Table of Contents
Historical Background and Context
Psalm 64 is a prayer of David for protection from hidden enemies who use slander and conspiracy as their weapons. The psalm does not link itself to a specific historical event, but its themes resonate with many moments in David’s life. He was constantly a target of malicious plots and treacherous words, from the slanderous reports in King Saul’s court (like those from Doeg the Edomite) to the sophisticated political conspiracy of Absalom and Ahithophel.
This psalm gives voice to the anxiety and dread felt by anyone who is the victim of a secret plot. It is a prayer for someone who knows they are being targeted by a whispering campaign, by lies told in the shadows, and by schemes designed to bring about their ruin. David, feeling vulnerable to these unseen attacks, turns to the only one who sees all secrets and can bring all plots to nothing: the living God.
Theological Themes
This concise psalm is a powerful lesson in trusting God in the face of hidden dangers and highlights several key theological truths.
The Destructive Power of Words: The psalm vividly portrays the tongue as a deadly weapon. The wicked “sharpen their tongues like swords” and aim their “cruel words like deadly arrows” (verse 3). This imagery is not an exaggeration. Slander, lies, and conspiracy can destroy reputations, relationships, and even lives. The psalm takes the sin of malicious speech with the utmost seriousness.
God as a Shield from Secret Dangers: David’s first response is to pray. He asks God to “hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked” (verse 2). He recognizes that he cannot defend himself against plots he cannot see or lies he cannot hear. His only hope is to seek refuge in God, who is omniscient and can protect him from both open and secret attacks.
The Irony of Divine Justice: The central theme of the psalm is poetic justice. The wicked are masters of the ambush, shooting their arrows of slander from a hidden place. The psalmist reveals that God is the ultimate archer. He will turn the tables on them, shooting His own arrow and striking them down suddenly (verse 7). Furthermore, their own weapon—their tongue—will become the cause of their ruin (verse 8). God’s judgment perfectly fits their crime.
The Public Vindication of God’s Righteousness: God’s judgment is not carried out in secret. It is a public event with a clear purpose: to teach a watching world. When people see the sudden downfall of the wicked plotters, they will “fear,” recognize it as the “work of God,” and tell others about it (verse 9). God’s justice serves as a powerful testimony to His sovereignty and righteousness, which in turn brings joy and security to the faithful.
Literary Structure and Genre
Psalm 64 is a lament psalm that moves quickly from a plea for help to a confident expression of trust in God’s judgment. Its structure is a clear, two-part drama.
- Part 1: The Conspiracy of the Wicked (verses 1-6): This section details the psalmist’s complaint. He describes the secret plot, the weaponization of words, and the arrogant confidence of his enemies.
- Part 2: The Judgment of God (verses 7-10): This section describes God’s sudden and decisive intervention. It details the dramatic reversal of fortunes, the public reaction of awe, and the joyful response of the righteous.
Verse by Verse Commentary on Psalm 64
Verses 1-6: The Secret Plot of the Enemy
“Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy. Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the plots of evildoers. They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows. They shoot from ambush at the innocent; they shoot suddenly, without fe1ar. They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, ‘Who will see 2us?’ They plot injustice and say, ‘We have devised a perfect plan!’ Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.”
The psalm opens with an urgent plea. David brings his formal “complaint” before God, asking for protection not just from the enemy, but from the “threat” (or dread) of the enemy—the constant anxiety that comes from being a target. He asks God to hide him from a secret “conspiracy.“
Verses 3 and 4 describe the enemy’s tactics. Their primary weapons are words. They “sharpen their tongues like swords,” preparing their slander with care. They aim “cruel words like deadly arrows.” Their attack is cowardly and sudden. They hide “from ambush” to shoot at an innocent person, feeling no fear of being caught or held accountable.
Verses 5 and 6 reveal the depth of their conspiracy. They are a united group, encouraging one another in their evil plans. They are arrogant and confident in their secrecy, asking, “Who will see us?” They are meticulous in their plotting, believing they have devised a “perfect plan.” The psalmist marvels at the cunning and complexity of the human heart when it is bent on evil.
Verses 7-10: The Sudden Reversal of God
“But God will shoot them with his arrows; they will be struck down in a moment. He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake their heads in scorn. All people will fear; they will proclaim the work of God and ponder what he has done. The righteous will rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory.”
Verse 7 is the dramatic turning point of the psalm, introduced by the word “But…” While the wicked are busy with their perfect plan, God acts. They shot their arrows of slander; “God will shoot them with his arrows.” His judgment is sudden and unexpected—”in a moment.” The ambushers are themselves ambushed by God.
Verse 8 describes the beautiful irony of their downfall. “He will turn their own tongues against them.” The very instrument of their power and pride becomes the cause of their ruin. Perhaps their lies are exposed, or their own words incriminate them, or they turn on one another. The result is public disgrace. All who see their fate will “shake their heads in scorn.“
This public judgment has a profound effect on everyone who witnesses it. Verse 9 states that “All people will fear.” This is not a terrified fright, but a reverent awe. They will see the event and immediately recognize it as the “work of God.” God’s justice becomes a powerful sermon that causes people to stop and ponder His mighty deeds.
The psalm ends in verse 10 by describing the reaction of the faithful. “The righteous will rejoice in the LORD.” Their joy is not in the destruction of the wicked, but in the triumph of God’s justice and their own vindication. This experience deepens their trust, and they “take refuge in him” with renewed confidence. All the “upright in heart” will glory, not in themselves, but in their great and righteous God.
Practical Lessons for Today
Bring Your Fears to God: When you are the target of gossip, slander, or unfair criticism, the feeling of dread can be overwhelming. David’s first action was to voice his complaint to God. We too can find protection from fear by laying our anxieties before our heavenly Father.
Words are Powerful; Use Them Carefully: This psalm is a stark reminder that words can be used as weapons to destroy people. It challenges us to examine our own speech. Do we use our tongues to build up and encourage, or to tear down with criticism and gossip?
Trust in God’s Ultimate Justice: It often seems like liars and manipulators get away with their schemes. This psalm gives us confidence that no plot is secret from God. He is a just judge who will, in His own time, turn the tables on the wicked. We can be patient and trust Him to bring everything into the light.
God’s Vindication is a Testimony: When we see God at work, bringing justice to a situation, it is an opportunity for worship and witness. We should, like the people in the psalm, “proclaim the work of God” so that others can see His power and righteousness and be drawn to Him.
Cross References
Psalm 52:2: “You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor.” This psalm, written about the slanderer Doeg the Edomite, uses similar imagery to describe the tongue as a destructive, weapon-like instrument.
Jeremiah 9:8: “Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully. With their mouths they all speak cordially to their neighbors, but in their hearts they set traps for them.” The prophet Jeremiah uses the exact same metaphor as Psalm 64, describing the tongue as a deadly arrow used in a deceptive ambush.
Proverbs 26:27: “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.” This proverb states the principle of poetic justice that is so vividly illustrated in Psalm 64:8, where the wicked are brought to ruin by their own schemes.
James 3:6: “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” The New Testament book of James gives a powerful and extensive teaching on the immense destructive potential of the tongue, confirming the serious view of malicious speech found in Psalm 64.