Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 64:6
They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward [thought] of every one [of them], and the heart, [is] deep.
6. They plan deeds of iniquity; We have perfected (say they) a consummate plan;
And each man’s innermost thought and heart is deep.
The form of the verb is anomalous, and it is uncertain whether it is meant for the first person, or, as A.V. takes it, the third person, ‘they accomplish.’ The first person is however more graphic and forcible. For a similar abrupt introduction of the persons spoken of as speakers, see Psa 59:7. The various reading they have hidden is improbable. They conceal their thoughts deep in their own hearts, but in vain! God explores the lowest depths and most tortuous labyrinths of the human heart (Jer 17:9-10). Cp. with this and the preceding verse Isa 29:15, “Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from Jehovah, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?” and the sarcastic words of Mic 7:3, “Both hands are set to that which is evil to do it well.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
They search out iniquities – They search deep; they examine plans; they rack their invention to accomplish it. The original word – chaphas – is a word which is used to denote the act of exploring – as when one searches for treasure, or for anything that is hidden or lost – implying a deep and close attention of the mind to the subject. So here they examined every plan, or every way which was suggested to them, by which they could hope to accomplish their purpose.
They accomplish – This would be better translated by rendering it, We have perfected it! That is, We have found it out; it is complete; meaning that they had found a plan to their liking. It is the language of self-congratulatlon.
A diligent search – Or rather, The search is a deep search. In other words, The plan is a consummate plan; it is just to our mind; it is exactly what we have sought to find. This, too, is language of self-congratulation and satisfaction at the plan which they had thought of, and which was so exactly to their mind.
Both the inward thought – literally, the inside; that is, the hidden design.
And the heart – The plan formed in the heart; the secret purpose.
Is deep – A deep-laid scheme; a plan that indicates profound thought; a purpose that is the result of consummate sagacity. This is the language of the author of the psalm. He admitted that there had been great talent and skill in the formation of the plan. Hence, it was that he cried so earnestly to God.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 6. They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search] The word chaphash, which is used three times, as a noun and a verb, in this sentence, signifies to strip off the clothes. “They investigate iniquities; they perfectly investigate an investigation.” Most energetically translated by the old Psalter: Thai ransaked wickednesses: thai failled ransakand in ransaking. To ransack signifies to search every corner, to examine things part by part, to turn over every leaf, to leave no hole or cranny unexplored. But the word investigate fully expresses the meaning of the term, as it comes either from in, taken privately, and vestire, to clothe, stripping the man bare, that he may be exposed to all shame, and be the more easily wounded; or from the word investigo, which may be derived from in, intensive, and vestigium, the footstep or track of man or beast. A metaphor from hunting the stag; as the slot, or mark of his foot, is diligently sought out, in order to find whither he is gone, and whether he is old or young, for huntsmen can determine the age by the slot. Tuberville, in his Treatise on Hunting, gives rules to form this judgment, To this the next verse seems to refer.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
They search out iniquities; they study diligently and constantly to find out either matter, which they may lay to my charge, or new ways and means of doing me mischief.
They accomplish a diligent search; they have long and accurately searched, till at last they have ripened and perfected their thoughts, and found out a very cunning and deep plot. Or, they say, We have accomplished our accurate search. By long searching we have at last found what we desired. The heart is deep; mine enemies are not only cruel and malicious, but also very cunning, both to contrive and conceal, and to execute their plots.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6. This is further evinced bytheir diligent efforts and deeply laid schemes.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
They search out iniquities,…. The Targum adds,
“to destroy the just.”
Either occasions against them, by charging them with sin and hiring false witnesses against them, as did the enemies both of David and Christ; they sought for proper time and opportunity of committing the iniquities they were bent upon, and even searched for new sins, being inventors of evil things, Ro 1:30;
they accomplish a diligent search; diligently searched out the perfect man, and found him; and also false witnesses against him, and carried their point; which was especially true with respect to Christ;
both the inward [thought] of everyone [of them], and the heart, [is] deep; being full of cunning, craftiness and wickedness, so as not to be searched out and fully known; see Ps 5:9.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(6) They search out iniquitiesi.e., they plan wicked schemes.
They accomplish a diligent search.See margin, which indicates the difficulty in this clause. The versions and some MSS. also suggest a corruption of the tent. Read They have completed their subtle measures (literally, the planned plan).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
6. They search out iniquities Mentally, and with great labour, they work out plans for accomplishing wicked ends, as Psa 58:2.
They accomplish a diligent search Literally, they have accomplished a search searched out; that is, an exhaustive investigation. But the verb accomplished ( ended, finished) may be taken in the first person plural, as a soliloquy of the conspirators, thus: We have finished a plot thoroughly wrought out! which gives dramatic effect.
Both the inward thought The word “inward,” here, is the same as “ inward part,” Psa 5:9, and is here synonymous with heart, the seat of thought and affection. The inward part of a man, even the heart, is deep. This is the reflection of David after reviewing the conduct of his enemies. See Jer 17:9-10; Psa 19:12; Psa 139:23-24. The preparations of his enemies are ended. The crisis has come. It is now time for God to work.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 64:6. They search out iniquities, &c. They disguise their iniquities, and hide them with deep dissimulation: the inside and heart of every one of them is deep. See Mudge and Schultens.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa 64:6 They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward [thought] of every one [of them], and the heart, [is] deep.
Ver. 6. They search out iniquities ] Abstrusissima quaeque exquisierunt; they search the devil’s skull for new inventions; who is ready enough to lend them his seven heads to plot and his ten horns to push at good people. How wittily wicked was Saul to destroy David, if he could have done it! See his counsel to the Ziphites, 1Sa 23:22 .
They accomplish a diligent search
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
iniquities. Hebrew. ‘aval. App-44.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
search: Psa 35:11, 1Sa 22:9, 1Sa 24:9, 1Sa 25:10, Dan 6:4, Dan 6:5, Mat 26:59, Joh 18:29, Joh 18:30, Joh 19:7
they accomplish: etc. or, we are consumed by that which they have thoroughly searched. a diligent search Heb. a search searched. both. Psa 5:9, Pro 20:5, Isa 29:15, Jer 17:9, Jer 17:10, 1Co 4:5
Reciprocal: Psa 5:10 – let Psa 27:11 – mine enemies Psa 49:11 – Their inward Psa 92:5 – deep Psa 140:2 – imagine Pro 1:11 – let us lay Dan 11:27 – shall be to Luk 14:1 – they Rom 8:39 – depth
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
64:6 They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward [thought] of every one {g} [of them], and the heart, [is] deep.
(g) There is no way so secret and subtle to do hurt, which they did not invent for his destruction.