That they may shoot in secret at the perfect; or, in their hiding places . David does not scruple to call himself "perfect," using the word in the sense in which it is used of Job ( Job 1:1 ; Job 2:3 ), meaning a sincere and upright man. Suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. They are not afraid, though it is "the anointed of the Lord," whom to attack is not only rebellion, but sacrilege (see 2 Samuel 1:14 ). read more
Who whet their tongue like a sword - Who sharpen their tongue; that is, they utter words that will cut deep, or penetrate the soul. The idea is that of slander or reproach - the same idea which we have in Shakespeare (Cymbeline):“‘Tis slander;Whose edge is sharper than the sword.”This comparison is a favorite one with David. Compare Psalms 52:2; Psalms 57:4; Psalms 59:7.And bend their bows ... - That is, they prepare for this - as they make ready to shoot who bend their bows, and fix their... read more
That they may shoot in secret - From an unobserved quarter; from a place where they are so concealed that it cannot be known where the arrows come from. There was a purpose to ruin him, and at the same time to conceal themselves, or not to let him know from what source the ruin came. It was not an open and manly fight, where he could see his enemy, but it was a warfare with a concealed foe.At the perfect - At the upright; at one who is perfect so far as his treatment of them is concerned.... read more
Psalms 64:1-4. Preserve my life from fear That is, from danger: the act or passion of fear being often put for its object, danger, as Psalms 14:5; 1 Peter 3:14, and frequently elsewhere. Hide me from the secret counsels of the wicked That is, from the ill effects of their plots against me. Who shoot their arrows Of which phrase, see notes on Psalms 58:7. Even bitter words Slanderous and pernicious speeches against me. That they may shoot in secret Lying in ambush, or hiding... read more
Psalms 61-64 Longing for GodFar from home, weary, depressed and in danger, David seeks refuge and refreshment with God. He trusts that God will bring him safely back to Jerusalem and give him the strength to carry out his promise to lead God’s people in God’s ways (61:1-5). The people with him add their support to his request (6-7), and David responds that he will always remain faithful to his task (8).God alone is the strength of David’s assurance (62:1-2). David’s enemies think they can ruin... read more
shoot. fear. Figure of speech Paronomasia. Hebrew. yoruhu. . yira'u. read more
Psalms 64:3. Bend their bows, &c.— Direct their arrows, &c. read more
Psalms 64:4. At the perfect— The upright man. Houbigant and Mudge. David gives himself this high appellation, as referring to his integrity and uprightness; his perfect innocence of the crimes which his calumniators urged against him. read more
3, 4. Similar figures for slander (Psalms 57:4; Psalms 59:7). bend—literally, "tread," or, "prepared." The allusion is to the mode of bending a bow by treading on it; here, and in Psalms 59:7- :, transferred to arrows. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 64:3
Bitter words. Of the ten commandments, two are directed against sins of speech —one against profane words concerning God; the other against slanderous words concerning our neighbours. No sins are apt to be thought more lightly of than sins of the tongue; yet no sins are more severely and constantly denounced in Scripture. Probably no class of sins does more mischief in the world. Our words are spoken of as the special object of Divine knowledge ( Psalms 139:4 ). The sinfulness of "... read more