As followers of Christ, we face countless enemies in this fallen world. Yet the most fearsome are those we cannot see. They plot in secret and sling their slander from the shadows. But thankfully, God grants us refuge even when we are ambushed by wicked words.
The Cry of the Fearful (vv. 1-2)
In Psalm 64, David laments to God in his distress: “Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy” (v. 1). Only God can protect him from the terrible dangers all around: “Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers” (v. 2). Hidden conspiracies become an angry lynch mob. What started with words turns quickly into violence (e.g., Acts 19:23-41). Yet David knows that fear will paralyze him from serving God and doing what is right.
So too, we must face our fears, knowing that that the Christian life is rife with risk: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim 3:12). We strengthen our hearts in Christ to withstand the surprise attacks. We resolve to stand firm, for in the end, “the mouths of liars will be stopped” (Ps 63:11c).
The Whispers of the Wicked (vv. 3-6)
David has many reasons to fear the wicked words of those “who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows” (v. 3). Their tongues are sharpened like swords for battle. Their slurs are notched in the bow like poisoned arrows at the ready.[1] David also fears the enemy’s wicked tactics: “shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear” (v. 4). These spiritual guerillas snipe the righteous from the shadows and do not reveal the location of their next attack. As a warrior, David can withstand a direct assault, but words which fly faster than the arrow will slip through his defenses. So, David fears the enemy’s wicked plotting: “They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, ‘Who can see them?’” (v. 5).[2] They feel invincible in their invisibility, for the blind believe that no one witnesses their treachery. But most of all, David fears their wicked hearts: “They search out injustice, saying, ‘We have accomplished a diligent search.’ For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep” (v. 6). The whispers of the wicked are rooted deep within the human heart (Matt 15:18-19). They look for every unjust advantage and deceive themselves by their conniving (Jer 17:9). Yet God gives David courage in the face of fear. He upholds the blameless and protects his righteous king.
So too, we rest in God when we are ambushed by wicked words. We wait for his vindication when the enemy falsely accuses us. We don’t have the strength to fight whispers in the dark or to convert the arrogant, but God does. We can’t defend our reputation against secrets in the shadows, but God knows every heart, including ours (Jer 17:10). So, we continually entrust ourselves to the one who judges justly and makes all things right in the end (1 Pet 2:21-23). We rely on God’s wisdom to preserve us from the wicked: “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good” (1 Pet 4:19).
The Glory of God’s Judgment (vv. 7-10)
David had earlier cried out for God to hear his voice (Ps 64:1-2). But here, he declares God’s answer as if it has already taken place:[3] “But God shoots his arrow at them; they are wounded suddenly. They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them; all who see them will wag their heads” (vv. 7-8). The schemes of the wicked took a great deal of time and planning (vv. 1-6), but God’s swift response requires only one and a half verses (vv. 7-8a). With poetic justice, the psalmist shows that God is always in control.[4] For the wicked think they have accomplished the perfect plan against the blameless (v. 6b), but the “blameless” will survive (v. 4a). The wicked hide in “ambush” (v. 4a), but God will “hide” the king from secret plots (v. 2a). For though the wicked think that no one can see them (v. 5c), all will one day “see” their downfall (v. 8b). Though they plan in private, God will expose them publicly. He will catch them unprepared just like their victims. For David’s enemies attack him “suddenly” (v. 4b), but God counters even more “suddenly” (v. 7b). David’s enemies aim a barrage of poisoned arrows (vv. 3-4), but God in heaven needs only one (v. 7a).[5] Thus, any who wield their “tongues” as weapons (v. 3a) will find those same “tongues” turned against them (v. 8a).
