Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 64
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 64
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 64
"Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint: Preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret counsel of evil-doers, From the tumult of the workers of iniquity; Who have whet their tongue like a sword, And have aimed their arrows, even bitter words, That they may shoot in secret places at the perfect: Suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. They encourage themselves in an evil purpose; They commune of laying snares privily; They say, Who will see them? They search out iniquities; We have accomplished, [say they], a diligent search: And the inward thought and the heart of every one is deep." — Psalms 64:1-6 (ASV)
The psalmist earnestly begs God to preserve him from disquieting fear.
The tongue is a little member, but it boasts great things. The upright man is the mark at which the wicked aim; they cannot speak peaceably either of him or to him. There is no guard against a false tongue.
It is bad to do wrong, but worse to encourage ourselves and one another in it. It is a sign that the heart is hardened to the greatest degree, when it is so fully set to do evil.
A practical disbelief of God's knowledge of all things is at the bottom of every wickedness.
The benefit of a good cause and a good conscience appears most when nothing can help a person against their enemies, except God alone, who is always a present help.
"But God will shoot at them; With an arrow suddenly shall they be wounded. So they shall be made to stumble, their own tongue being against them: All that see them shall wag the head. And all men shall fear; And they shall declare the work of God, And shall wisely consider of his doing. The righteous shall be glad in Jehovah, and shall take refuge in him; And all the upright in heart shall glory. " — Psalms 64:7-10 (ASV)
When God brings upon people the harm they have desired for others, it is a weight sufficient to sink a person to the lowest hell. Those who love cursing, it will come upon them.
Those who witness this will understand and observe God's hand in everything; unless we do so, we are not likely to profit from the dispensations of Providence.
The righteous will be glad in the Lord; not glad of the misery and ruin of their fellow creatures, but glad that God is glorified, his word fulfilled, and the cause of injured innocence effectively pleaded. They rejoice not in people, nor in themselves, nor in any creature, or creature enjoyments, nor in their wisdom, strength, riches, or righteousness; but in Christ, in whom all the seed of Israel are justified and glory, and in what he is to them and has done for them.
Jump to: