts are twisted against him. The psalm then moves into declarations of trust and confidence in God's word and deliverance, culminating in a vow of praise, demonstrating David's faith amidst profound distress.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This psalm is traditionally linked to the period when David fled from King Saul and sought refuge in Gath, among the Philistines (as recounted in [1 Samuel 21:10-15](/1_samuel/21-10 "1 Samuel 21:10-15 - David's Flight to Gath")). This was a time of extreme vulnerability for David. He was a fugitive from his own king, forced to seek asylum among Israel's traditional enemies. The Philistines, recognizing him as the slayer of Goliath and a celebrated warrior, viewed him with suspicion and hostility. In this precarious situation, David was not only in physical danger but also subjected to intense scrutiny and likely propaganda. His words, actions, and intentions would have been meticulously observed and easily misrepresented by those seeking to justify their animosity or to gain political advantage, whether by Saul's agents or the Philistines themselves.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 56:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **persecution of the righteous**, where those who seek to follow God often face unjust opposition and slander from the unrighteous. The verse highlights the insidious nature of **slander and misrepresentation**, emphasizing how words can be weaponized to undermine character and reputation. It also speaks to the theme of **malicious intent**, revealing that the enemies' actions are not born of misunderstanding but of deep-seated, premeditated evil. Furthermore, the "every day" aspect underscores the **relentless opposition** faced by the faithful, a constant psychological and spiritual assault that necessitates profound reliance on God, as David expresses in [Psalm 56:3-4](/psalms/56-3 "Psalm 56:3-4 - David's Declaration of Trust"). This constant pressure ultimately drives the psalmist to greater trust in divine justice and protection.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wrest (Hebrew, _'atsab'_):** The Hebrew verb עָצַב (_'atsab'_) carries a range of meanings including to grieve, to pain, to vex, or to fashion/shape. In this context, it denotes a deliberate act of twisting, distorting, or perverting words with malicious intent. It implies that David's enemies were not merely misunderstanding him, but actively contriving and molding his statements into something harmful or evil. This suggests a calculated manipulation of truth, aiming to inflict damage on his character and standing.
* **Thoughts (Hebrew, _machashavah'_):** The Hebrew noun מַחֲשָׁבָה (_machashavah'_) refers to a thought, device, design, or purpose. It signifies a carefully considered plan or scheme, rather than an impulsive reaction. When the text states "all their thoughts are against me for evil," it underscores the premeditated and intentional nature of their malice. Their opposition was not accidental or a result of differing opinions, but a deliberate, well-conceived plot designed to bring about David's downfall, reflecting the deep-seated wickedness that can reside in the human heart, as described in [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitfulness of the Heart").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Every day they wrest my words":** This clause emphasizes the persistent and continuous nature of the opposition David faced. "Every day" highlights the relentless psychological and reputational assault. The act of "wresting" or twisting his words signifies a deliberate distortion of his statements, actions, or intentions, not out of misunderstanding, but out of a calculated desire to misrepresent and discredit him. This suggests a form of character assassination through slander and false accusation.
* **"all their thoughts [are] against me for evil":** This second clause reveals the underlying motive and deep-seated intent behind the enemies' actions. Their "thoughts" (premeditated designs or plans) were entirely directed "against" David, with the explicit purpose of "evil." This signifies a profound malevolence, indicating that their opposition was not a matter of political disagreement or personal rivalry alone, but a deliberate design to inflict harm, ruin, or even death upon him. It exposes the wicked heart behind the outward actions.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 56:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey David's plight. The phrase "Every day" is a powerful use of **Hyperbole** and **Emphasis**, underscoring the relentless and unceasing nature of the persecution, suggesting a constant, oppressive burden rather than isolated incidents. The act of "wresting" words is a vivid **Metaphor** for the distortion of truth, painting a picture of words being physically twisted out of shape, mirroring the moral perversion of the enemies' intentions. The parallelism between "wrest my words" and "all their thoughts are against me for evil" creates a strong **Juxtaposition** between outward action (twisting words) and inward motivation (evil thoughts), highlighting the deliberate and malicious intent behind the slander. This structure also serves as a form of **Exposition**, revealing the depth of the enemies' depravity and the psalmist's profound understanding of their true nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 56:5 resonates deeply with the biblical theme of the righteous suffering at the hands of the wicked, often through verbal abuse and false accusations. It underscores the reality that spiritual conflict frequently manifests in attempts to discredit and destroy through slander and misrepresentation. The verse highlights God's awareness of such injustices, even when human systems fail to provide redress. It calls believers to trust in God's ultimate vindication and justice, knowing that He sees the true intentions of the heart. David's experience serves as a powerful reminder that integrity and truth are vital, even when surrounded by deceit, and that our ultimate defense rests with the Lord who knows all things.

