Psalms 64:3

Psa 64:3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, [and] bend [their bows to shoot] their arrows, [even] bitter words:

Ver. 3. Who whet their tongue like a sword] The tongue in its form resembleth a flaming sword, and being set on fire of hell, it woundeth deeply and dangerously. It is ordinary with David to compare aulicas criminationes cum armis castrensibus, court calumnies with warlike weapons, Psa 5:6; Psa 5:9-10 Psa 11:5-6 Psa 57:4. See there.

And bend their bows to shoot their arrows] Heb. bend their arrow, that is, as Psa 11:2, "they bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string," &c. See a like phrase Jer 9:3.

Even bitter words] Virulent and venomous, quae leviter volant, non leviter violant; for as Medius in Plutarch saith, though the wound they make be haply healed, yet there will be still a scar, ηη ουλη μενει της διαβολης (Plut.). An aspersion, though not fully believed, leaveth behind it a lower estimation of the party than before.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Ver. 3. Who whet their tongue like a sword. Slander has ever been the master weapon of the good man's enemies, and great is the care of the malicious to use it effectively. As warriors grind their swords, to give them an edge which will cut deep and wound desperately, so do the unscrupulous invent falsehoods which shall be calculated to inflict pain, to stab the reputation, to kill the honour of the righteous. What is there which an evil tongue will not say? What misery will it not labour to inflict?

And bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words. Far off they dart their calumnies, as archers shoot their poisoned arrows. They studiously and with force prepare their speech as bent bows, and then with cool, deliberate aim, they let fly the shaft which they have dipped in bitterness. To sting, to inflict anguish, to destroy, is their one design. Insult, sarcasm, taunting defiance, nicknaming, all these were practised among Orientals as a kind of art; and if in these Western regions, with more refined manners, we are less addicted to the use of rough abuse, it is yet to be feared that the less apparent venom of the tongue inflicts none the less poignant pain. However, in all cases, let us fly to the Lord for help. David had but the one resource of prayer against the twofold weapons of the wicked, for defence against sword or arrow he used the one defence of faith in God.

Ver. 3. Who whet their tongue, etc. The verb means, says Parkhurst, "to whet, sharpen, "which is performed by reiterated motion of friction; and by a beautiful metaphor it is applied to a wicked tongue. It has, however, been rendered, vibrate, as it is certain a serpent does his tongue. Richard Mant.

Ver. 3. The ingenuity of man has been wonderfully tasked and exercised in two things, inventing destructive weapons of war, and devising various methods of ruining men by wicked words. The list of the former is found in military writings. But the various forms of evil speaking can hardly be catalogued. Evil speakers have arrows, sharp, barbed, dipped in poison. They have "swords, flaming swords, two edged swords, drawn swords, drawn in anger, with which they cut, and wound, and kill the good name of their neighbour." Sins of the tongue are commonly very cruel. When slander is secret, as it commonly is, you cannot defend yourself from its assaults. Its canons are infernal. One of them is, "If a lie will do better than the truth, tell a lie." Another is, "Heap on reproach; some of it will stick." William S. Plumer.

Ver. 3-4. We saw in the Museum at Venice an instrument with which one of the old Italian tyrants was accustomed to shoot poisoned needles at the objects of his wanton malignity. We thought of gossips, backbiters, and secret slanderers, and wished that their mischievous devices might come to a speedy end. Their weapons of innuendo, shrug, and whisper, appear to be as insignificant as needles: but the venom which they instil is deadly to many a reputation. C. H. Spurgeon, in "Feathers for Arrows; or, Illustrations for Preachers and Teachers, "1870.

Ver. 3-4. David, upon sad experience, compares a wicked, reviling tongue to three fatal weapons--a razor, a sword, and an arrow. To a razor, such a one as will take off every little hair: so a reviling tongue will not only take advantage of every gross sin committed by others, but those peccadilloes, the least infirmities which others better qualified cannot so much as discern; secondly, to a sword that wounds: so the tongues of reproaching men cut deeply into the credits and reputations of their brethren, but a sword doth mischief only near hand, not afar off; and, therefore, it is in the third place compared to an arrow, that can hit at a distance: and so revilers do not ill offices to those only in the parish or town where they live, but to others far remote. How much, then, doth it concern every man to walk circumspectly; to give no just cause of reproach, not to make himself a scorn to the fools of the world; but, if they will reproach (as certainly they will), let it be for forwardness in God's ways, and not for sin, that so the reproach may fall upon their own heads, and their scandalous language into their own throats. Jeremiah Burroughs.

Ver. 3,7-8. The most mischievous weapons of the wicked are words, even bitter words; but the Word is the chief weapon of the Holy Spirit: and as with this sword the great Captain foiled the tempter in the wilderness, so may we vanquish "the workers of iniquity" with the true Jerusalem blade. J. L. K.

