Psalm 64

Plea for safety; the way of the wicked is revealed
.
Text
Explanation
Courage
 1 ¶ <<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> 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:
  Prayer Literally, "concern" or as in the NIV below. Also ps05502.
 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.
  Bitter words Or "words of malice."
  In secret Literally, "in hiding places" ps01008.
  Perfect Hebrew tam also means "complete" or "right." See on Job 0101.
  Fear not Compare re1407.
 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.
  Encourage themselves The wrong friends drag us down, and we them. ps00101.
  Diligent search Those who abandon God turn their zeal toward increasing evil.
 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.
  God shall shoot The activities of the wicked may appear right but God guides circumstances so that their evil is revealed.
  Arrow In response to v3.
 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.
-
__________________________________
..
Previous
Next
Another psalm
Commentary home
Contact & more info
Thoughts for meditation, following the text of the NIV

PS 64:1 Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint;
    protect my life from the threat of the enemy.
In this psalm David calls on the Lord to turn his enemies away.

  PS 64:2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
    from that noisy crowd of evildoers.
  PS 64:3 They sharpen their tongues like swords
    and aim their words like deadly arrows.
Swords and arrows were primary weapons for war. Here they symbolize instruments for verbal abuse. It's easy for us to speak harshly especially when we feel that the person addressed is doing wrong. We may better practice speaking kind words to our friend or child or spouse.

  PS 64:4 They shoot from ambush at the innocent man;
    they shoot at him suddenly, without fear.
  PS 64:5 They encourage each other in evil plans,
    they talk about hiding their snares;
    they say, "Who will see them?"
Here is more than unkind words. It is deception. Such things are easier for people of like mind assembled. How can we avoid such plotting? Often a person talked about is not doing a good job or has some bad habit. We feel justified in talking about him or her. Instead let's remember that the person needs our prayers.

  PS 64:6 They plot injustice and say,
    "We have devised a perfect plan!"
    Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning.
  PS 64:7 But God will shoot them with arrows;
    suddenly they will be struck down.
The third line in v6 belongs with v7. God shoots arrows at those who aim arrows at the innocent. Notice, in the next verse, how He does this.

  PS 64:8 He will turn their own tongues against them
    and bring them to ruin;
    all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.
God allows the wicked to expose their evil plans and even sends them into their own traps as He did with Haman who Esther invited to her banquet.

  PS 64:9 All mankind will fear;
    they will proclaim the works of God
    and ponder what he has done.
A change in thought. Even the wicked will acknowledge the justice of God at the end of the thousand years.

  PS 64:10 Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD
    and take refuge in him;
    let all the upright in heart praise him!
We are to take action. This will bring us closer to our Lord and to others.