Psalms 64:6

KJV

They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward [thought] of every one [of them], and the heart, [is] deep.

KJV (with Strong's)

They search out {H2664}{H8799)} iniquities {H5766}; they accomplish {H8552}{H8804)} a diligent {H2664}{H8794)} search {H2665}: both the inward {H7130} thought of every one {H376} of them, and the heart {H3820}, is deep {H6013}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

They devise injustice and say, “We have perfected a secret plan.” For the inner man and the heart are mysterious.

American Standard Version

They search out iniquities; We have accomplished, say they, a diligent search: And the inward thought and the heart of every one is deep.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 64:6 profoundly exposes the insidious nature of the wicked's plotting, revealing the meticulous and deep-seated malice that drives their schemes against the righteous. It highlights their diligent, almost obsessive, pursuit of evil, emphasizing that their malevolent intentions are not superficial but originate from the innermost depths of their being, from thoughts and hearts that are profoundly hidden and deceptive. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers posed by human depravity and implicitly sets the stage for God's inevitable judgment upon such concealed wickedness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 64 is a fervent prayer of David, likely uttered in a time of intense persecution and secret plotting by his enemies. The preceding verses vividly describe the wicked's verbal assaults, portraying their tongues as sharpened swords and their bitter words as arrows shot from ambush, aimed at the blameless ([Psalms 64:3](/psalms/64-3 "Psalms 64:3 - The Wicked's Malicious Words")). They conspire in secret, laying snares and boasting of their hidden traps, believing themselves unseen and undiscovered ([Psalms 64:5](/psalms/64-5 "Psalms 64:5 - They Encourage Themselves in an Evil Matter")). Verse 6 then shifts from *what* they do to *how* they do it, delving into the methodology and the internal source of their evil, setting the stage for the swift and decisive divine judgment that follows in verses 7-10, where God suddenly strikes them down with His own arrows.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David, as king and a man of God, frequently faced opposition from within his own court and from external adversaries. The ancient Near East was a realm of political intrigue, conspiracies, and secret alliances. Kings and leaders were often targets of assassination plots or subtle undermining. The language of "searching out iniquities" and "diligent search" reflects the meticulous planning involved in such schemes, often involving spies, informants, and careful observation to find vulnerabilities. The emphasis on the "inward thought" and "heart" being "deep" resonates with a cultural understanding that the heart was the seat of intellect, will, and emotion, implying that the wickedness was not merely external action but rooted in the very core of one's being, making it all the more dangerous and difficult to detect.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the Psalms and broader biblical narrative. It underscores the **pervasive nature of human sin and depravity**, showing that wickedness can be deeply ingrained and meticulously planned, not just impulsive. It highlights the **deceitfulness and hiddenness of the human heart**, echoing the prophetic lament that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" ([Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitful Heart")). Furthermore, it implicitly sets up the theme of **God's omniscience and justice**, as the very depth and hiddenness of the wicked's plots necessitate a God who sees all and judges accordingly. The psalmist's confidence throughout Psalm 64 rests on the conviction that despite the enemies' cunning, God will ultimately expose and punish their hidden evil, bringing about a reversal of fortune and vindication for the righteous.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **search out (Hebrew, _ḥāfśū_):** From the root חָפַשׂ (_ḥāfaś_), meaning "to search, examine, investigate, explore." It conveys a sense of diligent, painstaking inquiry, often with the intent to discover something hidden or to formulate a plan. Here, it implies a deliberate and active pursuit of evil, not merely stumbling into it. They are actively seeking opportunities and methods for wrongdoing.
* **diligent search (Hebrew, _ḥēfeś məḥuppāś_):** This is a rare and emphatic construction, using a noun (_ḥēfeś_, "search, object of search") followed by a passive participle (_məḥuppāś_, "searched out"). It intensifies the idea of "search," conveying an exhaustive, thorough, and intricate investigation. It speaks to the extreme effort and meticulousness the wicked put into devising their evil plans, leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of malice.
* **deep (Hebrew, _ʿāmoq_):** This adjective (עָמֹק, _ʿāmoq_) means "deep, profound, unfathomable." When applied to the "inward thought" and "heart," it signifies that their evil intentions are not superficial or easily discerned. They are deeply rooted in their nature, hidden from human perception, and perhaps even from their own full conscious understanding of their depravity. It suggests a profound level of internal corruption and cunning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They search out iniquities;":** This initial clause establishes the active and intentional nature of the wicked's malevolence. They are not merely tempted by sin; they proactively seek out opportunities and methods to commit evil ("iniquities" or "wickedness"). This implies careful planning and a deliberate choice to engage in wrongdoing.
* **"they accomplish a diligent search:":** This phrase intensifies the previous one, emphasizing the thoroughness and meticulousness of their evil plotting. The repetition and specific Hebrew construction underscore that their schemes are not impulsive or haphazard but are the result of painstaking investigation and careful design. They put significant effort into perfecting their wicked plans.
* **"both the inward [thought] of every one [of them],":** This refers to the innermost part of their being, their secret intentions, their hidden counsel, and their deepest motivations. The KJV's "inward thought" captures the essence of _qereb_ (inner part, midst), pointing to the hidden recesses of their minds where evil is conceived.
* **"and the heart, [is] deep.":** This final clause further elaborates on the profound hiddenness and corruption of their inner being. The "heart" (_lev_) in Hebrew thought is the center of intellect, emotion, and will. To say it is "deep" means their evil is not external or superficial but originates from the very core of who they are, making their malice unfathomable and difficult for humans to uncover.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 64:6 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its message. The phrase "they accomplish a diligent search" uses **hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme effort and meticulousness of the wicked's plotting, suggesting an almost obsessive dedication to their evil designs. The entire verse also relies on **metaphor**, particularly in the declaration that "the heart, is deep." This describes the profound, hidden, and often unfathomable nature of human malice, likening the inner workings of the wicked to a deep, dark abyss. Furthermore, there is a subtle form of **parallelism** between "the inward [thought] of every one [of them]" and "the heart," where both phrases refer to the inner being, reinforcing the idea that their wickedness stems from their very core, not just external circumstances. This combination of devices powerfully illustrates the insidious and deeply rooted nature of the opposition David faces.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 64:6 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of sin and the human heart. It reveals that human depravity is not merely superficial or reactive but can be deeply ingrained, meticulously planned, and hidden from plain sight. This verse underscores the biblical teaching that the heart, apart from divine grace, is capable of profound evil and deception, originating wicked schemes from its innermost depths. It implicitly highlights the necessity of divine omniscience, for if human evil is so "deep" and "diligently searched out" in secret, only an all-knowing God can truly discern and expose it. This understanding of hidden sin sets the stage for God's righteous judgment, assuring believers that no evil, however concealed, escapes His notice.

