Psalms64

David prays for divine protection from wicked enemies who plot secretly and use their words as weapons. He describes their malicious intent and hidden snares, believing their deeds will go unseen. The psalm concludes with a declaration that God will suddenly strike down the wicked, causing their own words to condemn them, leading all to acknowledge God's work and the righteous to rejoice in Him.

Prayer for Deliverance from Secret Enemies

1
For the leader. A psalm of David: Hear my voice, God, as I plead: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. ​
2
Hide me from the secret intrigues of the wicked and the open insurrection of evildoers. ​
3
They sharpen their tongues like a sword; they aim their arrows, poisoned words, ​
4
in order to shoot from cover at the innocent, shooting suddenly and fearing nothing. ​
5
They support each other's evil plans; they talk of hiding snares and ask, "Who would see them?"
6
They search for ways to commit crimes, bringing their diligent search to completion when each of them has thought it through in the depth of his heart. ​

God's Sudden Judgment and Vindication

7
Suddenly God shoots them down with an arrow, leaving them with wounds; ​
8
their own tongues make them stumble. All who see them shake their heads. ​
9
Everyone is awestruck they acknowledge that it is God at work, they understand what he has done. ​
10
The righteous will rejoice in ADONAI; they will take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will exult. ​

Study Notes for Psalms 64

Verse 1

The superscription attributes this psalm to David, emphasizing his reliance on God during periods of intense, life-threatening fear caused by opposition.

Verse 2

David faces immediate danger combined with psychological and political threats described as 'secret counsel' and 'insurrection,' indicating a coordinated, hidden plot.

Verse 3

This vivid military imagery illustrates how slander and verbal assault ('bitter words') are used as weapons, often proving more damaging than physical attack in political or social contexts.

Verse 4

The term 'the perfect' (Heb. *tam*) refers not to sinless perfection but to integrity and blamelessness in conduct before God and man, contrasting sharply with the wicked plotters.

Verse 6

The enemies' thoroughness in devising evil schemes is highlighted. The phrase 'the heart, is deep' describes the profound, hidden nature of their malice and deceit.

Verse 7

This verse marks the theological turning point (the *strophe*), shifting from complaint to confident affirmation. God’s judgment is portrayed as sudden and precise, mirroring the unexpected attacks of the wicked (v. 4).

Verse 8

The judgment is fittingly ironic: the wicked’s own slanderous tongues become the instrument of their downfall, leading to public shaming and exposure.

Verse 9

The public witnessing of divine justice leads to universal reverence, as all men acknowledge God’s active sovereignty and consider the wisdom of His doing.

Verse 10

The psalm concludes with a summary of the proper response to God's intervention: the righteous find joy and security (trust) in the Lord, and their integrity is finally vindicated.

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