Psalms 64:5

“They encourage themselves [in] an evil matter, etc.] Or “strengthen him” f847; that is, Saul, by making use of arguments and reasonings to induce him to go on in his wicked persecution of David; or they strengthened and hardened themselves in their wickedness, as Saul’s courtiers and the enemies of Christ did, and as all wicked men do, when they observe the sentence against them is not speedily executed, (<210811>Ecclesiastes 8:11); they commune of laying snares privily; that is, they conversed together, and consulted how to lay snares for the perfect man in the most private manner, that they might entrap him and destroy him; they say, who shall see them? either the snares laid, or the…”

“A sentiment here more fully presented, by depicting their deliberate malice.”

“They encourage themselves - literally, they strengthen themselves, or make themselves strong. That is, they take counsel; they encourage each other; they urge one another forward; they suggest to each other methods by which what they purpose may be done, and by which difficulties may be overcome. This was a part of their “secret counsel” or their consultation, Psalms 64:2. In an evil matter - Margin, as in Hebrew, speech. The reference is to their purpose or plan. They strengthen themselves for doing what they know to be a wrong or wicked thing. They commune - literally, they tell or speak. That is, they tell each other how it may be done, or suggest different methods by which it may be…”

“encourage: Exo 15:9; Num 22:6; Pro 1:11-14; Isa 41:6; Rev 11:10 matter: or, speech. commune: Sa1 23:19-23; Mat 23:15, Mat 26:3, Mat 26:4 of laying snares: Heb. to hide snares, Psa 124:7, Psa 140:5 Who: Psa 10:11, Psa 59:7, Psa 94:7; Eze 8:12 Psalms 64:6”

“The evil speech is one with the bitter speech in Psa 64:4, the arrow which they are anxious to let fly. This evil speech, here agreement or convention, they make firm to themselves (sibi), by securing, in every possible way, its effective execution. ספּר (frequently used of the cutting language of the ungodly, Psa 59:13; Psa 69:27; cf. Talmudic ספּר לשׁון שׁלישׁי, to speak as with three tongues, i.e., slanderously) is here construed with ל of that at which their haughty and insolent utterances aim. In connection therewith they take no heed of God, the all-seeing One: they say (ask), quis conspiciat ipsis. There is no need to take למו as being for לו (Hitzig); nor is it the dative of the…”