Augustine of Hippo

"For I have heard the rebuking of many dwelling by in a circuit" [Psalm 31:13]. For I have heard many rebuking me, in the pilgrimage of this world near me, following the circuit of time, and refusing to return with me to the eternal country. "Whilst they were assembling themselves together against me, they conspired that they might take my soul." That my soul, which should by death easily escape from their power, might consent unto them, they imagined a device, whereby they would not suffer me even to die.

Exposition on Psalm 31 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, "When," he shows how he suffers persecution, and he aggravates it from the multitude of those persecuting, when he says, "When they assembled together," that is, unanimously, "against me": this would be greatly to be feared. Sir. 26: "My heart feared three things: the calumny of a city, the gathering of a mob, and a false accusation," and so on. From their cruelty, for they assembled not for something light, but to kill; hence, "They took counsel to take away my soul," that is, my life. Jer. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