Psalms 64

Psalms 64:1

Psalm 64: Bows and ArrowsTwo archery contests emerge in Psalms 64. The preliminary event is between the wicked and the righteous (vv. 1-6). The main event is between God and the wicked (vv. 7-10). 64:1-6 The first battle seems to be completely one-sided. The righteous David is opposed by a multitude of villains. He has no arrows; their quivers are full. But he has the secret weapon of prayer and he uses it to enlist the help of his unseen Partner. First, he raises his voice to God for preservation from fear and for protection from the secret plots of the wicked. Then he gives God an intelligence report about the enemy.

Their tongues are finely honed, as sharp as a sword. They bend their bows to shoot their arrows of accusationbitter words of reproach. Their attacks come unexpectedly from secret hide-outs and without fear of a counterattack. They are inflexible in their determination to destroy the innocent. As they conspire to trap the psalmist secretly, they imagine that they are immune from detection. “They have thought their plan out well, each with a cunning heart, each in his deep craft” (v. 6, Moffatt). 64:7 Everything seems to be on the side of the villains so far. But the righteous cling to the promise, “The Lord will fight for you while you hold your peace” (Exo_14:14). “For the battle is not yours but God’s” (2Ch_20:15). 64:8 So in the second contest we see God shooting His arrow (singular) at them. It’s a bull’s-eye. They fall wounded to the ground. God causes their evil words to recoil on themselves, and all the spectators flee away in terror. 64:9, 10 The result is that a sense of awe comes over the populace. Word spreads quickly, and men realize that righteousness has triumphed. This causes righteous people to be glad, of course, and to trust in Jehovah. All those who love what is right will celebrate.