* [Proverbs 12:2](/proverbs/12-2 "Proverbs 12:2 - A Good Man Obtains Favor from the Lord")
* [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitful Heart")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Are Naked and Open to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 64:6 serves as a powerful reminder for believers to exercise spiritual discernment and to rest in God's sovereign knowledge. In a world where malice often operates behind closed doors, this verse encourages us not to be naive about the depth of human depravity or the cunning strategies of those who oppose righteousness. It calls us to pray for protection from hidden dangers and to trust that even the most meticulously planned and deeply concealed evils are utterly exposed before God. Our confidence is not in our ability to uncover every plot, but in His perfect omniscience and unwavering justice. This should lead us to a deeper reliance on Him, knowing that He sees and will ultimately judge every secret thing, bringing hidden darkness into His light.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "diligent search" of the wicked challenge my assumptions about the nature of evil in the world?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to underestimate the "depth" of sin, either in myself or in others?**
* **How does the truth that God sees the "inward thought" and "deep heart" of every person encourage or convict me?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate spiritual discernment in light of hidden malice?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse imply that all human hearts are inherently evil?**

Answer: While Psalms 64:6 specifically describes the hearts of the wicked who plot against the righteous, it aligns with a broader biblical theme that the unredeemed human heart is indeed prone to sin and capable of profound evil. Passages like [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitful Heart") explicitly state that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick." This verse emphasizes the *depth* and *meticulousness* of that inherent sinfulness when it manifests in active malice. It doesn't mean every person is actively plotting evil at all times, but it speaks to the potential for deep-seated corruption within the unregenerate human nature.

**How can we protect ourselves from such deeply hidden plots?**

Answer: The psalmist's response throughout Psalm 64 is to cry out to God for protection and to trust in His divine intervention. Since human plots are "deep" and "hidden," our primary protection comes from God's omniscience and power. We are called to be spiritually discerning, to pray for wisdom, and to rely on God's sovereign hand. [Proverbs 2:6-8](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6-8 - The Lord Gives Wisdom") reminds us that "the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity." Ultimately, our security is found in trusting that God sees all and will bring justice, as seen in the latter part of Psalms 64 where God suddenly strikes the wicked.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 64:6, with its stark portrayal of the deep-seated and meticulously planned evil of the human heart, finds its ultimate answer and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "deep" heart, full of "iniquities" and "diligent search" for wickedness, is precisely what Christ came to redeem. He, as the Son of God, perfectly fulfilled the role of the righteous sufferer, enduring the very kind of hidden plots and malicious accusations described by David. His enemies, like those in the psalm, "searched out iniquities" against Him, meticulously plotting His betrayal and crucifixion, as recounted in [Matthew 26:3-4](/matthew/26-3 "Matthew 26:3-4 - The Plot Against Jesus"). Yet, unlike human judges who cannot discern the "deep" heart, Jesus demonstrated perfect knowledge of the human heart, knowing the thoughts and intentions of those around Him ([Mark 2:8](/mark/2-8 "Mark 2:8 - Jesus Knows Their Thoughts")). His sacrifice on the cross not only atoned for the superficial sins but plumbed the depths of human depravity, offering redemption for even the most "deeply" rooted wickedness. Furthermore, Christ is the ultimate Judge who will one day expose every hidden thing and bring to light the "counsels of the heart" ([1 Corinthians 4:5](/1_corinthians/4-5 "1 Corinthians 4:5 - Judge Nothing Before the Appointed Time")), ensuring that no "diligent search" for evil will ultimately escape His righteous judgment. Thus, the darkness of Psalms 64:6 is swallowed up by the light of Christ's perfect knowledge, atoning work, and ultimate triumph over all evil.

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

Jeremiah 17:9

The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Jeremiah 17:10

I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.

Daniel 6:4

Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he [was] faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

Daniel 6:5

Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find [it] against him concerning the law of his God.

Matthew 26:59

Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

Psalms 5:9

For [there is] no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part [is] very wickedness; their throat [is] an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

Psalms 35:11

¶ False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge [things] that I knew not.