God’s poetic justice then leads to the praise of his glory among the nations: “Then all mankind fears; they tell what God has brought about and ponder what he has done. Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult!” (vv. 9-10). For the enemies of God are “evildoers” (v. 2b), but one day all will ponder what God has “done” (v. 9c). And those who had no “fear” of God or of God’s people (v. 4b) will surely fear God’s judgment (v. 9a). Those who once talked of secret snares (v. 5b), will tell a different story in the end (v. 9b). For the “heart” of the wicked is deep in its complexity (v. 6c), but the “upright in heart” will exult in God (v. 10c). Thus, the “dread” once feared among God’s people (v. 1b) will be replaced with joy (v. 10a).
Praise God, then, as you follow in the steps of Jesus, for those who spoke evil against our Savior will also persecute his followers (Matt 5:11-12). Do not give in to fear or let the enemy paralyze you from serving God. Instead, find refuge in the God who make all things right in the end. Ponder his marvelous works and tell all the world what he has done. Then, may the righteous rejoice in God and let all the upright in heart exult his name.[6]
Life Application Study:
- Why do you dread those who plot in secret and slander you from the shadows? How can this fear of unknown enemies paralyze you from serving God?
- What happens in your heart when others speak against you? What gospel truths allow you to respond with grace?
- Read Psalm 64 again. Compare the poetic justice of God’s deliverance with the enemy’s assault. What does this mirroring effect convey to the upright in heart?
- How can you practically help others fear the Lord, tell of his marvelous works, and ponder in their hearts what he has done?
- Pray Psalm 64 back to God:
- Preserve my life, O God, from dread of the enemy (v. 1).
- Keep me safe from their secret plots (vv. 2-6).
- Bring them to ruin with poetic justice (vv. 7-8).
- Then, may the righteous rejoice in you, Lord, and claim you as a refuge (vv. 9-10).
[1] “To aim” (darak) literally means, “to tread upon,” for the archer would bend his bow by stepping on one end while he fixed the string in place.
[2] The chiastic structure appears to focus on their secret plotting (see Michael Wilcock, The Message of Psalms: Songs for the People of God, ed. J. A. Motyer, vol. 1, The Bible Speaks Today [InterVarsity Press, 2001], 224).
[3] The Hebrew tense communicates David’s confidence that God’s justice is as good as done.
[4] God’s deliverance mirrors the enemy’s assault.
| The Enemy’s Assault | God’s Deliverance |
| The wicked plot in private (v. 2a), hide in “ambush” (v. 4a), and lay their snares in secret (v. 5b). | God will “hide” the righteous in his “refuge” (v. 2a, 10b) and expose the wicked publicly (v. 9). |
| They claim to “have accomplished [tamnu]” a perfect plan against the innocent (v. 6b). | God protects “the blameless [tam]” (v. 4a) and justifies the righteous (v. 10). |
| They think, “Who can see [raah] them?” (v. 5c). | “All who see [raah] them will wag their heads” (v. 8b). |
| They “whet their tongues [lashonam] like swords, . . . [and] aim bitter words [davar] like arrows [chetzam]” (v. 3). | God “shoots his arrow [chetz] at them” (v. 7a) and turns “their own tongues [lashon] against them” (v. 8a). |
| They shoot [yrh] “at him suddenly [pithom] and without fear [yireh]” (v. 4b). | God “shoots” back [yrh] even more “suddenly [pithom]” (v. 7) and causes all mankind to fear [yireh] him (v. 9a). |
| “They talk of laying snares secretly” (v. 5b). | All will “tell what God has brought about” (v. 9b). |
| They are “doers” of evil (v. 2b). | “All mankind [will] ponder what [God] has done” (v. 9c). |
| “The inward mind and heart [lev] of a man are deep” (v. 6c). | “All the upright in heart [lev] exult!” (v. 10c) as God turns their “dread” (v. 1b) to joy (v. 10a). |
[5] In the words of Charles Spurgeon, “They shoot, and shall be shot. A greater archer than they are shall take sure aim at their hearts. One of his arrows shall be enough, for he never misses his aim” (Spurgeon, Treasury, 2.1:84).
[6] Many see 64:10 as referring to the messianic king in Psalm 63 due to the word pair of “rejoice” and “exult.” “But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult” (Ps 63:11a-b).