Ver. 3. Bitter words. An excellent topic in reference both to the sinner and to professed saints.

Ver. 3. The whetting of the tongue. Fresh faults discovered, evil motives imputed, exaggerations invented, lies forged, innuendoes suggested, old slanders furnished, and ancient hatreds rekindled.

Psalms 64:4*

Ver. 3-4. See Psalms on "Ps 64:3" for further information.

Ver. 3-4. See Psalms on "Ps 64:3" for further information.

Ver. 3,7-8. See Psalms on "Ps 64:3" for further information.

Ver. 3,7-8. See Psalms on "Ps 64:3" for further information.

Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

4. (Psa 64:3). Who have sharpened, like the sword, their tongue, have strung their arrow, bitter speech. The figure in the first clause is a favourite with David. See above, on Psa 52:2; Psa 57:4; Psa 59:7. Strung their arrow, literally trod (i.e. bent) it, which must either be explained as an ellipsis--bent their (bow to shoot their) arrow—or as a poetical transfer to the arrow of what is strictly applicable only to the bow. See above, on Psa 58:7. The figure of an arrow is peculiarly appropriate to the poignant pain produced by insult and calumny, which is also well expressed by the epithet bitter. Compare Deu 32:24, 1Sa 15:32.

Joseph Addison Alexander, The Psalms Translated and Explained (1850) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

64:3 their tongues . . . bitter words: Liars use their speech to kill. This description might also refer to practicing magic.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

False reports and slanders.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Similar figures for slander (Psa 57:4; Psa 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.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 3. Who 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.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

3 For they have whetted their tongue like a sword His enemies, in their rage, aimed at nothing less than his life, and yet what he complains of, more than all beside, is the poison with which their words were imbued. It is probable that he refers to the calumnious reports which he knew to be falsely spread to his discredit, and with a view of damaging his reputation with the people. Their tongues he likens to swords; their bitter and venomous words to arrows. And when he adds, that, they shoot against the upright and innocent, he is to be considered as contrasting his integrity with their unprincipled conduct. It inspired him with confidence in his religious addresses, to know that he could exonerate his own conscience from guilt, and that he was the object of undeserved attack by worthless and abandoned men. In mentioning that they shoot secretly and suddenly, he refers to the craft which characterised them. They were not only eagerly bent upon mischief, and intent in watching their opportunities, but so expert and quick in their movements, as to smite their victim before he could suspect danger. When we hear that David, who was a man in every respect so much more holy and upright in his conduct than ourselves, suffered from groundless aspersions upon his character, we have no reason to be surprised that we should be exposed to a similar trial. This comfort, at least, we always have, that we can betake ourselves to God, and obtain his defense of the upright cause. He takes particular notice of another circumstance, that they shot their empoisoned arrows from their lips without fear, or shame. This self-secure spirit argued a degree of abandoned presumption, in so far as they could persist in obstinately pursuing the conduct in which they had been repeatedly detected, and renew their desperate attempts, to the disregard of all fear of God or worldly shame.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

(3) For the figure in this and the following verse, see Psa_10:7; Psa_11:2; Psa_52:2; Psa_57:4; Psa_59:7.

“’Tis slander.

Whose edge is sharper than the sword.”

SHAKESPEARE.

For the ellipse in “they bend (literally, tread) their arrows,” see Psa_58:7.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

3. Who whet] R.V., who have whet. For the comparison see Psa_55:21; Psa_57:4; Psa_59:7.

and bend &c.] Render, They have aimed as their arrow a bitter scheme. For the peculiar phrase see Psa_58:7. Dâbâr seems to mean scheme as in Psa_64:5, rather than speech, or words. So the LXX πρᾶγμα πικρόν. Bitter = hurtful or venomous. Is the idea that of a poisoned arrow? The Targ. paraphrases, “They have anointed their arrows with deadly and bitter venom.”

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Who whet their tongue like a sword,.... Use cutting, wounding, killing, and devouring words; on which they set an edge, and make them keener and keener to hurt and ruin the characters and reputations of good men, and grieve and distress their minds;

and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words; such are the these doctrines of heretical men, which are roots of bitterness, that defile some and trouble others; such are the oaths and curses of profane sinners, whose mouths are full of cursing and bitterness; and such are the blasphemies of antichrist against God, against his tabernacle, and against them that dwell therein; and such are the hard speeches spoken by ungodly sinners against Christ and his people; these are like arrows shot from a bow, and full of deadly poison. The Targum is

"they stretch out their bows, they anoint their arrows with deadly and bitter poison.''

