Old Testament
Psalms 64
Overview
Psalm 64 is a lament against the hidden malice of slander, asking God to hide the psalmist from the secret plots of evildoers who sharpen their tongues like swords and shoot words like arrows. David describes their confident scheming, then announces the sudden reversal: God shoots His own arrow, and the very tongue they wielded brings them to ruin. The psalm ends with the righteous rejoicing and all people seeing and declaring the works of God.
1To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Hear 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.