Psalms 64:3

_WHO WHET THEIR TONGUE LIKE A SWORD, AND BEND THEIR BOWS TO SHOOT THEIR ARROWS, EVEN BITTER WORDS:_ Who whet their tongue like a sword - (Psalms 57:4; Psalms 59:7.) Not mere common slanders; but those which aim at the destruction of the slandered person, as was the case in the slanders directed by Saul and his faction against the destruction of the slandered person, as was the case in the slanders directed by Saul and his faction against David....

3_For they have whetted their tongue like a sword _His enemies, in their rage, aimed at nothing less than his life, and yet what he complains of, more than all beside, is the poison with which their words were imbued. It is probable that he refers to the calumnious reports which he knew to be falsely spread to his discredit, and with a view of damaging his reputation with the people. _Their tongues _he likens to _swords; their bitter and venomous words _to _arrows. _(440) And when he adds, that, _they shoot against the upright and innocent, _he is to be considered as contrasting his integrity with their unprincipled conduct. It inspired him with confidence in his religious addresses, to know that he could exonerate his own conscience from guilt, and that he was the object of undeserved attack by worthless and abandoned men. In mentioning that _they shoot secretly _and suddenly,...

1-6 The psalmist earnestly begs of God to preserve him from disquieting fear. The tongue is a little member, but it boasts great things. The upright man is the mark at which the wicked aim, they cannot speak peaceably either of him or to him. There is no guard against a false tongue. It is bad to do wrong, but worse to encourage ourselves and one another in it. It is a sign that the heart is hardened to the greatest degree, when it is thus fully set to do evil. A practical disbelief of God's knowledge of all things, is at the bottom of every wickedness. The benefit of a good cause and a good conscience, appears most when nothing can help a man against his enemies, save God alone, who is always a present help....

Verse Psalms 64:3. _WHO WHET THEIR TONGUE LIKE A SWORD_] They _devise_ the evil they shall speak, and meditate on the most provoking, injurious, and _defamatory words_; as the soldier _whets_ his sword that he may thereby the better cut down his enemies. _THEIR ARROWS - BITTER WORDS_] Their defamatory sayings are here represented as deadly as _poisoned arrows_; for to such is the allusion here made....

WHO WHET THEIR TONGUE LIKE A SWORD - Who sharpen their tongue; that is, they utter words that will cut deep, or penetrate the soul. The idea is that of slander or reproach - the same idea which we have in Shakespeare (Cymbeline): “‘Tis slander; Whose edge is sharper than the sword.” This comparison is a favorite one with David. Compare Psalms 52:2; Psalms 57:4; Psalms 59:7. AND BEND THEIR BOWS ... - That is, they prepare for this - as they make ready to shoot who bend their bows, and fix their arrows on the s

EXPOSITION AT a time of great danger from domestic enemies, who threaten insurrection (Psalms 64:2), the psalmist first complains to God, and entreats his aid (Psalms 64:1); after which he boldly denounces his foes, and threatens them with discomfiture (Psalms 64:7, Psalms 64:8). Finally, he draws a lesson from their fate, of warning to men in general (Psalms 64:9), and of encouragement to the righteous (Psalms 64:10). The author is probably David,

WHO WHET THEIR TONGUE LIKE A SWORD,.... Use cutting, wounding, killing, and devouring words; on which they set an edge, and make them keener and keener to hurt and ruin the characters and reputations of good men, and grieve and distress their minds; [AND] BEND [THEIR BOWS TO SHOOT] THEIR ARROWS, [EVEN] BITTER WORDS; such are the these doctrines of heretical men, which are roots of bitterness, that defile some and trouble others; such are the oaths and curses of profane sinners, whose mouths are full of cursing and bitterness; and such are the blasphemies of antichrist against God, against his tabernacle, and against them that dwell therein; and such are the hard speeches spoken by ungodly sinners against Christ and his people; these are like arrows shot from a bow, and full of deadly poison. The Targum is "they stretch out their bows, they anoint their arrows with deadly and bitter poi...

Psalms 64 The Wicked and their End _ 1. The power of the wicked displaced (Psalms 64:1)_ 2. Their sudden end (Psalms 64:7) This Psalm stands in contrast with the preceding ones. The outward circumstances, the deeds and power of the wicked, are seen again. But suddenly the Lord will act and strike down the wicked. He will avenge His own elect, who cry day and night unto Him. (See Luke 18:1. The widow in this parable is the godly Israelitish remnant.)...

LXIV. PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN AGAINST TREACHEROUS FOES. Psalms 64:6. The text needs correction. We may read, They plan evil deeds: they have hidden a well-devised plot, for the inner man is incurable and their heart is deep. Psalms 64:8. Read, He shall make them stumble because of their tongue....

Prayer for preservation from malicious enemies, who are plotting against the Psalmist with subtle treachery and resolute determination....