Bible Commentary

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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 64:6”

They encourage themselves [in] an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them? 5. They encourage &c.] Lit., They make strong for themselves an evil scheme, sparing no pains to make their plot successful. they say ] Lit. they have said, i.e. to themselves; they have made up their … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 64:5”

That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. 4. That they may shoot ] Cp. Psa 11:2. in secret ] R.V., in secret places, as Psa 10:8; Psa 17:12. the perfect ] The upright, blameless man, an epithet often applied to Job (Job 1:1, &c.). … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 64:4”

Who whet their tongue like a sword, [and] bend [their bows to shoot] their arrows, [even] bitter words: 3. Who whet ] R.V., who have whet. For the comparison see Psa 55:21; Psa 57:4; Psa 59:7. and bend &c.] Render, They have aimed as their arrow a bitter scheme. For the peculiar phrase see Psa … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 64:3”

Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: 2. Thou wilt hide me from the secret council of evil doers, From the tumultuous throng of workers of iniquity. i.e. from secret machinations and open attack. The cognate verbs are used together in Psa 2:1-2 ( tumultuously … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 64:2”

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. 1. in my prayer ] R.V., in my complaint. Cp. Psa 55:2; Psa 55:17; 1Sa 1:16. preserve &c.] From the enemy’s terror the alarm which he excites thou wilt guard my … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 64:1”

But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped. 11. But the king ] The connexion is unintelligible unless the king is identified with the Psalmist, whose enemies are destroyed. Cp. Psa 61:6 ff. that sweareth by him … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 63:11”

They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes. 10. They shall fall &c.] Lit., They shall give him over (lit. pour him out) to the power of the sword (Jer 18:21; Eze 35:5). The active verb with indefinite subject is practically equivalent to a passive, ‘He shall be given over’; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 63:10”

But those [that] seek my soul, to destroy [it], shall go into the lower parts of the earth. 9. But those &c.] They, his enemies, who are seeking his life, are emphatically contrasted with himself (Psa 59:15; Psa 56:6). While his path is upward to God, theirs is downward to the depths of Sheol. It … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 63:9”

My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. 8. followeth hard after thee ] Lit., cleaves after thee; cleaves to God (Deu 10:20 &c.) and follows Him (Hos 6:3). Hard = ‘close.’ Cp. Shakespeare, Hamlet, i. 2. 179 “Indeed my lord, it followed hard upon.” thy right hand &c.] Cp. Psa 17:7; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 63:8”