Psalms 64

KJV · Chapter 64/150

1Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

2Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:

3Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:

4That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

5They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?

6They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

7But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.

8So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.

9And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.

10The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

📖 Chapter study

Summary

David asks for protection from enemies who secretly plot bitter words like arrows, trusting that God will shoot a sudden arrow at them, causing everyone to recognize divine justice.

Explanation

This psalm focuses specifically on the danger of maliciously planned words — 'who whet their tongue like a sword' — describing a verbal conspiracy carefully devised to slander or harm someone without being detected. God's response, described as a sudden 'arrow,' turns the enemy's own weapon (words shot like arrows) back against him. Today's application: recognizing the destructive power of maliciously planned words, whether in gossip, slander, or manipulation, and trusting that the truth eventually comes to light.

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