Psalms 64 - Introduction

LXIV.

The situation indicated in this psalm is one that frequently occurs in Israel’s hymn-book. A prey to calumny, the poet for himself, or, more probably, for the community, implores the protection of God, and then suddenly takes up the prophetic strain — persuaded, from the known order of Providence, that retribution must come — and foretells the sudden dissipation of the deeply-laid schemes of those who vex and oppress God’s chosen people.
The last couplet is probably a liturgical addition, and not part of the original poem, which without it divides into three regular stanzas of seven lines.

Title. — See title, Psalms 4.