Psalms 64:8

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 64:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “So they shall be made to stumble, their own tongue being against them: All that see them shall wag the head.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

So they shall be made to stumble, their own tongue being against them: All that see them shall wag the head.
Psalms 64:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 64

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8So they shall be made to stumble, their own tongue being against them: All that see them shall wag the head.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“So shall they make their own tongue to fall upon themselves, etc.] The evil things they have wished for, threatened unto, and imprecated on others, shall come upon themselves; the curses they have cursed others with shall come upon themselves; the pit they have dug for others, they fall into. So Haman, to whom some apply the psalm, was hanged on the gallows he made for Mordecai; and the accusers of Daniel, to whom others apply it, were cast into the same den of lions they procured for him; and Babylon, who has been drunk with the blood of the saints, shall have blood given her to drink. all that see them shall flee away; not being able to help them, nor to bear the horrible sight, and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“their . . . tongue to fall, &c.--that is, the consequences of their slanders, &c. (compare Psa 10:2; Psa 31:16). all that see . . . away--Their partners in evil shall be terrified.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves - In Psalms 64:3, their tongue is represented as a sword; and here, keeping up the figure, the tongue, as a sword, is represented as falling on them, or as inflicting the wound on themselves which they had intended to inflict on others. This might be rendered, “And they have cast him down; upon them is their own tongue;” or, “Upon them their own tongue has come.” That is, someone would cast them down, and they would fall as if smitten by their own tongue like a sword. It is not said who would do this, but the most natural interpretation is that it would be done by God. The idea is, that the instrument which they had employed to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Flee - Through fear of being involved in their destruction. Psalms 64:10”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“tongue: Psa 59:12, Psa 140:9; Job 15:6; Pro 12:13, Pro 18:7; Mat 21:41; Luk 19:22 all that: Psa 31:11, Psa 52:6; Num 16:34; Sa1 31:3-7; Nah 3:7; Rev 18:4, Rev 18:10 Psalms 64:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification