3 Who make their tongues sharp like a sword, and whose arrows are pointed, even bitter words;
Let them be turned to liquid like the ever-flowing waters; let them be cut off like the grass by the way.
See, the bows of the evil-doers are bent, they make ready their arrows on the cord, so that they may send them secretly against the upright in heart.
There are some whose uncontrolled talk is like the wounds of a sword, but the tongue of the wise makes one well again.
There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, their strong teeth like knives, for the destruction of the poor from the earth, and of those who are in need from among men.
Their tongues are bent like a bow to send out false words: they have become strong in the land, but not for good faith: they go on from evil to evil, and they have no knowledge of me, says the Lord.
And the tongue is a fire; it is the power of evil placed in our bodies, making all the body unclean, putting the wheel of life on fire, and getting its fire from hell. For every sort of beast and bird and every living thing on earth and in the sea has been controlled by man and is under his authority; But the tongue may not be controlled by man; it is an unresting evil, it is full of the poison of death.
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Commentary on Psalms 64 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 64
Ps 64:1-10. A prayer for deliverance from cunning and malicious enemies, with a confident view of their overthrow, which will honor God and give joy to the righteous.
1. preserve … fear—as well as the danger producing it.
2. insurrection—literally, "uproar," noisy assaults, as well as their secret counsels.
3, 4. Similar figures for slander (Ps 57:4; 59:7).
bend—literally, "tread," or, "prepared." The allusion is to the mode of bending a bow by treading on it; here, and in Ps 58:7, transferred to arrows.
4. the perfect—one innocent of the charges made (Ps 18:23).
fear not—(Ps 55:19), not regarding God.
5. A sentiment here more fully presented, by depicting their deliberate malice.
6. This is further evinced by their diligent efforts and deeply laid schemes.
7. The contrast is heightened by representing God as using weapons like theirs.
8. their … tongue to fall, &c.—that is, the consequences of their slanders, &c. (compare Ps 10:2; 31:16).
all that see … away—Their partners in evil shall be terrified.
9, 10. Men, generally, will acknowledge God's work, and the righteous, rejoicing in it, shall be encouraged to trust Him (Ps 58:10).