The previous psalm (Psalm 63) described how David dealt with physical enemies who were out to kill him. But in this psalm, David addresses the issue of hidden and anonymous spiritual enemies. A close study of this psalm can be a great boost to one’s faith and peace.
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
1-6 Hear my voice, O God, in my moaning. Preserve my life from dread of the enemy. 2 Hide me from the secret [counsel] of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers, 3 who have sharpened their tongues like a sword, who aim a bitter word like an arrow, 4 shooting from hiding at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear. 5 They strengthen themselves in their evil word. They talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who would see them?” 6 They search out injustice, saying, “We are blameless. We have made a diligent search.” For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.
7-10 Then God shot an arrow. Suddenly they are [fatally] wounded. 8 They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them. All who see them will shake their heads. 9 Then all mankind fears, and they tell what God has brought about and ponder what He has done. 10 Let the righteous one rejoice in Adonai and take refuge in Him! Let all the upright in heart exult!
REFERENCES:
Verse 6
R’ S.R. Hirsch: “It is possible to detect and investigate overt acts of criminality. But the slanderous word … leaves no trace, as a rule, but the spoken word, once uttered, is gone beyond recall. And even if he who had originally uttered the word should be found out, he could readily prove that his remarks had been quite innocent. Who then would be able to detect his evil intention which makes such speech a crime?” (The Hirsch Tehillim, pp.508-9)
R’ Eli Cashdan: “Our psalmist’s foe is very familiar to modern man. His weapons are propaganda slander, and rumor. His greatest weapon is his anonymity. Who can fight an unknown foe?” (The Koren Tehillim, pp.310)
Verses 7-8
1Samuel 31:3 The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers.
Proverbs 12:18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts…
Isaiah 49:2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand he hid me. He made me a polished arrow; in His quiver He hid me away.
Revelation 19:15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
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