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Commentary on Psalms 64 verses 1–6
David, in these verses, puts in before God a representation of his own danger and of his enemies' character, to enforce his petition that God would protect him and punish them.
I. He earnestly begs of God to preserve him (Psa 64:1, Psa 64:2): Hear my voice, O God! in my prayer; that is, grant me the thing I pray for, and this is it, Lord, preserve my life from fear of the enemy, that is, fro the enemy that I am in fear of. He makes request for his life, which is, in a particular manner, dear to him, because he knows it is designed to be very serviceable to God and his generation. When his life is struck at it cannot be thought he should altogether hold his peace, Est 7:2, Est 7:4. And, if he plead his fear of the enemy, it is no disparagement to his courage; his father Jacob, that prince with God, did so before him. Gen 32:11, Deliver me from the hand of Esau, for I fear him. Preserve my life from fear, not only from the thing itself which I fear, but from the disquieting fear of it; this is, in effect, the preservation of the life, for fear has torment, particularly the fear of death, by reason of which some are all their life-time subject to bondage. He prays, "Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked, from the mischief which they secretly consult among themselves to do against me, and from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity, who join forces, as they join counsels, to do me a mischief." Observe, The secret counsel ends in an insurrection; treasonable practices begin in treasonable confederacies and conspiracies. "Hide me from them, that they may not find me, that they may not reach me. Let me be safe under thy protection."
II. He complains of the great malice and wickedness of his enemies: "Lord, hide me from them, for they are the worst of men, not fit to be connived at; they are dangerous men, that will stick at nothing; so that I am undone if thou do not take my part."
1.They are very spiteful in their calumnies and reproaches, Psa 64:3, Psa 64:4. They are described as military men, with their sword and bow, archers that take aim exactly, secretly, and suddenly, and shoot at the harmless bird that apprehends not herself in any danger. But, (1.) Their tongues are their swords, flaming swords, two-edged swords, drawn swords, drawn in anger, with which they cut, and wound, and kill, the good name of their neighbours. The tongue is a little member, but, like the sword, it boasts great things, Jam 3:5. It is a dangerous weapon. (2.) Bitter words are their arrows - scurrilous reflections, opprobrious nicknames, false representations, slanders, and calumnies, the fiery darts of the wicked one, set on fire to hell. For these their malice bends their bows, to send out these arrows with so much the more force. (3.) The upright man is their mark; against him their spleen is, and they cannot speak peaceably either of him or to him. The better any man is the more he is envied by those that are themselves bad, and the more ill is said of him. (4.) They manage it with a great deal of art and subtlety. They shoot in secret, that those they shoot at may not discover them and avoid the danger, for in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird. And suddenly do they shoot, without giving a man lawful warning or any opportunity to defend himself. Cursed be he that thus smites his neighbour secretly in his reputation, Deu 27:24. There is no guard against a pass made by a false tongue. (5.) Herein they fear not, that is, they are confident of their success, and doubt not but by these methods they shall gain the point which their malice aims at. Or, rather, they fear not the wrath of God, which they will be the portion of a false tongue. They are impudent and daring in the mischief they do to good people, as if they must never be called to an account for it.
2.They are very close and very resolute in their malicious projects, Psa 64:5. (1.) They strengthen and corroborate themselves and one another in this evil matter, and by joining together in it they make one another the more bitter and the more bold. Fortiter calumniari, aliquid adhaerebit - Lay on an abundance of reproach; part will be sure to stick. It is bad to do a wrong thing, but worse to encourage ourselves and one another in doing it; this is doing the devil's work for him. It is a sign that the heart is hardened to the highest degree when it is thus fully set to do evil and fears no colours. It is the office of conscience to discourage men in an evil matter, but, when that is baffled, the case is desperate. (2.) They consult with themselves and one another how to do the most mischief and most effectually: They commune of laying snares privily. All their communion is in sin and all their communication is how to sin securely. They hold councils of war for finding out the most effectual expedients to do mischief; every snare they lay was talked of before, and was laid with all the contrivance of their wicked wits combined. (3.) They please themselves with an atheistical conceit that God himself takes no notice of their wicked practices: They say, Who shall see them? A practical disbelief of God's omniscience is at the bottom of all the wickedness of the wicked.
3.They are very industrious in putting their projects in execution (Psa 64:6): "They search out iniquity; they take a great deal of pains to find out some iniquity or other to lay to my charge; they dig deep, and look far back, and put things to the utmost stretch, that they may have something to accuse me of;" or, "They are industrious to find out new arts of doing mischief to me; in this they accomplish a diligent search; they go through with it, and spare neither cost nor labour." Evil men dig up mischief. Half the pains that many take to damn their souls would serve to save them. They are masters of all the arts of mischief and destruction, for the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, are keep, deep as hell, desperately wicked, who can know it? By the unaccountable wickedness of their wit and of their will, they show themselves to be, both in subtlety and malignity, the genuine offspring of the old serpent.
"They have bended the bow, a bitter thing, in order that they may shoot in secret One unspotted" [Psalm 64:4]. The bow he calls lyings in wait. For he that with sword fights hand to hand, openly fights: he that shoots an arrow deceives, in order to strike. For the arrow smites, before it is foreseen to come to wound. But whom could the lyings in wait of the human heart escape? Would they escape our Lord Jesus Christ, who had no need that any one should bear witness to Him of man? "For Himself knew what was in man," [John 2:25] as the Evangelist testifies. Nevertheless, let us hear them, and look upon them in their doings as if the Lord knew not what they devise. The expression he used, "They have bended the bow," is the same as, "in secret:" as if they were deceiving by lyings in wait. For you know by what artifices they did this, how with money they bribed a disciple that clave to Him, in order that He might be betrayed to them, [Matthew 26:14-15] how they procured false witnesses; with what lyings in wait and artifices they wrought, "in order that they might shoot in secret One unspotted." Great iniquity! Behold from a secret place there comes an arrow, which strikes One unspotted, who had not even so much of spot as could be pierced with an arrow. A Lamb indeed He is unspotted, wholly unspotted, always unspotted; not one from whom spots have been removed but that has contracted not any spots. For He has made many unspotted by forgiving sins, being Himself unspotted by not having sins. "Suddenly they shall shoot Him, and shall not fear." O heart hardened, to wish to kill a Man that did raise the dead! "Suddenly:" that is, insidiously, as if unexpectedly, as if not foreseen. For the Lord was like to one knowing not, being among men knowing not what He knew not and what He knew: yea, knowing not that there was nothing that He knew not, and that He knew all things, and to this end had come in order that they might do that which they thought they did by their own power.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 64:4 powerfully depicts the insidious tactics of the wicked against the righteous, portraying their attacks as stealthy, sudden, and morally uninhibited. This verse highlights the vulnerability of the "perfect" or upright before such hidden malice, emphasizing the enemies' cunning and their utter disregard for divine judgment. It serves as a vivid expression of the psalmist's distress and sets the stage for his subsequent plea for God's intervention against those who operate in darkness.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 64:4 is rich in Imagery, particularly military imagery, where the enemies' words and schemes are vividly depicted as arrows shot from a bow. This comparison creates a powerful mental picture of the destructive and penetrating nature of their attacks. The use of "shoot" (Hebrew, yârâh') is a clear Metaphor, transforming verbal assaults into physical projectiles. The phrase "shoot in secret" employs a subtle Irony, as the "perfect" are targeted by those who operate in darkness, highlighting the moral inversion of the wicked. Furthermore, the repetition of "shoot" (implied in "suddenly do they shoot") and the progression from "secret" to "suddenly" create a sense of escalating threat and urgency, contributing to the psalm's overall tone of lament and plea for divine intervention. The depiction of the enemies as those who "fear not" is a potent form of Characterization, revealing their godless and audacious nature, devoid of moral conscience.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the spiritual warfare faced by those committed to righteousness in a fallen world. It reveals that integrity often attracts opposition, and that the methods of evil are frequently clandestine, sudden, and devoid of moral conscience. The "perfect" are not targeted because of their sin, but precisely because of their uprightness, which stands as a rebuke to the wicked and a challenge to their ungodly ways. This dynamic echoes throughout Scripture, where the righteous are persecuted for their faithfulness, serving as a testament to the ongoing conflict between light and darkness. The psalmist's detailed description of these insidious tactics not only validates the experience of the oppressed but also lays the groundwork for a desperate plea to God, who alone possesses the omniscient sight and sovereign power to expose and thwart such hidden malice.