King James Version
Psalms 64
10 verses with commentary
Hide Me from the Wicked
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.</strong> This opening plea establishes the psalm's context: David faces enemy threats producing fear, and he turns to God for preservation. The imperative "Hear" (<em>shema</em>, שְׁמַע) demands God's attention—not merely auditory reception but active, responsive listening that leads to intervention. The same verb...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **My** **prayer.**—Rather, *my cry, complaint, *as in Psalm 55:2.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
3. The terms describe extreme danger.
**soul--**or, "myself."
**grave--**literally, "hell," as in Psa 16:10.
**hast kept me ... pit--**quickened or revived me from the state of dying (compare Psa 28:1).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 64
Chapter Outline
Prayer for deliverance.(1-6)
The destruction of the wicked, encouragement to the righteous.(7-10)
**Verses 1-6**
The psalmist earnestly begs of God to preserve him from disquieting fear. The tongue is a little member, but it boasts great things. The upright man is the mark at which the wicked aim, they cannot speak peaceably either of him or to him. The...
Read full commentary →Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
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KJV Study Commentary
The plea to 'hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked' reveals that conspiracies operate in darkness. The Hebrew 'sod' (secret counsel/assembly) indicates organized plotting. David's need for divine concealment demonstrates that human wisdom cannot detect or defend against hidden schemes—only God's omniscience and protection suffice.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Secret counsel . . . insurrection**—Better, *secret league *(*sôd*) **. . .** *noisy gathering *(*rigshah*)*. *For *sôd *see Psalm 25:14, and for *rigshah *see Note to Psalm 2:2.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. remembrance--**the thing remembered or memorial.
**holiness--**as the sum of God's perfections (compare Psa 22:3), used as name (Ex 3:15; Psa 135:13).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 64
Chapter Outline
Prayer for deliverance.(1-6)
The destruction of the wicked, encouragement to the righteous.(7-10)
**Verses 1-6**
The psalmist earnestly begs of God to preserve him from disquieting fear. The tongue is a little member, but it boasts great things. The upright man is the mark at which the wicked aim, they cannot speak peaceably either of him or to him. The...
Read full commentary →Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
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KJV Study Commentary
The metaphor of tongues as swords and words as arrows depicts verbal assault as warfare. The Hebrew 'shanan' (sharpen/whet) indicates deliberate preparation, not spontaneous anger. 'Bend their bows' suggests aimed, intentional harm. This anticipates James's teaching on the tongue as a deadly weapon (James 3:5-8), showing that slander requires the same spiritual vigilance as physical warfare.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) For the figure in this and the following verse, see Psalm 10:7; Psalm 11:2; Psalm 52:2; Psalm 57:4; Psalm 59:7.
“’Tis slander.
Whose edge is sharper than the sword.”
SHAKESPEARE.
For the ellipse in “they bend (literally, *tread*) their arrows,” see Psalm 58:7.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5. Relatively, the longest experience of divine anger by the pious is momentary. These precious words have consoled millions.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 64
Chapter Outline
Prayer for deliverance.(1-6)
The destruction of the wicked, encouragement to the righteous.(7-10)
**Verses 1-6**
The psalmist earnestly begs of God to preserve him from disquieting fear. The tongue is a little member, but it boasts great things. The upright man is the mark at which the wicked aim, they cannot speak peaceably either of him or to him. The...
Read full commentary →That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
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KJV Study Commentary
Shooting 'in secret at the perfect' reveals the cowardly nature of slander—attacking from hiding those who walk uprightly. 'Suddenly' indicates unexpected assault, and 'fear not' shows hardened conscience. The targeting of the 'perfect' (Hebrew 'tam'—complete/blameless) demonstrates that righteousness provokes hostility, anticipating persecution of the righteous (2 Timothy 3:12).
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **And fear not.**—These are utterly unscrupulous, fearing neither God nor man.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
6-7. What particular prosperity is meant we do not know; perhaps his accession to the throne. In his self-complacent elation he was checked by God's hiding His face (compare Psa 22:24; 27:9).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 64
Chapter Outline
Prayer for deliverance.(1-6)
The destruction of the wicked, encouragement to the righteous.(7-10)
**Verses 1-6**
The psalmist earnestly begs of God to preserve him from disquieting fear. The tongue is a little member, but it boasts great things. The upright man is the mark at which the wicked aim, they cannot speak peaceably either of him or to him. The...
Read full commentary →They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them? matter: or, speech of: Heb. to hide his snares
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KJV Study Commentary
The wicked encouraging 'themselves in an evil matter' reveals conspiracy's self-reinforcing nature. 'Commune of laying snares privily' indicates shared plotting. Their question 'Who shall see them?' demonstrates practical atheism—assuming no divine accountability. This hubris anticipates the fool's claim 'There is no God' (Psalm 14:1).
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **They encourage themselves.**—Literally, *they strengthen for themselves an evil thing *(or “word,” margin, LXX., and Vulg.,) which evidently means that they take their measures carefully, and are prepared to carry them out resolutely.
**They commune . . .**—Better, *they calculate how they may lay snares privily. *The conspirators carefully and in secret go over every detail of their plot.
*...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
6-7. What particular prosperity is meant we do not know; perhaps his accession to the throne. In his self-complacent elation he was checked by God's hiding His face (compare Psa 22:24; 27:9).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 64
Chapter Outline
Prayer for deliverance.(1-6)
The destruction of the wicked, encouragement to the righteous.(7-10)
**Verses 1-6**
The psalmist earnestly begs of God to preserve him from disquieting fear. The tongue is a little member, but it boasts great things. The upright man is the mark at which the wicked aim, they cannot speak peaceably either of him or to him. The...
