Psalms Chapter 64

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns 10 Verses

What is Psalms 64 about?

One hundred fifty inspired poems and hymns — Israel's prayer book, spanning lament and praise, confession and trust. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint: Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2Hide me from the secret counsel of evil-doers, From the tumult of the workers of iniquity;
3Who have whet their tongue like a sword, And have aimed their arrows, even bitter words,
4That they may shoot in secret places at the perfect: Suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
5They encourage themselves in an evil purpose; They commune of laying snares privily; They say, Who will see them?
6They search out iniquities; We have accomplished, [say they], a diligent search: And the inward thought and the heart of every one is deep.
7But God will shoot at them; With an arrow suddenly shall they be wounded.
8So they shall be made to stumble, their own tongue being against them: All that see them shall wag the head.
9And all men shall fear; And they shall declare the work of God, And shall wisely consider of his doing.
10The righteous shall be glad in Jehovah, and shall take refuge in him; And all the upright in heart shall glory. Psalm 65 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm. A song of David.

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer, etc.] The prayer of the psalmist was vocal and expressed in a mournful manner, with groans and cries, as the word f844 used signifies, and with great ardour and fervency; his condition, by reason of his enemies, being very distressing, and therefore he is very eager and earnest that he might be heard; preserve my life from fear of the enemy; David had his enemies. Saul and his courtiers, and was afraid of them; Christ had his enemies the wicked Jews, who sought his life before the time, and therefore he walked no more in Judea till near the time; and whose human nature was…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“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. (Psa 64:1-10) preserve . . . fear--as well as the danger producing it.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer - The use of the word voice here would seem to imply that this was audible prayer, or that, though alone, he gave utterance to his petitions aloud. We have this same use of the word often in the Psalms, making it probable that even private prayers were uttered in an audible manner. In most cases, when there is no danger of being overheard, or of its being construed as ostentation or Pharisaism, this is favorable to the spirit of secret devotion. Compare the notes at Daniel 6:10. The word here rendered prayer means properly speech, discourse; then, complaint; then, meditation. It…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 6
“Iniquities - They study diligently, to find new ways of doing mischief. Deep - Cunning, both to contrive and conceal, and to execute their plots. Psalms 64:8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“Ps 64 This lament decries the destructive plots and arrogant attitude of the wicked (64:1-6). The psalmist turns to God in prayer and takes heart in God’s justice because whatever the wicked do will be undone by the righteous judge. The godly will rejoice and grow in wisdom as they reflect on God’s mighty acts. 64:1-6 These verses form a prayer for rescue from bold and powerful liars.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“am 2943, bc 1061 Hear: Psa 27:7, Psa 55:1, Psa 55:2, Psa 130:1, Psa 130:2, Psa 141:1, Psa 143:1-3; Lam 3:55, Lam 3:56 preserve: Psa 17:8, Psa 17:9, Psa 31:13-15, Psa 34:4, Psa 56:2-4; Act 18:9, Act 18:10, Act 27:24 Psalms 64:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“The Psalm opens with an octostich, and closes in the same way. The infinitive noun שׂיח signifies a complaint, expressed not by the tones of pain, but in words. The rendering of the lxx (here and in Psa 55:3) is too general, ἐν τῷ θέεσθαί με. The "terror" of the enemy is that proceeding from him (gen. obj. as in Deu 2:15, and frequently). The generic singular אויב is at once particularized in a more detailed description with the use of the plural. סוד is a club or clique; רגשׁה (Targumic = המון, e.g., Eze 30:10) a noisy crowd. The perfects after אשׁר affirm that which they now do as they have before done;…”
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