* [Psalm 109:2-3](/psalms/109-2 "Malicious Lies Against the Psalmist")
* [Proverbs 6:16-19](/proverbs/6-16 "Things the Lord Hates, including False Witness")
* [Matthew 5:11-12](/matthew/5-11 "Blessed are the Persecuted")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world saturated with information and prone to rapid judgment, Psalm 56:5 offers a timeless mirror for contemporary believers. We often find ourselves in situations where our words are taken out of context, our motives questioned, and our character attacked, whether in personal relationships, professional settings, or the broader public square. This verse reminds us that such experiences are not new; they are part of the human condition and, particularly, the experience of those who seek to live righteously in a fallen world. It calls us to cultivate resilience, to guard our hearts against bitterness, and to remember that our ultimate vindication comes from God, who sees and knows the truth. Rather than retaliating in kind, we are invited to emulate David's trust, placing our confidence in God's faithfulness and justice. Maintaining integrity in our speech and actions becomes paramount, not as a means to earn human approval, but as an expression of our devotion to the God of truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I respond when my words are twisted or my motives are misunderstood by others?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to "wrest" someone else's words or harbor evil thoughts against them?**
* **How does David's trust in God amidst slander encourage me to rely more fully on Him when facing similar opposition?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for enemies to "wrest my words"?**

Answer: To "wrest" words means to deliberately twist, distort, or pervert them from their original meaning or intent. It's not a misunderstanding, but a calculated act of misrepresentation, often for malicious purposes like slandering someone's character, undermining their reputation, or creating false accusations. In David's case, his enemies were actively manipulating what he said or did to make it appear evil or traitorous, even when it was not. This is a form of verbal assault aimed at destroying credibility and trust.

**How does this verse relate to the broader theme of persecution in the Bible?**

Answer: This verse is a prime example of the theme of persecution, particularly the psychological and reputational aspects of it. Throughout the Bible, righteous individuals, prophets, and ultimately Jesus Himself, faced intense opposition that often involved false witness and the twisting of their words. It shows that persecution isn't always physical; it can be deeply insidious, targeting one's character and public standing. This theme is echoed in passages like [Matthew 5:11](/matthew/5-11 "Matthew 5:11 - Blessed are the Persecuted") where Jesus speaks of being reviled and falsely accused, and in the experiences of the apostles who were constantly slandered for their message (e.g., [Acts 17:6](/acts/17-6 "Acts 17:6 - Accusations Against Paul and Silas")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 56:5 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently faced the very type of malicious opposition described by David. His words were routinely "wrested" by the religious leaders and His enemies, who sought to trap Him in His speech and twist His teachings into accusations of blasphemy or sedition. For instance, they distorted His statement about destroying and rebuilding the temple (compare [John 2:19](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus' Prophecy of the Temple") with [Matthew 26:61](/matthew/26-61 "Matthew 26:61 - False Witness Against Jesus")), and they twisted His claims of divine authority into charges worthy of death (as seen in [Mark 14:56-59](/mark/14-56 "Mark 14:56-59 - False Testimony Against Jesus")). Their "thoughts were against Him for evil," culminating in the premeditated plot to crucify Him, an act driven by deep-seated malice rather than genuine justice (e.g., [John 11:47-53](/john/11-47 "John 11:47-53 - The Plot to Kill Jesus")). Unlike David, who cried out for deliverance, Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God (as proclaimed in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), silently endured this slander and injustice, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice. His suffering, including the twisting of His words and the evil thoughts of His persecutors, was not for His own sin, but for ours, fulfilling the prophecy of the suffering servant who was "oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth" ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant")). Ultimately, while David sought vindication, Christ's vindication came through His resurrection and exaltation, demonstrating God's triumph over all evil and injustice ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 11:54

Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

Matthew 22:15

¶ Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in [his] talk.

Isaiah 29:20

For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:

Isaiah 29:21

That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought.

Psalms 41:7

All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.

2 Peter 3:16

As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

1 Samuel 18:21

And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in [the one of] the twain.