Psalms 64 — with JFB Commentary
The King James text with the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary (1871, public domain) directly beneath the verses it explains. Verses without a JFB note stand alone.
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“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” — John 5:39
1Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
PSALM 64
Psa 64:1-10. A prayer for deliverance from cunning and malicious enemies, with a confident view of their overthrow, which will honor God and give joy to the righteous.
1. preserve ... fear--as well as the danger producing it.
2Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
2. insurrection--literally, "uproar," noisy assaults, as well as their secret counsels.
3Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
3-4. Similar figures for slander (Psa 57:4; 59:7).
bend--literally, "tread," or, "prepared." The allusion is to the mode of bending a bow by treading on it; here, and in Psa 58:7, transferred to arrows.
4That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
5They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
5. A sentiment here more fully presented, by depicting their deliberate malice.
6They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.
6. This is further evinced by their diligent efforts and deeply laid schemes.
7But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
7. The contrast is heightened by representing God as using weapons like theirs.
8So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
8. their ... tongue to fall, &c.--that is, the consequences of their slanders, &c. (compare Psa 10:2; 31:16).
all that see ... away--Their partners in evil shall be terrified.
9And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
9-10. Men, generally, will acknowledge God's work, and the righteous, rejoicing in it, shall be encouraged to trust Him (Psa 58:10).
10The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
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