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often characterized by hidden agendas, sudden betrayals, and a pervasive lack of moral accountability, Psalms 64:4 offers a sobering yet profoundly relevant insight for believers. It reminds us that opposition to righteousness is not always overt; it frequently operates through subtle whispers, false narratives, and unexpected attacks designed to destabilize, discredit, and dismantle. For those striving to live with integrity and wholehearted devotion to God, this verse serves as a profound call to spiritual vigilance, recognizing that our "perfection" in Christ can make us targets for the schemes of the enemy. Yet, David's response in this psalm—crying out to God and trusting in His justice—provides the ultimate model for our own conduct. Rather than succumbing to fear, despair, or the temptation to retaliate in kind, we are called to trust in the Lord's omniscient sight and His unwavering justice, knowing that He sees what is hidden and will ultimately bring all things into the light. Our defense is not in our own strength or cleverness, but in the sovereign protection of God, who vindicates the upright and exposes the schemes of the wicked. This understanding empowers us to persevere in righteousness, even when assailed by unseen arrows.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "the perfect" mean in this context, and how does it relate to Christian believers?
Answer: In Psalms 64:4, "the perfect" (Hebrew, tâm' H8535) refers to an individual who is complete, sound, upright, or blameless in their character and conduct before God. It signifies integrity and wholehearted devotion, not sinless perfection in an absolute sense. Examples include Noah, who was "perfect in his generations" (Genesis 6:9), and Job, described as "perfect and upright" (Job 1:1). For Christian believers, this concept translates to those who are "in Christ," made righteous through His sacrifice, and who strive to live according to His will, walking in integrity and obedience, as commanded in Matthew 5:48. While no human is inherently sinless, believers are called to pursue blamelessness in their conduct and character, reflecting the holiness of God. It is often this commitment to Christ-like living that draws the opposition of a world hostile to God, as seen in the experiences of early Christians in Acts 4:1-3.
How does the "secret" and "sudden" nature of the attacks impact the victim?
Answer: The "secret" nature of the attacks (e.g., slander, gossip, hidden plots) means the victim is often unaware of the source or even the existence of the malice until its effects are felt. This lack of transparency prevents the victim from preparing a defense or confronting the accuser directly, making the attacks particularly insidious and difficult to counter. The "sudden" aspect (Hebrew, pithʼôwm' H6597) emphasizes the unexpected and abrupt timing of these assaults. They aim to catch the victim off guard, maximizing shock, confusion, and damage. Together, secrecy and suddenness create a profound sense of vulnerability, helplessness, and emotional distress for the targeted individual, as they are blindsided by an unseen enemy, much like the unexpected trials described in 1 Peter 4:12.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 64:4, with its depiction of the "perfect" being targeted by secret, sudden, and fearless attacks, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the truly "perfect" one, the blameless Lamb of God who "committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth" (1 Peter 2:22). Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus faced relentless opposition characterized by the very tactics described in this psalm. The religious leaders and His adversaries constantly plotted against Him "in secret," seeking to trap Him with words (Matthew 22:15) and conspiring behind closed doors to orchestrate His arrest and crucifixion (John 11:47-53). His arrest itself was a "sudden" ambush in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:47-50), carried out by those who "feared not" God but were driven by malice and envy, even crying out, "His blood be on us and on our children!" (Matthew 27:25). Yet, unlike David who prayed for deliverance from such attacks, Jesus willingly endured them, fulfilling the prophetic suffering of the righteous servant (Isaiah 53:7). His perfect obedience and suffering, culminating in His death and resurrection, ultimately disarmed the spiritual forces of darkness that employed such tactics (Colossians 2:15). Thus, in Christ, we see not only the perfect target of such malice but also the One who, by enduring it, provides the ultimate victory and a sure refuge for all who are made "perfect" in Him through faith (Hebrews 10:14).