Psalm 64:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 64:1-6

David, in these verses, puts in before God a representation of his own danger and of his enemies? character, to enforce his petition that God would protect him and punish them. I. He earnestly begs of God to preserve him (Ps. 64:1, 2): Hear my voice, O God! in my prayer; that is, grant me the thing I pray for, and this is it, Lord, preserve my life from fear of the enemy, that is, fro the enemy that I am in fear of. He makes request for his life, which is, in a particular manner, dear to him,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 64:3

Who whet their tongue like a sword ,.... Use cutting, wounding, killing, and devouring words; on which they set an edge, and make them keener and keener to hurt and ruin the characters and reputations of good men, and grieve and distress their minds; and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words ; such are the these doctrines of heretical men, which are roots of bitterness, that defile some and trouble others; such are the oaths and curses of profane sinners, whose... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 64:3

Who whet their tongue like a sword - They devise the evil they shall speak, and meditate on the most provoking, injurious, and defamatory words; as the soldier whets his sword that he may thereby the better cut down his enemies. Their arrows - bitter words - Their defamatory sayings are here represented as deadly as poisoned arrows; for to such is the allusion here made. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 64:3

Verse 3 3For they have whetted their tongue like a sword His enemies, in their rage, aimed at nothing less than his life, and yet what he complains of, more than all beside, is the poison with which their words were imbued. It is probable that he refers to the calumnious reports which he knew to be falsely spread to his discredit, and with a view of damaging his reputation with the people. Their tongues he likens to swords; their bitter and venomous words to arrows. (440) And when he adds,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 64:1-10

Two strophes of four verses each ( Psalms 64:1-4 , Psalms 64:7-10 ) are separated by one of two verses ( Psalms 64:5 , Psalms 64:6 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 64:1-10

Man's inhumanity to man. I. DRIVING THE GODLY MAN TO PRAYER . We see many evils we cannot remedy. They move our pity, they stir our indignation. Perhaps we argue and remonstrate; perhaps in a moment of generous impulse we may try our hand at redress. But how little can we do! and our best efforts not only fail, but may even bring ourselves and others into greater trouble ( Exodus 2:11-14 ). In our grief and despair we turn to God; his ear is ever open to the cry of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 64:1-10

Danger and faith. The psalm was probably written by David at the court of Saul. I. DANGER . ( Psalms 64:2-6 .) 1 . To character . From slander. 2 . To life . ( Psalms 64:1 .) From secret plots and conspiracies. II. FAITH IN GOD . 1 . Expressed in prayer for protection . 2 . That God will destroy the plots of his enemies . ( Psalms 64:7 , Psalms 64:8 .) "The Divine judgment is now painted as if actually fulfilling itself before the very... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 64:3

Who whet their tongue like a sword (comp. Psalms 55:21 ; Psalms 57:4 ; Psalms 59:7 ). And bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words (comp. Psalms 11:2 ; Psalms 57:4 ). Calumny was what David especially feared, and what actually brought about his downfall (see 2 Samuel 15:2-6 ). The "bitterness" of his enemies is further emphasized by the speeches and curses of Shimei ( 2 Samuel 16:5-13 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 64:3

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

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