And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
And when he comes to visit me, he speaks empty, meaningless words. In his heart, he collects evil thoughts against me, and when he leaves, he spreads gossip about me.
The writer is describing how fake friends visit with hollow words while secretly gathering ammunition to gossip and spread lies about him later.
📚 Historical Context
This psalm is attributed to David, who experienced betrayal from close friends and allies throughout his reign as king. Even when David was sick or vulnerable, some visitors would come not to genuinely comfort him, but to gather information they could use against him politically. This reflects the dangerous court politics of ancient Israel where trust was rare and betrayal common.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.