Psa 64:1 | KingComments | STEP | This psalm is a continuation of the line we follow from Psalm 61. It deals with the faithful remnant’s exercises of faith, their troubles and tribulations by enemies outside and within, and God’s answer to their prayer and complaint. The psalmist – and prophetically the faithful remnant – is still threatened by evildoers and those who do injustice ( ). They are constantly attacking him. Then God intervenes by the appearance of Christ ( ). As a result, the whole earth will fear God and the faithful will rejoice ( ). Historically, the psalm is difficult to trace back to an event in David’s life. Because of the order of the psalms, it is probably in the time of Absalom’s rebellion. In any case, as a prophet, David is writing about the prayer of the remnant in their distress and its answer through the appearance of Christ. After the appearance of Christ, it is appropriate that the name “LORD”, Yahweh, is used again ( ) instead of the “God”, Elohim , characteristic for the second book of psalms. The core of this psalm is the pride and perceived success of the wicked evildoers. But “pride goes before destruction” ( ). They laid on their arrow and began to shoot ( ). At that moment God hits them with an arrow ( ). Then it will be the end of their story, over and out. For “for the choir director” ( ) see at Psalm 4:1. For “a Psalm of David” see at Psalm 3:1. David explicitly asks God to hear his voice when he complains ( ). That is, he speaks aloud to God. It is not a ‘groaning’ of pain, but ‘complaining’ in the sense of ‘putting into words’ his problem. He complains because he is struggling as a result of the enemy’s threat to his life. Dread is literally ‘fear’. He knows that the enemy is capable of killing him, but he also knows that God is capable of preserving him. Therefore, he asks God to preserve him. There is no one else to whom he can or would appeal. Only God can provide the preservation he needs against the advancing enemy. He asks God for preservation by hiding him from the secret counsel devised against him by evildoers ( ; cf. ). The evildoers counsel in the deepest secret. David is aware of this through his dealings with God. If He hides him, they will not be able to carry out their counsel. In the same way, satan’s thoughts “are not unknown to us” ( ). We know how he operates and do not need to be surprised by him. God has provided us with His armor to put it on ( ). Then we are hidden from the attacks of the enemy, and the fiery arrows he shoots at us cannot hit us. God’s Word and trust in Him can keep us from satan carrying out his secret counsel against us. David is not besieged by just one enemy, but there is “the tumult of those who do iniquity”. In addition to the nature of the enmity, the hatred that the enemy has, the number of enemies is also impressive. Nor do they come at him quietly, but as a ‘tumultuous’ mob. It is an uncontrolled outburst of enmity. The entire crowd is made up of people “who do iniquity”. A more threatening situation can hardly be imagined. Only God has the power to stop this riotous mob in their evil intent.

‏ Psalms 64:1

Introduction

This psalm is a continuation of the line we follow from Psalm 61. It deals with the faithful remnant’s exercises of faith, their troubles and tribulations by enemies outside and within, and God’s answer to their prayer and complaint.

The psalmist – and prophetically the faithful remnant – is still threatened by evildoers and those who do injustice (Psa 64:2). They are constantly attacking him. Then God intervenes by the appearance of Christ (Psa 64:7). As a result, the whole earth will fear God and the faithful will rejoice (Psa 64:9-10).

Historically, the psalm is difficult to trace back to an event in David’s life. Because of the order of the psalms, it is probably in the time of Absalom’s rebellion. In any case, as a prophet, David is writing about the prayer of the remnant in their distress and its answer through the appearance of Christ. After the appearance of Christ, it is appropriate that the name “LORD”, Yahweh, is used again (Psa 64:10) instead of the “God”, Elohim, characteristic for the second book of psalms.

The core of this psalm is the pride and perceived success of the wicked evildoers. But “pride goes before destruction” (Pro 16:18). They laid on their arrow and began to shoot (Psa 64:3-4). At that moment God hits them with an arrow (Psa 64:7). Then it will be the end of their story, over and out.

Prayer for Preservation

For “for the choir director” (Psa 64:1a) see at Psalm 4:1.

For “a Psalm of David” see at Psalm 3:1.

David explicitly asks God to hear his voice when he complains (Psa 64:1b). That is, he speaks aloud to God. It is not a ‘groaning’ of pain, but ‘complaining’ in the sense of ‘putting into words’ his problem. He complains because he is struggling as a result of the enemy’s threat to his life.

Dread is literally ‘fear’. He knows that the enemy is capable of killing him, but he also knows that God is capable of preserving him. Therefore, he asks God to preserve him. There is no one else to whom he can or would appeal. Only God can provide the preservation he needs against the advancing enemy.

He asks God for preservation by hiding him from the secret counsel devised against him by evildoers (Psa 64:2; cf. Jer 36:26). The evildoers counsel in the deepest secret. David is aware of this through his dealings with God. If He hides him, they will not be able to carry out their counsel.

In the same way, satan’s thoughts “are not unknown to us” (2Cor 2:10b-11). We know how he operates and do not need to be surprised by him. God has provided us with His armor to put it on (Eph 6:14-18). Then we are hidden from the attacks of the enemy, and the fiery arrows he shoots at us cannot hit us. God’s Word and trust in Him can keep us from satan carrying out his secret counsel against us.

David is not besieged by just one enemy, but there is “the tumult of those who do iniquity”. In addition to the nature of the enmity, the hatred that the enemy has, the number of enemies is also impressive. Nor do they come at him quietly, but as a ‘tumultuous’ mob. It is an uncontrolled outburst of enmity. The entire crowd is made up of people “who do iniquity”. A more threatening situation can hardly be imagined. Only God has the power to stop this riotous mob in their evil intent.