Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.
But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
Psalms 64 is a heartfelt prayer for deliverance from the plots and schemes of the wicked. While not explicitly linked to a specific event in David's life, the psalm resonates with themes of ambush, conspiracy, and lies, echoing experiences he faced with figures like Saul (1 Samuel 19:11) and Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13–14). This psalm underscores David's unwavering faith that God will expose his enemies and make them examples to the world, a theme prevalent throughout his writings (Psalm 40:3; 52:6–7; 58:10–11).
A Plea for Protection (Psalms 64:1-2)
The psalm opens with a direct and urgent cry to God for protection. David pleads with God to hear his voice in complaint and to preserve his life from the fear of the enemy (Psalms 64:1). He seeks refuge from the secret plots of the wicked and from the throng of evildoers (Psalms 64:2). This sets the stage for the description of the enemies' malicious intentions and actions.
The Wickedness of the Enemy (Psalms 64:3-6)
David vividly portrays the wicked schemes of his adversaries. He describes how they sharpen their tongues like swords and aim bitter words like arrows (Psalms 64:3). They lie in wait to shoot down the blameless, attacking suddenly and without fear (Psalms 64:4). Their words are calculated weapons, designed to inflict maximum damage on reputations and sow discord.
Furthermore, the psalm highlights the conspiratorial nature of their evil. They encourage themselves in their wicked schemes, plotting injustice and believing they can conceal their traps from everyone (Psalms 64:5). They meticulously devise their plans, convinced that no one can uncover the secret plan they have perfected (Psalms 64:6). This reflects the deep depravity of the human heart, which seeks to operate in darkness and escape accountability.
God's Intervention and Justice (Psalms 64:7-8)
However, David's faith shines through as he anticipates God's intervention. He declares that God will shoot his own arrows at them, striking them suddenly (Psalms 64:7). In a powerful reversal, their own tongues will be turned against them, bringing about their downfall (Psalms 64:8). Their evil deeds will boomerang, and the destruction they intended for others will become their own undoing. This divine retribution underscores the principle that those who sow wickedness will reap the same.
The Righteous Rejoice (Psalms 64:9-10)
The psalm concludes with the positive consequences of God's justice. David proclaims that all people will fear and acknowledge God's power when they witness his judgment (Psalms 64:9). Such a visible manifestation of God's work would cause everyone to fear him and give testimony to his glorious deeds. The righteous, in particular, will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him. They will glory in God and find security in his protection (Psalms 64:10). This psalm provides encouragement to those who trust in God, assuring them that even in the face of wicked schemes, God will ultimately deliver and vindicate them.
David's hope for the people of God in his day should also be our hope today. When we see the deliverance of God, we should rejoice in Him, take refuge under His covering, and offer Him praise. By trusting in the Lord and celebrating our relationship with Him, we can find strength and hope amidst the challenges of life.
Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.
But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
Psalms 64 is a heartfelt prayer for deliverance from the plots and schemes of the wicked. While not explicitly linked to a specific event in David's life, the psalm resonates with themes of ambush, conspiracy, and lies, echoing experiences he faced with figures like Saul (1 Samuel 19:11) and Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13–14). This psalm underscores David's unwavering faith that God will expose his enemies and make them examples to the world, a theme prevalent throughout his writings (Psalm 40:3; 52:6–7; 58:10–11).
A Plea for Protection (Psalms 64:1-2)
The psalm opens with a direct and urgent cry to God for protection. David pleads with God to hear his voice in complaint and to preserve his life from the fear of the enemy (Psalms 64:1). He seeks refuge from the secret plots of the wicked and from the throng of evildoers (Psalms 64:2). This sets the stage for the description of the enemies' malicious intentions and actions.
The Wickedness of the Enemy (Psalms 64:3-6)
David vividly portrays the wicked schemes of his adversaries. He describes how they sharpen their tongues like swords and aim bitter words like arrows (Psalms 64:3). They lie in wait to shoot down the blameless, attacking suddenly and without fear (Psalms 64:4). Their words are calculated weapons, designed to inflict maximum damage on reputations and sow discord.
Furthermore, the psalm highlights the conspiratorial nature of their evil. They encourage themselves in their wicked schemes, plotting injustice and believing they can conceal their traps from everyone (Psalms 64:5). They meticulously devise their plans, convinced that no one can uncover the secret plan they have perfected (Psalms 64:6). This reflects the deep depravity of the human heart, which seeks to operate in darkness and escape accountability.
God's Intervention and Justice (Psalms 64:7-8)
However, David's faith shines through as he anticipates God's intervention. He declares that God will shoot his own arrows at them, striking them suddenly (Psalms 64:7). In a powerful reversal, their own tongues will be turned against them, bringing about their downfall (Psalms 64:8). Their evil deeds will boomerang, and the destruction they intended for others will become their own undoing. This divine retribution underscores the principle that those who sow wickedness will reap the same.
The Righteous Rejoice (Psalms 64:9-10)
The psalm concludes with the positive consequences of God's justice. David proclaims that all people will fear and acknowledge God's power when they witness his judgment (Psalms 64:9). Such a visible manifestation of God's work would cause everyone to fear him and give testimony to his glorious deeds. The righteous, in particular, will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him. They will glory in God and find security in his protection (Psalms 64:10). This psalm provides encouragement to those who trust in God, assuring them that even in the face of wicked schemes, God will ultimately deliver and vindicate them.
David's hope for the people of God in his day should also be our hope today. When we see the deliverance of God, we should rejoice in Him, take refuge under His covering, and offer Him praise. By trusting in the Lord and celebrating our relationship with Him, we can find strength and hope amidst the challenges of life.