Psalms64
King James Version · Public Domain
1 Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
6 They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.
7 But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
9 And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
10 The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
Study
Psalms 64Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 64. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
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
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
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
שָׁמַע: to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
קוֹל: a voice or sound
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
שִׂיחַ: a contemplation; by implication, an utterance
נָצַר: to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
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
פַּחַד: a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)
Cross References
Psalms 64Uses the identical figure of the tongue and words as sharp swords or arrows.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the image of bending bows to shoot arrows, specifically linked by the commentators.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The mischief of their own lips and tongues falling back upon themselves.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the righteous rejoicing and being glad in God's vindictive judgments.
Supported by JFB
God hiding the upright in His presence from the secret plots and pride of man.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The wicked say in their heart that God forgets and will not see.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The wicked is snared by the transgression of his own lips.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Another closely parallel psalm depicting words as swords from the mouth.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the deepness of counsel in a man's heart.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God ordains and prepares His arrows against the persecutors.
Supported by Matthew Henry