Bible Glide

Psalms 64

Psalms 64 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Psalm 64 is a prayer for protection when danger comes through secret plots and harmful speech. David asks God to hear his complaint, guard him from fear, and deal with those who scheme against the innocent. The psalm moves from distress to confidence in God's just response.

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What happens in Psalms 64?

David cries out for rescue from enemies who use words like weapons and hide their traps in secret. He describes their plans, their confidence that no one will notice, and their harmful actions against the innocent. The turning point comes when he trusts that God will answer them and bring their schemes to an end. In the end, their downfall will lead others to fear God, while the righteous are called to rejoice, find refuge in the Lord, and take heart.

Psalm 64 is a psalm of David placed among prayers for help in trouble. It fits a section of the Psalms where the writer faces opposition, danger, and injustice, but still turns to God for protection and vindication. The chapter follows Psalm 63 and prepares for Psalm 65, continuing the movement from personal distress to trust and praise.

Themes to notice

  • Harmful speechThe psalm shows how words can be used to wound, deceive, and threaten the innocent.
  • God's justiceSecret evil is not hidden from God, and He can bring sudden judgment.
  • Refuge for the righteousThose who trust the Lord are called to rejoice and take shelter in Him.

Questions for Psalms 64

  • What kind of danger is David facing in this psalm, and how does he describe it?
  • How does the psalm contrast the plans of the wicked with God's response?
  • What does Psalm 64 teach about where the righteous should place their trust?

Read the full text of Psalms 64 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Psalms 64

The Hurtful Tongue

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1Hear, O God, my voice of complaint;

preserve my life from dread of the enemy.

2Hide me from the scheming of the wicked,

from the mob of workers of iniquity,

3who sharpen their tongues like swords

and aim their bitter words like arrows,

4ambushing the innocent in seclusion,

shooting suddenly, without fear.

5They hold fast to their evil purpose;

they speak of hiding their snares.

“Who will see them?” they say.

6They devise injustice and say,

“We have perfected a secret plan.”

For the inner man and the heart are mysterious.

7But God will shoot them with arrows;

suddenly they will be wounded.

8They will be made to stumble,

their own tongues turned against them.

All who see will shake their heads.

9Then all mankind will fear

and proclaim the work of God;

so they will ponder what He has done.

10Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD

and take refuge in Him;

let all the upright in heart exult.

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