1 > Hear my voice, God, in my complaint. Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, From the noisy crowd of the ones doing evil;
3 Who sharpen their tongue like a sword, And aim their arrows, deadly words,
4 To shoot innocent men from ambushes. They shoot at him suddenly and fearlessly.
5 They encourage themselves in evil plans. They talk about laying snares secretly. They say, "Who will see them?"
6 They plot injustice, saying, "We have made a perfect plan!" Surely man's mind and heart are cunning.
7 But God will shoot at them. They will be suddenly struck down with an arrow.
8 Their own tongues shall ruin them. All who see them will shake their heads.
9 All mankind shall be afraid. They shall declare the work of God, And shall wisely ponder what he has done.
10 The righteous shall be glad in Yahweh, And shall take refuge in him. All the upright in heart shall praise him!
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 64
Commentary on Psalms 64 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 64
Ps 64:1-10. A prayer for deliverance from cunning and malicious enemies, with a confident view of their overthrow, which will honor God and give joy to the righteous.
1. preserve … fear—as well as the danger producing it.
2. insurrection—literally, "uproar," noisy assaults, as well as their secret counsels.
3, 4. Similar figures for slander (Ps 57:4; 59:7).
bend—literally, "tread," or, "prepared." The allusion is to the mode of bending a bow by treading on it; here, and in Ps 58:7, transferred to arrows.
4. the perfect—one innocent of the charges made (Ps 18:23).
fear not—(Ps 55:19), not regarding God.
5. A sentiment here more fully presented, by depicting their deliberate malice.
6. This is further evinced by their diligent efforts and deeply laid schemes.
7. The contrast is heightened by representing God as using weapons like theirs.
8. their … tongue to fall, &c.—that is, the consequences of their slanders, &c. (compare Ps 10:2; 31:16).
all that see … away—Their partners in evil shall be terrified.
9, 10. Men, generally, will acknowledge God's work, and the righteous, rejoicing in it, shall be encouraged to trust Him (Ps 58:10).