Psalms 64:5

KJV

They encourage themselves [in] an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?

KJV (with Strong's)

They encourage {H2388}{H8762)} themselves in an evil {H7451} matter {H1697}: they commune {H5608}{H8762)} of laying {H2934} snares {H4170} privily {H2934}{H8800)}; they say {H559}{H8804)}, Who shall see {H7200}{H8799)} them?

Complete Jewish Bible

They support each other's evil plans; they talk of hiding snares and ask, "Who would see them?"

Berean Standard Bible

They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. “Who will see them?” they say.

American Standard Version

They encourage themselves in an evil purpose; They commune of laying snares privily; They say, Who will see them?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 64:5 profoundly exposes the sinister nature of the wicked, revealing their deliberate and self-fortifying resolve to commit evil, their secretive and collaborative plotting to ensnare others, and their audacious conviction that their malicious schemes will remain entirely hidden from any form of scrutiny, especially divine oversight. This verse encapsulates the dangerous delusion of those who operate in darkness, believing themselves immune to accountability, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for God's inevitable and inescapable judgment upon such hidden treachery.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 64 is a fervent lament and prayer of David, where he earnestly appeals to God for deliverance from his clandestine enemies. The psalm commences with David's desperate cry for protection from the "noise of the enemy" and the "tumult of the wicked" found in [Psalm 64:1-2](/psalms/64-1-2 "Psalm 64:1-2 - David's Prayer for Protection"). He vividly describes their malicious words as sharpened swords and bitter arrows, launched from concealed positions, as detailed in [Psalm 64:3-4](/psalms/64-3-4 "Psalm 64:3-4 - The Wicked's Malicious Words"). Verse 5 marks a critical transition, shifting the focus from their outward verbal assaults to their internal machinations and conspiratorial planning. It meticulously details the deliberate malice and the arrogant belief in their own impunity that fuels their plots. This verse serves as a crucial narrative bridge, setting the stage for the dramatic shift in the psalm's latter half, where God's swift, public, and decisive judgment against these hidden schemers is confidently proclaimed in [Psalm 64:7-9](/psalms/64-7-9 "Psalm 64:7-9 - God's Judgment on the Wicked").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** As King of Israel, David frequently confronted threats from both external adversaries and internal conspirators, who often operated with great secrecy. His reign was punctuated by periods of intense persecution, flight, and betrayal, making the theme of hidden enemies particularly poignant and personal for him. The concept of "snares" (Hebrew: *môqēš*) was deeply ingrained in the ancient Near Eastern consciousness, referring to various traps set for animals, but also widely employed metaphorically to denote ambushes, deceptive plots, or schemes designed to entrap people. Such malicious plots were commonly hatched in "secret counsel" (*sôd*), underscoring the conspiratorial nature of the wicked's actions, a phenomenon all too common in royal courts and the broader political landscape of the time. The arrogant rhetorical question, "Who shall see them?", powerfully reflects a pervasive human delusion that deeds performed in darkness remain truly unseen. This belief directly challenges the foundational understanding of a just, omniscient, and omnipresent God who discerns all things, even the deepest secrets of the human heart and mind, a truth consistently affirmed throughout wisdom literature, as seen in [Proverbs 15:3](/proverbs/15-3 "Proverbs 15:3 - God's All-Seeing Eyes").
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several profound themes within Psalm 64 and the broader collection of the Psalter. Firstly, it starkly illuminates the **depravity of human wickedness**, emphasizing its deliberate, self-encouraged, and conspiratorial dimensions, moving beyond mere impulsive sin to calculated malice. Secondly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **divine omniscience and justice**, presenting a striking contrast between the wicked's profound delusion of invisibility and God's perfect, all-seeing knowledge and ultimate accountability. The very question, "Who shall see them?", ironically functions to highlight God's inevitable revelation and judgment, reinforcing the biblical truth that "nothing is hidden from God" as declared in [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Exposed to God"). Finally, it develops the crucial theme of **trust in God's unwavering protection amidst hidden dangers**, offering profound assurance to the righteous that God is fully cognizant of every hidden plot and will ultimately vindicate His people, often by causing the wicked to become ensnared in their own meticulously crafted traps, a motif powerfully echoed elsewhere in the Psalms, such as in [Psalm 7:15](/psalms/7-15 "Psalm 7:15 - The Wicked's Own Pit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Encourage themselves (Hebrew, _châzaq'_):** The root H2388 (*châzaq*) fundamentally means "to be strong, firm, or courageous." In this context, used in the Hithpael stem (a reflexive form), it signifies that the wicked "strengthen themselves," "make themselves firm," or "harden their resolve" towards an evil objective. This is not a passive yielding to temptation but an active, deliberate, and self-willed commitment to wrongdoing. It implies a conscious effort to overcome any lingering moral qualms or hesitation, steeling their will to pursue their malicious intentions with unwavering determination. This points to a deep-seated, intentional wickedness.
* **Snares (Hebrew, _môwqêsh'_):** The term H4170 (*môwqêsh*) refers to a noose, trap, or lure, typically employed for catching animals. Metaphorically, it denotes a deceptive plot, an ambush, or a cunning scheme designed to entrap or ensnare an unsuspecting victim. The use of this word vividly emphasizes the treacherous and deceptive nature of the wicked's plans, aiming to catch their target unawares and without recourse. It highlights their cunning, malicious intent, and the hidden danger they pose.
* **Privily (Hebrew, _ṭâman'_):** The word H2934 (*ṭâman*) means "to hide (by covering over)," "to lay privily," or "to conceal in secret." It directly describes the clandestine and conspiratorial nature of their plotting. They are not acting openly or transparently but in a hidden, secretive manner, often in private consultation with one another. This underscores their explicit desire to operate undetected, believing that by keeping their plans secret, they can evade exposure, accountability, and the consequences of their actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They encourage themselves in an evil matter":** This clause lays bare the internal disposition and active choice of the wicked. They are not merely susceptible to evil; they actively fortify their will and resolve to pursue it. This implies a conscious, determined decision to embrace and strengthen their commitment to malicious deeds, indicating a hardened heart and a deliberate rejection of righteousness. Their wickedness is not accidental or impulsive but is a matter of self-willed and resolute determination.
* **"they commune of laying snares privily":** This phrase describes the collaborative and highly secretive nature of their plotting. The word "commune" (derived from H5608 *çâphar* and H559 *ʼâmar* in the KJV, though the Strong's for "commune" is H5608, meaning to recount or declare) here implies intense discussion, consultation, and mutual agreement, indicating a deliberate conspiracy. They are not acting alone but are united in their sinister purpose to set traps, which are inherently deceptive and harmful schemes. The adverb "privily" (H2934 *ṭâman*) emphatically highlights the clandestine, hidden, and confidential nature of their operations, underscoring their profound desire to avoid detection and accountability.
* **"they say, Who shall see them?":** This rhetorical question powerfully exposes the profound arrogance and fundamental delusion of the wicked. It reveals their deeply ingrained belief that their secret plots will remain utterly hidden from all observers, including human authorities and, most significantly, God Himself. This question is a direct and audacious challenge to divine omniscience and omnipresence, showcasing an arrogant disregard for divine justice and ultimate accountability. It reflects a mindset that believes it can escape consequences, a common and dangerous characteristic of those who plot evil in secret.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Imagery** is central, particularly with the phrase "laying snares privily," which evokes a vivid mental picture of hidden traps and clandestine operations, highlighting the deceptive, dangerous, and underhanded nature of the wicked's plans. The phrase "encourage themselves in an evil matter" utilizes **abstract personification**, as "evil matter" is treated as a tangible entity within which one can actively strengthen oneself, giving the abstract concept a concrete, almost adversarial presence. Most significantly, the rhetorical question "Who shall see them?" is a powerful use of **irony**. The wicked pose this question with arrogant confidence, firmly believing they are unseen, yet the very act of the psalmist revealing their secret thoughts and intentions demonstrates unequivocally that they are indeed seen—first by the psalmist's prophetic insight, and ultimately and perfectly by God. This sets up a profound **contrast** between human delusion and divine omniscience, a central and recurring theological theme throughout the psalm.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly underscores the foundational biblical truth of God's perfect omniscience and the utter futility of any attempt to conceal sin or malicious intent from Him. The wicked's arrogant question, "Who shall see them?", stands in stark and irreconcilable contrast to the divine reality that "the eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good" as stated in [Proverbs 15:3](/proverbs/15-3 "Proverbs 15:3 - God's All-Seeing Eyes"). It highlights the inherent human tendency to believe that what is done in secret remains secret, a dangerous delusion that the Bible consistently exposes and refutes. Furthermore, the verse powerfully foreshadows the principle of divine retribution, where those who meticulously dig a pit for others often fall into it themselves—a recurring theme of divine justice where the wicked's own devices become their inevitable downfall. This serves as an immense comfort to the righteous, assuring them that God is fully aware of every hidden scheme plotted against them and will, in His perfect timing, bring justice to light and vindicate His people.

