Psalm 64 3

Psalm 64 3 Cross References

H2Cross References

H2ContextPsalm 64 is a prayer of David seeking divine protection from treacherous enemies who conspire against him. The chapter opens with David's cry for God to hear his voice and preserve him from the "dread of the enemy" (v. 1). He describes these foes as secretly plotting evil (v. 2) and using their words as their primary weapons. Verse 3 precisely details the nature of their verbal assaults. The context paints a picture of deliberate, hidden, and deeply damaging verbal attacks, likely involving slander, false accusations, and deceit, aimed at undermining David's reputation or causing him harm. Historically, David faced numerous adversaries, from King Saul to various foreign nations and internal rebels, many of whom resorted to calumny and falsehoods. In ancient near eastern culture, spoken words carried significant weight, possessing the power to invoke blessings or curses, making the imagery of "words as weapons" particularly potent. This verse is a polemic against the destructive human inclination to wield speech as a tool for wickedness, contrasting sharply with God's word which is truth and life.

H2Word analysis

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  • Who sharpen: From the Hebrew root chakak (חָקַק), meaning to cut, engrave, sharpen, or decree. It denotes intentional action and preparation. This is not accidental speech, but words honed with a specific, damaging purpose. It implies a deliberate effort to make the speech more effective in inflicting pain or harm.
  • their tongue: Lashonam (לְשׁוֹנָם). The tongue represents speech, conversation, and language. This is a metonymy where the organ is used to denote its function. The possessive "their" indicates that this destructive capability is intrinsic to the nature and will of these particular wicked individuals.
  • like a sword: Kakherev (כְחֶרֶב). Kakherev uses the preposition "ka-" meaning "like" or "as," comparing the tongue directly to a sword (cherev), a powerful and sharp instrument of cutting, piercing, and killing. The comparison highlights the severe, penetrative, and potentially lethal effect of their words. Swords cause deep, visible wounds.
  • and bend their bows: Darchu (דָּרְכוּ). From the root darakh (דָּרַךְ), which means to tread, to march, to bend or draw a bow. It implies the deliberate action of preparing a weapon for launch. This verb emphasizes the premeditation and the readiness of the wicked to launch their verbal assaults, pulling the bowstring back in preparation to release their missile-like words.
  • to shoot: Implied action. The act of "bending the bow" directly precedes the release of the arrow, indicating the intention and readiness for their words to strike.
  • their bitter words: Chitzam mar (חִצָּם מַר) dovrim devaro (דּוֹבְרִים דְבָרוֹ). This is a composite phrase. Chitzam are "their arrows" – these are the projectiles of warfare, often used for distant attacks, symbolizing swift and sudden injury. Mar means "bitter" or "poisonous," qualifying the words. This adjective emphasizes the harsh, venomous, acrid, or painful nature of the speech. It conveys that these words cause intense emotional pain and distress. Dovrim devaro refers to "speaking their word" or "uttering their speech." The structure links "their words" with the image of "arrows," signifying that the spoken words are the arrows themselves.

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  • "Who sharpen their tongue like a sword": This phrase emphasizes the deliberate preparation and honing of their speech to inflict maximum damage. Just as a craftsman sharpens a blade, these enemies meticulously craft their words for their cutting power. It suggests an intention not just to speak, but to wound deeply and precisely.
  • "and bend their bows to shoot their bitter words as arrows": This group of words vividly paints a picture of a calculated, premeditated attack from a distance. The "bending of the bow" signifies careful aim and a build-up of destructive force. "Bitter words" are then the toxic arrows, launched to strike swiftly and inflict hidden pain or poison reputations without direct confrontation. The combination of sword and arrow imagery reinforces that their verbal attacks are versatile – some for close, sharp cuts, others for swift, unseen strikes.

H2CommentaryPsalm 64:3 is a profound metaphorical description of verbal warfare waged by the wicked. It highlights the strategic and intentional malice behind slander, lies, and gossip. The double imagery of the "sword" and "arrow" powerfully conveys the deep wounding capacity of such speech. A sharpened tongue delivers immediate, piercing cuts to one's reputation or spirit, much like a sword's thrust. Meanwhile, bitter words shot like arrows signify a more insidious form of attack – launched from afar, perhaps anonymously, striking unexpectedly and poisoning relationships or perception. The deliberate nature conveyed by "sharpen" and "bend their bows" underscores that this is not careless talk, but calculated aggression aimed at destruction. This serves as a warning against the power of the tongue used for evil and a call for discernment regarding those who weaponize their words.

H2Bonus sectionThe spiritual implication of Psalm 64:3 extends to the nature of spiritual warfare. Just as human adversaries use malicious words, the Scriptures also portray Satan as "the accuser of the brethren" (Rev 12:10), whose primary weapon is accusation and slander against believers before God. Understanding this verse helps believers identify such attacks, both from human sources and unseen spiritual forces, and encourages reliance on God for protection, as the rest of Psalm 64 details. The ultimate contrast to these "bitter words" is the Word of God itself, which is sharp yet life-giving, discerning yet healing (Heb 4:12; Jn 6:63). Believers are called to use their tongues to build up, not tear down, mirroring God's character (Eph 4:29).