Psalms64

English Standard Version

TranslationKJV WEB ASV ESV NIV NASB NKJV NLT

¹To the . A of . my , O , in my ; my from of the .

² me from the of the , from the of ,

³ their like , who like ,

⁴ from at the , at him and .

⁵They to their ; they of , , can them?

⁶They , saying, We have a . For the and of a are .

⁷But his at them; they are .

⁸They are brought to , with their own turned them; who them will wag their .

⁹Then ; they what has and what he has .

¹⁰Let the one in the Lord and in him! Let the in !

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 64.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Prayer for deliverance. (1–6). The destruction of the wicked, encouragement to the righteous. (7–10).

vv1-6

The psalmist earnestly begs of God to preserve him from disquieting fear. The tongue is a little member, but it boasts great things. The upright man is the mark at which the wicked aim, they cannot speak peaceably either of him or to him. There is no guard against a false tongue. It is bad to do wrong, but worse to encourage ourselves and one another in it. It is a sign that the heart is hardened to the greatest degree, when it is thus fully set to do evil. A practical disbelief of God's knowledge of all things, is at the bottom of every wickedness. The benefit of a good cause and a good conscience, appears most when nothing can help a man against his enemies, save God alone, who is always a present help.

vv7-10

When God brings upon men the mischiefs they have desired on others, it is weight enough to sink a man to the lowest hell. Those who love cursing, it shall come upon them. Those who behold this shall understand, and observe God's hand in all; unless we do so, we are not likely to profit by the dispensations of Providence. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord; not glad of the misery and ruin of their fellow-creatures, but glad that God is glorified, and his word fulfilled, and the cause of injured innocence pleaded effectually. They rejoice not in men, nor in themselves, nor in any creature, or creature enjoyments, nor in their wisdom, strength, riches, or righteousness; but in Christ, in whom all the seed of Israel are justified and glory, and in what he is to them, and has done for them.

Key Words

choirmasterH5329Hebrew

נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent

PsalmH4210Hebrew

מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes

DavidH1732Hebrew

דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse

HearH8085Hebrew

שָׁמַע: to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

voiceH6963Hebrew

קוֹל: a voice or sound

GodH430Hebrew

אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative

complaintH7879Hebrew

שִׂיחַ: a contemplation; by implication, an utterance

preserveH5341Hebrew

נָצַר: to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)

lifeH2416Hebrew

חַי: alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively

dreadH6343Hebrew

פַּחַד: a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)