* [Proverbs 15:3](/proverbs/15-3 "Proverbs 15:3 - God's All-Seeing Eyes")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "All Things Exposed to God")
* [Psalms 7:15](/psalms/7-15 "Psalm 7:15 - The Wicked's Own Pit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 64:5 serves as a profound and challenging mirror, reflecting not only the insidious nature of the wicked but also compelling us to examine the hidden corners of our own hearts and minds. It serves as a potent reminder that true integrity is not merely about outward actions or public performance, but fundamentally about the inner disposition and the secret intentions we harbor. The wicked's self-encouragement in evil highlights the grave danger of allowing sinful thoughts, desires, or rationalizations to fester and strengthen within us, rather than immediately bringing them before God in confession and repentance. For those who feel targeted by unseen malice, secret plots, or underhanded schemes, this verse offers immense comfort and reassurance: God sees every hidden scheme, every whispered conspiracy, and every trap laid in the dark. Our confidence should not be in our own limited ability to uncover these plots, but in God's perfect omniscience and His unwavering commitment to justice. Ultimately, this verse calls us to live transparently and authentically before God, knowing that true freedom and peace come from walking in the light, rather than attempting to hide anything from the One who sees all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle or overt ways might I "encourage myself in an evil matter" through rationalization, justification, or deliberate cultivation of sinful thoughts or desires?**
* **Do I ever act or speak as if God does not see my hidden intentions, secret deeds, or private thoughts, and how might I cultivate a more profound and consistent awareness of His omnipresence?**
* **How does the unwavering assurance that God sees all hidden plots and intentions bring comfort, hope, or challenge to my current circumstances and relationships?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater transparency, integrity, and authenticity in my life, both before God and others, knowing that nothing is truly hidden from Him?**

