The theme of this Psalm is God's judgement upon the enemies of the righteous. It falls into two main divisions, in each of which the verses are arranged in pairs. i. The Psalmist confidently appeals to God for protection against the secret plots and open attacks of evil-doers (Psalms 64:1-2), who a... [ Continue Reading ]
_in my prayer_ R.V., in my complaint. Cp. Psalms 55:2; Psalms 55:17; 1 Samuel 1:16. _preserve_&c. From the enemy's terror the alarm which he excites thou wilt guard my life (Psalms 12:7; Psalms 61:7). The common rendering of the verbs in this and the following line as imperatives (-preserve" -hide")... [ Continue Reading ]
Prayer for preservation from malicious enemies, who are plotting against the Psalmist with subtle treachery and resolute determination.... [ Continue Reading ]
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 Psalms 2:1-2 (_tumultuously assemble_, R.V. marg.; _take counsel_). Cp. Psalms 31:13. The same words occ... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who whet_ R.V., who have whet. For the comparison see Psalms 55:21; Psalms 57:4; Psalms 59:7. _and bend_&c. Render, They have aimed as their arrow a bitter scheme. For the peculiar phrase see Psalms 58:7. _Dâbâr_seems to mean _scheme_as in Psalms 64:5, rather than _speech_, or _words_. So the LXX... [ Continue Reading ]
_That_they _may shoot_ Cp. Psalms 11:2. _in secret_ R.V., in secret places, as Psalms 10:8; Psalms 17:12. _the perfect_ The upright, blameless man, an epithet often applied to Job (Job 1:1, &c.). Cp. Psalms 37:37; Proverbs 29:10, and see note on the cognate word in Psalms 15:2. _fear not_ They nei... [ Continue Reading ]
_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 minds that there is no retributive Providence in the world. This is the reason of their unrestrai... [ Continue Reading ]
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 per... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore God shoots at them with an arrow; Suddenly are they smitten. The peculiar idiom of the Heb. in this and the following verses conveys the idea that this judgement is the immediate consequence of their conduct, and though still future, is as certain as though it were already historical fac... [ Continue Reading ]
They may scheme, but in the midst of their schemes the arrow of divine judgement pierces them: by this exhibition of God's justice all men are warned, and the righteous are encouraged.... [ Continue Reading ]
_So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves_ An untenable rendering of an obscure sentence. It is best to render, substantially as R.V., And they are made to stumble, their own tongue being against them. Lit. _they make him stumble:_the plural subject to the verb suggesting, as in P... [ Continue Reading ]
_all men_ Upon men in general (cp. Psalms 58:11) this judgement produces an impression of wholesome fear, in contrast to the profane fearlessness of the ungodly (Psalms 64:4). And they declare the work of God, And understand his operation: publicly acknowledging that He rules in the world, and in... [ Continue Reading ]
For _the righteous_and _the upright in heart_the Psalmist and those whom he represents the judgement is an occasion of joy, supplying a fresh proof that Jehovah governs the world righteously and that in Him they have a sure refuge. Cp. Psalms 5:11; Psalms 52:6 ff; Psalms 58:10 f; Psalms 63:11. _and... [ Continue Reading ]