Psalms 64:2

Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:

Hide {H5641}{H8686)} me from the secret counsel {H5475} of the wicked {H7489}{H8688)}; from the insurrection {H7285} of the workers {H6466}{H8802)} of iniquity {H205}:

Hide me from the secret intrigues of the wicked and the open insurrection of evildoers.

Hide me from the scheming of the wicked, from the mob of workers of iniquity,

Hide me from the secret counsel of evil-doers, From the tumult of the workers of iniquity;

Commentary

Psalm 64:2 is an urgent prayer from King David, a plea for divine protection against the insidious plots and overt aggression of his enemies. It vividly captures the anxiety of being targeted by both hidden malice and open hostility.

Context of Psalm 64:2

This verse is part of a psalm of lament, where David pours out his distress and fear before God. The psalm begins with an earnest cry for God to hear his voice and preserve his life from the "fear of the enemy." David describes his adversaries as those who "sharpen their tongue like a sword" and "bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words" (Psalm 64:3). Therefore, the "secret counsel" and "insurrection" in verse 2 refer not only to their deceptive verbal attacks but also to their organized, hostile actions. This psalm reflects a recurring theme in David's life: facing powerful, cunning, and deceitful opposition, whether from King Saul, Absalom, or other adversaries.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sanctuary: The plea "Hide me" underscores a profound dependence on God as the ultimate refuge. It is a prayer for God's active intervention to conceal and protect the psalmist from harm, echoing other prayers for divine hiding places and shelter.
  • The Nature of Wickedness: The verse highlights two distinct yet intertwined facets of evil: secret plotting ("secret counsel") and open aggression ("insurrection"). The wicked do not act honorably but conspire in darkness and are ready to rise up violently.
  • God's Awareness: Despite the clandestine nature of the wicked's plans, the psalmist trusts that God sees and knows all. This provides comfort and hope that their schemes will not ultimately prevail.
  • Reliance on God's Sovereignty: Ultimately, the psalm is a declaration of faith that God is in control, even when human adversaries seem to hold the upper hand.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "secret counsel" translates the Hebrew word sod (Χ‘Χ•ΦΉΧ“), which can refer to a confidential meeting, an intimate circle, or a secret plot. It suggests a clandestine gathering where malicious plans are hatched in secret. The term "insurrection" comes from rigshath (רִגְשַׁΧͺ), derived from a root meaning "to rage" or "to be in a tumult." It vividly portrays a tumultuous, agitated gathering or a concerted, violent uprising of those intent on harm. The "workers of iniquity" (po'alei aven) are those who actively practice and commit evil, emphasizing their deliberate participation in wrongdoing.

Practical Application

Psalm 64:2 offers a timeless prayer for anyone facing hidden agendas, malicious gossip, or organized opposition in their lives. It encourages believers to:

  • Pray for Protection: When confronted with deception, hostility, or unfair attacks, our first response should be to seek God's divine protection. He is our ultimate shield and defender against both seen and unseen dangers.
  • Trust God's Discernment: Even when we cannot fully discern the hidden motives or secret plans of others, we can trust that God knows all things (Psalm 139:2) and will expose wickedness in His perfect timing.
  • Rest in His Sovereignty: This verse reminds us that God is infinitely greater than any human plot or uprising. He has the power to thwart the plans of the wicked and bring justice, offering reassurance that He who sits in the heavens shall laugh at their schemes.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 143:9

    Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.

  • Psalms 59:2

    Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

  • Jeremiah 11:19

    But I [was] like a lamb [or] an ox [that] is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, [saying], Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.

  • Psalms 31:20

    Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

  • Psalms 109:2

    For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

  • Psalms 109:3

    They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.

  • Psalms 27:5

    For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
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