David
Psalm 64
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
Scripture (KJV)
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.
Summary
Psalm 64 is a prayer for protection from hidden enemies who conspire in secret and shoot bitter words like arrows. David asks God to hide him from the secret counsel of the wicked and the insurrection of workers of iniquity. They whet their tongues like swords and bend their bows to shoot bitter words, secretly attacking the upright without fear. They encourage one another in evil, lay snares privily, and search out iniquities with deep and cunning hearts. But God will shoot at them with His own arrow; suddenly they shall be wounded, and their own tongue will fall upon themselves. The psalm closes with all men fearing and declaring the work of God, and the righteous being glad in the LORD, trusting in Him, and glorying.
The major themes are protection from secret enemies, the power of the tongue, divine justice, the fear of God, and the joy of the righteous. Practically, the psalm teaches that God hears the hidden prayers of those attacked by secret slander and that He turns the weapons of the wicked back upon themselves. The great lesson is that the righteous shall be glad in the LORD and trust in Him.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 64
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 and the insurrection of workers of iniquity. Those who whet their tongues like swords and shoot bitter words in secret, You shall shoot at with Your own arrow. Let their own tongue fall upon themselves. Let all men fear and declare Your work. Let the righteous be glad in You, LORD, and trust in You. Let all the upright in heart glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How does this psalm address the pain of secret slander and conspiracy?
- 2What does it mean that God "shall shoot at them with an arrow"?
- 3How can the righteous be glad in the LORD even while under attack?
- 4Where do I need to trust that God will turn the weapons of the wicked back upon themselves?
Related Psalms
Psalm 55
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Read morePsalm 56
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Read morePsalm 57
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Read morePsalm 59
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A prayer for protection from assailants, praising God as fortress.
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