New Living Translation
Psalms 64:3
3They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows.
Psalms 64:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
- New International Version (NIV)They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.
- English Standard Version (ESV)who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows,
- New King James Version (NKJV)Who sharpen their tongue like a sword, And bend their bows to shoot their arrows—bitter words,
Context of Psalms 64:3
1O God, listen to my complaint. Protect my life from my enemies’ threats. 2Hide me from the plots of this evil mob, from this gang of wrongdoers. They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows. 4They shoot from ambush at the innocent, attacking suddenly and fearlessly. 5They encourage each other to do evil and plan how to set their traps in secret. “Who will ever notice?” they ask.
Read all of Psalms 64Psalms 64:3 word by word
אֲשֶׁ֤ר שָׁנְנ֣וּ כַחֶ֣רֶב לְשׁוֹנָ֑ם דָּרְכ֥וּ חִ֝צָּ֗ם דָּבָ֥ר מָֽר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 64:3
- Psalms 57:4I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey— whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords.
- Proverbs 12:18Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
- Proverbs 30:14They have teeth like swords and fangs like knives. They devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among humanity.
- Isaiah 54:17But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!
- Jeremiah 9:3“My people bend their tongues like bows to shoot out lies. They refuse to stand up for the truth. They only go from bad to worse. They do not know me,” says the Lord.
- James 3:6And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
- Psalms 11:2The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right.
- Psalms 58:7May they disappear like water into thirsty ground. Make their weapons useless in their hands.
Commentaries on Psalms 64:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Who whet their tongue like a sword - They devise the evil they shall speak, and meditate on the most provoking, injurious, and defamatory words; as the soldier whets his sword that he may thereby the better cut down his enemies. Their arrows - bitter words - Their defamatory sayings are here represented as deadly as poisoned arrows; for to such is the allusion here made.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Who whet their tongue like a sword - Who sharpen their tongue; that is, they utter words that will cut deep, or penetrate the soul. The idea is that of slander or reproach - the same idea which we have in Shakespeare (Cymbeline): “Tis slander; Whose edge is sharper than the sword.” This comparison is a favorite one with David. Compare Psalm 52:2; Psalm 57:4; Psalm 59:7. And bend their bows - That is, they prepare for this - as they make ready to shoot…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3their tongues … bitter words: Liars use their words to harm others. This description might also refer to practicing magic.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3-43-4. Similar figures for slander (Psa 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 Psa 58:7, transferred to arrows.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 64:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 64
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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