Psalm 64:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows,

NIV: They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.

NASB: Who have sharpened their tongues like a sword. They aimed bitter speech as their arrows,

CSB: who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim bitter words like arrows,

NLT: They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows.

KJV: Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:

NKJV: Who sharpen their tongue like a sword, And bend their bows to shoot their arrows—bitter words,

David describes his enemies' words as deadly weapons, prepared specifically to cause harm. These men are plotting and scheming against him (Psalm 64:1–2). Their words are not accidents. Nor are their claims true. Rather, these foes speak deliberately to slander David. This plotting may have involved plans for violence (1 Samuel 19:11) or sedition to make people disloyal (2 Samuel 15:6, 13–14). Though many of the threats David faced were physical (1 Samuel 18:11; 23:5; 2 Samuel 21:15), he was also subject to the schemes and slights of others (Psalm 35:15–16).

Just as David's enemy falsely accused him, so the Devil accuses believers day and night before God (Revelation 12:10). Apparently, the Devil has some level of access to God, but he will never topple God from His throne. Job 1:6 reports: "Now there was a day when the [angels] came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them." Satan's attempt was to falsely accuse Job of serving God only for the benefits God was giving him (Job 1:9–10). However, someday the accuser of believers will not be able to hurl another accusation against them, because he will "be thrown down" (Revelation 12:10). The apostle Paul was aware of Satan's evil strategy, He writes in 2 Corinthians 2:11: "We are not ignorant of his designs." Wise believers, like Paul, need to be aware of Satan's plots and schemes (1 Peter 5:8–11). But they do not need to fear him (Ephesians 6:10–18; 1 John 4:4).

David prays for rescue from his enemies. He accuses them of slanderous and evil words, aimed at his own destruction. These men think they are hidden and that their plots will not be uncovered. Yet David trusts that the Lord will expose evil and make an example of these wicked attackers. This is cause for all believers to trust in God and praise Him.

Unlike some psalms which mention God's judgment on David's enemies, this psalm is not explicitly connected to any moment in David's life. Themes of ambush, conspiracy, and lies suggest his experiences with both Saul (1 Samuel 19:11) and Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13–14). This song repeats themes common to David's writing, such as his faith that God will expose his enemies and make examples of them to the world (Psalm 40:3; 52:6–7; 58:10–11).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.