Psalms 64

Psalms 64:1-10

Deliverance from Powerful Foes Psalms 64:1-10 Another of the psalms dating from Saul’ s persecution. There are two stanzas. Prayer for preservation, Psalms 64:1-6 Insult, sarcasm, and slander still fall to the lot of those who will live godly in this world. Very few of us are safe from poisoned arrows. Because the world is so full of evil men, who are disposed to put the worst construction on every act, we should be constantly on our guard to give no needless cause to the enemy to blaspheme, 2 Samuel 12:14. Daniel gives us an admirable illustration of this, since his enemies had no cause against him, save as it concerned the law of his God, Daniel 6:5. Assurance of divine vindication, Psalms 64:7-10 David felt that God had undertaken to be his champion. His arrows were flying through the air thick and fast. Curses come home to roost, and the overthrow of wickedness by the floating mines set to wreck the righteous, is evidence of God’ s government of the world. Let the righteous look forward with quiet confidence to the time when the world shall be righted, and when the water-pots that are now filled to the brim with tears shall yield the wine of the wedding-feast.

The counsel of the wicked This Psalm probably dates from the Sauline persecutions. The slanders of the tongue, specially mentioned, are very characteristic of that period. There are two strophes: prayer for preservation (Psalms 64:1-6) and assurance of Divine vindication (Psalms 64:7-10).

Psalms 64:1-5. Hide me from the wicked! What a marvellous picture is given here of the whole range of calumny! Insult, sarcasm, slander, innuendos, tale-bearing and suspicion are rife enough in our society and even in Christian society. How fond are we all of hearing and spreading reports of which we have not taken the trouble to ascertain the truth! Sometimes it is a look or a gesture or a shrug of the shoulders, but it may be enough to ruin a man’s reputation.

Psalms 64:6. They search out iniquities If this search is always on foot, how careful and circumspect should we be! (1 Corinthians 10:32). Psalms 64:7-9. All men shall fear God relieves us of the necessity of fighting for ourselves. While the wicked are bending their bows against us (Psalms 64:3), God’s arrow is flying from an unsuspected quarter against them. Curses come home to roost (Psalms 64:8).

Psalms 64:10. The righteous: the upright The Psalm began with the singular (“my voice”: “hide me!”) and ends with the plural. Our experiences enrich the whole Church. And those who trust shall have abundant cause for rejoicing and praise.