Read full commentary →They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep. they: or, we are consumed by that which they have throughly searched a diligent: Heb. a search searched
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KJV Study Commentary
The 'search out iniquities' reveals meticulous plotting. 'They accomplish a diligent search' (literally 'searched search,' intensive Hebrew) shows thoroughness in devising wickedness. Yet 'the inward thought of every one... and the heart, is deep' indicates that plotters underestimate both their own depravity and God's deeper knowledge, demonstrating that sin's depths exceed human comprehension (J...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **They search out iniquities**—*i.e., they plan wicked schemes.*
**They accomplish a diligent search.**—See margin, which indicates the difficulty in this clause. The versions and some MSS. also suggest a corruption of the tent. Read “They have completed their subtle measures” (literally, *the planned plan*)*.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8-11. As in Psa 6:5; 88:10; Is 38:18, the appeal for mercy is based on the destruction of his agency in praising God here, which death would produce. The terms expressing relief are poetical, and not to be pressed, though "dancing" is the translation of a word which means a lute, whose cheerful notes are contrasted with mourning, or (Am 5:16) wailing.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 64
Chapter Outline
Prayer for deliverance.(1-6)
The destruction of the wicked, encouragement to the righteous.(7-10)
**Verses 1-6**
The psalmist earnestly begs of God to preserve him from disquieting fear. The tongue is a little member, but it boasts great things. The upright man is the mark at which the wicked aim, they cannot speak peaceably either of him or to him. The...
Read full commentary →But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. shall they: Heb. their wound shall be
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.</strong> This verse marks the psalm's dramatic pivot from David's fear of enemies (v.1-6) to confident declaration of God's judgment against them. The emphatic "But God" (<em>vayoreym Elohim</em>, וַיֹּרֵם אֱלֹהִים) introduces divine reversal—the enemies have prepared their arrows (v.3-4), but God will shoot His arr...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7, 8) The meaning of these verses is clear. In the moment of their imagined success, their deeply-laid schemes just on the point of ripening, a sudden Divine retribution overtakes the wicked, and all their calumnies, invented with such cunning, fall back on their own heads. But the construction is most perplexing. The text presents a tangled maze of abrupt clauses, which, arranged according to th...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8-11. As in Psa 6:5; 88:10; Is 38:18, the appeal for mercy is based on the destruction of his agency in praising God here, which death would produce. The terms expressing relief are poetical, and not to be pressed, though "dancing" is the translation of a word which means a lute, whose cheerful notes are contrasted with mourning, or (Am 5:16) wailing.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-10**
When God brings upon men the mischiefs they have desired on others, it is weight enough to sink a man to the lowest hell. Those who love cursing, it shall come upon them. Those who behold this shall understand, and observe God's hand in all; unless we do so, we are not likely to profit by the dispensations of Providence. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord; not glad of the ...
Read full commentary →So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
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KJV Study Commentary
Divine reversal appears: 'their own tongue shall make them fall.' The principle of measure-for-measure justice operates—verbal weapons rebound on slanderers. 'All that see them shall flee away' indicates that judgment on the wicked warns observers, serving pedagogical purpose. This anticipates Ananias and Sapphira's fate bringing fear on the church (Acts 5:11).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8-11. As in Psa 6:5; 88:10; Is 38:18, the appeal for mercy is based on the destruction of his agency in praising God here, which death would produce. The terms expressing relief are poetical, and not to be pressed, though "dancing" is the translation of a word which means a lute, whose cheerful notes are contrasted with mourning, or (Am 5:16) wailing.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-10**
When God brings upon men the mischiefs they have desired on others, it is weight enough to sink a man to the lowest hell. Those who love cursing, it shall come upon them. Those who behold this shall understand, and observe God's hand in all; unless we do so, we are not likely to profit by the dispensations of Providence. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord; not glad of the ...
Read full commentary →And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.</strong> This verse describes the universal response to God's judgment on the wicked: reverential fear and acknowledgment of divine justice. "All men" (<em>kol-adam</em>, כָּל־אָדָם) indicates comprehensive witness—not just Israel but humanity generally. God's righteous acts become testi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **For they shall wisely consider.**—Rather, *And they understand his work.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8-11. As in Psa 6:5; 88:10; Is 38:18, the appeal for mercy is based on the destruction of his agency in praising God here, which death would produce. The terms expressing relief are poetical, and not to be pressed, though "dancing" is the translation of a word which means a lute, whose cheerful notes are contrasted with mourning, or (Am 5:16) wailing.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-10**
When God brings upon men the mischiefs they have desired on others, it is weight enough to sink a man to the lowest hell. Those who love cursing, it shall come upon them. Those who behold this shall understand, and observe God's hand in all; unless we do so, we are not likely to profit by the dispensations of Providence. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord; not glad of the ...
Read full commentary →The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.</strong> This concluding verse contrasts the fate of the wicked (judged by God's arrow, v.7) with the destiny of the righteous—gladness, trust, and glory. "The righteous" (<em>tzadik</em>, צַדִּיק) refers to those in right relationship with God through covenant faithfulness. This isn'...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **Shall glory.**—Or, perhaps, *shall shine forth clear, i.e., *shall have their cause acknowledged just. The LXX. and Vulg. seem to have understood it so: “shall be praised.”
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
12. Though "my" is supplied before "glory" it is better as in Psa 16:9, to receive it as used for tongue, the organ of praise. The ultimate end of God's mercies to us is our praise to Him.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-10**
When God brings upon men the mischiefs they have desired on others, it is weight enough to sink a man to the lowest hell. Those who love cursing, it shall come upon them. Those who behold this shall understand, and observe God's hand in all; unless we do so, we are not likely to profit by the dispensations of Providence. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord; not glad of the ...
Read full commentary →