### FAQ
**Why do the wicked believe they are unseen, despite God's omniscience?**

Answer: The wicked's belief that they are unseen stems from a profound spiritual blindness, deep-seated arrogance, and often, a deliberate desire to escape accountability. This dangerous delusion is rooted in a practical atheism, where even if God's existence is nominally acknowledged, His active involvement, perfect knowledge, or imminent judgment of human affairs is effectively denied or ignored. They project their own limited human perception onto the divine, falsely assuming that because their plots are hidden from human eyes, they are thereby hidden from all eyes, including God's. This self-deception allows them to pursue their malicious intentions without immediate fear of consequence, fostering a false sense of security and impunity. It is a fundamental and perilous error that the Bible consistently refutes, emphasizing that God's eyes "run to and fro throughout the whole earth" as declared in [2 Chronicles 16:9](/2_chronicles/16-9 "2 Chronicles 16:9 - God's All-Seeing Eyes") and that "there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account" in [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Exposed to God").

**How does God respond to those who plot evil in secret?**

Answer: God's response to those who plot evil in secret is multifaceted, encompassing both His perfect knowledge and His righteous judgment and vindication. Firstly, as the psalmist powerfully implies, He sees and knows every hidden detail, every whispered conspiracy, and every secret intention. Secondly, God frequently orchestrates events to turn the wicked's own devices against them, causing them to fall into the very traps they meticulously set for others, a principle vividly illustrated in [Psalms 7:15-16](/psalms/7-15-16 "Psalm 7:15-16 - The Wicked's Own Pit") and [Psalms 9:15-16](/psalms/9-15-16 "Psalm 9:15-16 - The Wicked Snared by Their Own Hands"). Thirdly, God ultimately brings all hidden deeds to light, whether in this life through providential exposure or definitively on the Day of Judgment, ensuring that all secret things are revealed and every hidden counsel of the heart made known, as promised in [Luke 12:2](/luke/12-2 "Luke 12:2 - Nothing Hidden"). This public exposure often brings profound shame and ruin to the wicked, while simultaneously vindicating the righteous. God's perfect justice ensures that no secret sin goes unaddressed and no hidden plot remains unpunished in His sovereign timing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 64:5, with its stark portrayal of hidden evil and the wicked's profound delusion of unseen operations, finds its ultimate fulfillment, resolution, and comprehensive answer in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the divine Son of God, who perfectly embodies the omniscience of the Father, seeing not only the outward actions but also the deepest intentions, secret plots, and hidden counsels of the human heart. While the wicked in Psalm 64:5 plot in darkness, Jesus is the very [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World") who exposes all darkness, revealing that "nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known" as proclaimed in [Luke 12:2](/luke/12-2 "Luke 12:2 - Nothing Hidden"). His own earthly life was a profound testament to enduring countless hidden conspiracies, malicious accusations, and "snares" meticulously laid by religious and political enemies, yet He perfectly submitted to God's will, ultimately triumphing over all principalities and powers, disarming them and making a public spectacle of them by His victory on the cross, as described in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers"). Furthermore, Christ is the righteous and ultimate Judge who will one day bring every secret thing into judgment, revealing the hidden counsels of the heart before His throne, as affirmed in [Romans 2:16](/romans/2-16 "Romans 2:16 - God Judges Secret Deeds Through Christ"). Thus, the psalmist's profound confidence in God's ultimate justice against hidden evil is fully realized and perfectly demonstrated in the person and redemptive work of Jesus, who both exposes the darkness of sin and offers refuge, vindication, and eternal life to all who trust in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 140:5

The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.

Psalms 10:11

He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see [it].

Psalms 94:7

Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard [it].

Job 22:13

And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?

Ezekiel 8:12

Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.

Psalms 59:7

Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords [are] in their lips: for who, [say they], doth hear?

Psalms 124:7

Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.