Psalms 64:5

5 They encourage each other in an evil plan;^{[a] [b]} they talk about hiding traps^[c] and say, "Who will see them?"^[d]

Psalms 64:5 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 64:5

They encourage themselves [in] an evil matter
Or "strengthen him" ^F3; that is, Saul, by making use of arguments and reasonings to induce him to go on in his wicked persecution of David; or they strengthened and hardened themselves in their wickedness, as Saul's courtiers and the enemies of Christ did, and as all wicked men do, when they observe the sentence against them is not speedily executed, ( Ecclesiastes 8:11 ) ;

they commune of laying snares privily;
that is, they conversed together, and consulted how to lay snares for the perfect man in the most private manner, that they might entrap him and destroy him;

they say, who shall see them?
either the snares laid, or the persons that laid them? None; no, not even God himself; see ( Psalms 10:11 Psalms 10:14 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 (wml wqzhy) "firmant illi", Muis.

Psalms 64:5 In-Context

3 who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim bitter words like arrows,

4 shooting from concealed places at the innocent. They shoot at him suddenly and are not afraid.

5 They encourage each other in an evil plan; they talk about hiding traps and say, "Who will see them?"

6 They devise crimes [and say,] "We have perfected a secret plan." The inner man and the heart are mysterious.

7 But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly, they will be wounded.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit word, or thing
• [b]. Or They hold fast to an evil purpose, or They establish for themselves an evil purpose
• [c]. Ps 35:7; 140:5; 141:9
• [d]. Or us, or it