Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof. "It is not a siege or blockade that is described; and the persons spoken of are not foreign, but native enemies. These are compared to watchmen on the walls; only, instead of keeping watch against the enemy, they 'watch for iniquity' "(Cheyne).
Mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it; rather, iniquity also and trouble. Compare the "violence and strife" of Psalms 55:9. Society is disorganized. It is not only that wickedness prevails, but throughout the city there is violence and contention.