Psalm 64 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 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:
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.
Psalms Chapter 64 continued
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.
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.
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.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 64:10
Verse: יִירָאוּ מִפְּנֵי אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: Yir’u mi-penei Elohim
English: “The righteous will be glad in the Lord and take refuge in Him.”
Focus Word: יָרֵא (Yare)
- Root: י-ר-א (Yod-Resh-Aleph)
- Meaning: “To fear,” “to revere,” “to respect.”
- Deeper Insight: Hebrew yare denotes reverential awe, producing obedience, trust, and refuge in God.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| שְׁמַע — shema | Verse 1 — “Hear my voice, O God…” | “Hear,” listen. | Shema (“hear”) conveys plea for attentive divine response (“hear”). It reveals the urgency of distress. The term opens the Psalm with intimate appeal. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| שִׂיחַ — siach | Verse 1 — “…preserve my life from fear…” | “Meditation,” complaint. | Siach (“complaint/meditation”) expresses troubled reflection (“complaint”). It shows inward wrestling. The term reflects emotional burden behind the prayer. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| סָתַר — satar | Verse 2 — “Hide me from the secret counsel…” | “To hide,” conceal. | Satar (“to hide”) expresses need for protection (“hide”). It portrays concealment from plots. The word heightens danger imagery. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| סוֹד — sod | Verse 2 — “…secret plots of the wicked.” | “Council,” secret deliberation. | Sod (“secret counsel”) signifies whispered schemes (“counsel/secret plot”). It reflects organized wickedness. The term intensifies the Psalmist’s sense of threat. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| חֵץ — chetz | Verse 3 — “Who sharpen their tongue like a sword…” | “Arrow,” weapon. | Chetz (“arrow”) symbolizes precise verbal attack (“arrow”). It portrays destructive speech. The term deepens weapon imagery. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| פָּתָה — patah | Verse 3 — “…bend their bows to shoot…” | “To entice,” deceive. | Patah (“to entice”) reflects cunning intent (“aim/deceive”). It shows premeditated malice. The word strengthens portrayal of scheming enemies. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| מַר — mar | Verse 3 — “…words bitterly.” | “Bitter,” sharp. | Mar (“bitter”) expresses harsh, wounding speech (“bitter”). It conveys cruelty in verbal assault. The term reflects emotional damage inflicted by enemies. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| חָפַר — chafar | Verse 6 — “They search out iniquities…” | “To dig,” search. | Chafar (“to dig/search”) denotes investigative wickedness (“search out”). It reflects active pursuit of evil plans. The term exposes depth of human malice. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| פִּלְּגוּ — pillegu | Verse 6 — “…we have perfected a shrewd scheme!” | “To divide,” plot. | Pillegu (“to plot/divide”) suggests complex strategizing (“plot”). It highlights mental crafting of evil. The word uncovers deliberateness of wicked design. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary |
| מַכְשׁוֹל — makhshol | Verse 8 — “…their own tongue makes them stumble.” | “Stumbling,” downfall. | Makhshol (“stumbling”) signifies downfall brought by one’s own speech (“stumble”). It reflects poetic justice. The term reassures the righteous of divine reversal. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin sees the psalm as describing hidden conspiracies designed to destroy the righteous. Their malicious words are weapons aimed in darkness. God ultimately turns their schemes back upon themselves. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition on the Psalms | Henry interprets the psalm as a cry from one oppressed by secret slanderers. God hears even silent threats. The triumph of righteousness glorifies God. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes views the psalm as exposing the cruelty of those who attack with their tongues. God answers by striking suddenly at the wicked. The righteous rejoice in His justice. |
| John Morison – Practical Exposition of the Psalms | Morison highlights the psalmist’s fear of unseen dangers. God’s power overcomes hidden plots. The godly find comfort in His deliverance. |
| William Walford – Commentary on the Psalms | Walford sees the psalm as describing the terror of secret enemies. Their crafty words wound deeply. God’s defense brings joy to the upright. |
| Andrew A. Bonar – Christ and His Church in the Psalms | Bonar interprets the psalm as portraying the Church surrounded by hidden adversaries. God’s arrows outmatch the arrows of the wicked. The righteous rejoice in God’s work. |
| Joseph Parker – People’s Bible Notes | Parker reads the psalm as a warning against the power of malicious whispers. God exposes darkness. Justice vindicates the faithful. |
| Thomas Dale – Exposition of the Psalms | Dale emphasizes the danger of hidden attacks. The wicked sharpen their tongues like swords. God’s intervention brings relief. |
| Horatius Bonar – Psalm Meditations | Bonar sees this psalm as the believer’s confidence under secret threats. God breaks the devices of the wicked. His people rejoice in His righteousness. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – Commentary on the Psalms | Wordsworth interprets the psalm as the Church surrounded by unseen enemies. God reveals and destroys their schemes. The righteous glory in His justice. |
Prayer: Thank You Father, for being faithful even when we have not been faithful to You. Thank You, Lord that your mercy endures forever and that we can go before Your throne of Grace to receive mercy and find grace in times of need. Thank You Lord for the protection that You give to Your People in the secret place, for we fear You and have a heart to serve You in all that we do. Defend us from the hand of the wicked, and cause their tongue to fall upon themselves. We thank You For Your Excellent goodness in Jesus' Name. Amen.
