Psalms 64:4

_THAT THEY MAY SHOOT IN SECRET AT THE PERFECT: SUDDENLY DO THEY SHOOT AT HIM, AND FEAR NOT._ That they may shoot in secret at the perfect - like night murderers waylaying the unwary traveler (Psalms 10:8). SUDDENLY DO THEY SHOOT AT HIM - when he least suspects danger. AND FEAR NOT - God and His coming judgment; cf. Psalms 64:9 on the contrary (Psalms 55:19)....

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 64:4. _THAT THEY MAY SHOOT IN SECRET_] They _lurk_, that they may take their aim the more surely, and not miss their mark. _SUDDENLY_] When there is no fear apprehended, because none is seen....

THAT THEY MAY SHOOT IN SECRET - From an unobserved quarter; from a place where they are so concealed that it cannot be known where the arrows come from. There was a purpose to ruin him, and at the same time to conceal themselves, or not to let him know from what source the ruin came. It was not an open and manly fight, where he could see his enemy, but it was a warfare with a concealed foe. AT THE PERFECT - At the upright; at one who is perfect so far as his treatment of them is concerned. Compare Psalms 18:20, note; Psalms 18:23, note. SUDDENLY DO THEY SHOOT AT HIM - At an unexpected time, and from an unlooked-for quarter. They accomplish what they intended; they carry out their design....

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,

THAT THEY MAY SHOOT IN SECRET AT THE PERFECT,.... Meaning himself, who though not without sin, and far from perfection in himself, in the sight of God and with respect to his righteous law, which was exceeding broad; and therefore he saw an end of all perfection, and desired that God would not enter into judgment with him; but yet, in the case of Saul, he was quite clear and innocent, and without fault. Likewise the Messiah, of whom David was a type, may be meant; who has all the perfections of the divine and human nature in him, and is without sin, holy, harmless, pure, and undefiled: and it may be applied to the church and people of God, who, though they are not perfect in themselves, far from it, sin being in them, and their graces weak; unless it be in a comparative sense; yet they are perfect in Christ Jesus, their souls being clothed with his righteousness, and so are the spirits o...

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....

SHOOT. FEAR. Figure of speech _Paronomasia._ Hebrew. _yoruhu._. _yira'u._...

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