There seems to be an allusion to fixing letters in arrows, and so shooting or directing them where it was desired they should fall and be taken up; so Timoxenus and Artobazus sent letters to one another in this way, at the siege of Potidaea (a): and after the same manner, the Jews say (b), Shebna and Joab sent letters to Sennacherib, acquainting him that all Israel were willing to make peace with him; but Hezekiah and Isaiah would not allow them to.

(a) Herodot. Urania, sive l. 8. c. 128. (b) Derash R. Aba in Kimchi in Psal. xi. 2.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Who 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 Psa 52:2; Psa 57:4; Psa 59:7.

And bend their bows ... - That is, they prepare for this - as they make ready to shoot who bend their bows, and fix their arrows on the string. The idea here is, that this was deliberate, or was the result of counsel and purpose. It was not an outbreak of mere passion and excitement; it was by fixed design and careful preparation. See Psa 11:2, note; Psa 58:7, note.

Even bitter words - We apply the same term bitter now to words of malice and reproach.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Bend their bows to shoot their arrows; of which phrase See Poole "Psa 58:7". Bitter words; slanderous and pernicious speeches against me.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

3. Bend their bows—Hebrew, They have bent their arrows. Same as “bend the bow,” Psa_7:13, or placing or aiming the arrow, Psa_58:7.

Bitter words—Better, a bitter word. An evil tongue is sharper than a sword, and “bitter words” enter deeper into the soul than barbed arrows.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Who whet their tongue like a sword. (comp. Psa_55:21 Psa_57:4 Psa_59:7) And bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words. (comp. Psa_11:2 Psa_57:4) Calumny was what David especially feared, and what actually brought about his downfall. (see 2Sa_15:2-6) The "bitterness" of his enemies is further emphasized by the speeches and curses of Shimei. (2Sa_16:5-13)

"Bitter words.

Of the ten commandments, two are directed against sins of speech one against profane words concerning God; the other against slanderous words concerning our neighbours. No sins are apt to be thought more lightly of than sins of the tongue; yet no sins are more severely and constantly denounced in Scripture. Probably no class of sins does more mischief in the world. Our words are spoken of as the special object of Divine knowledge. (Psa_139:4) The sinfulness of bitter words" is seen

(1) in their source they flow from a bitter fountain in the heart;

(2) in their utterance they have a bitter taste in the mouth;

(3) in their results they infuse bitterness into life.

I IN THEIR SOURCE. St. James compares the heart to a fountain, and notes the unnatural anomaly that from the same source should flow sweetness and bitterness, blessing and cursing, praise and slander. (Jam_3:8-12) If the heart harboured no envy, malice, anger, pride, uncharitableness, ill-natured censorious judgments, how sweet and refreshing would the flow of speech be! (Eph_4:29-32 Mat_15:18)

II IN THEIR UTTERANCE. Our Lord speaks of the good man bringing forth what is good from "the good treasure of his heart," and the evil man, that which is evil "out of the evil treasure". (Mat_12:35) Solomon marks it as one great difference between a wise man and a fool, that the former knows how to hold his tongue. (Pro_10:19 Pro_29:11) A good man may be aware of envious evil, uncharitable thoughts; but he is very careful how he gives them vent in bitter words. His prayer is, "Keep the door of my lips". (Psa_141:3) Some people not merely find a pleasure in uttering all the sharp unkind things that occur to them; they persuade themselves it is a duty. No matter how bitter the word may be, out it comes, on the plea, "I must be honest; I must always speak my mind." Why must you? It is not honesty; it is want of self-control, of sympathy, good feeling, Christian and Christ-like consideration for others.

III IN THEIR RESULTS. The word once spoken, like the bolt overshot, cannot be recalled. But the deadliest arrow can hit but one mark; the bitter word may fly from lip to lip, growing as it flies, and inflict a thousand wounds before it is forgotten. David suffered much from bitter words. He counts it a great instance of God"s goodness when he defends his servants "from the strife of tongues". (Psa_31:20; cf. vers. 13, 18) Unjust, slanderous, cruel words are compared to arrows, swords, spears, razors, serpents" teeth, burning coals. (Psa_52:2-4 Psa_55:21 Psa_57:4 Psa_58:4 Psa_120:4 Psa_111:3)

Bitter words were no small part of the bitter cup which our Saviour drank for us, and of which he warned his disciples they must taste. Spoken by the unbelieving world, "falsely for his sake," they are the Christian"s glory; (Mat_5:11 Mat_10:25) but spoken by Christians of Christians, they are weapons put into the hand of unbelief. The bitterness of controversy has perhaps been a greater hindrance to truth than the assaults of atheism. Wherever this Marah flows in the Church, the home, the social circle, the nation it poisons life. Seek to cast into it the healing branch. (Col_4:6)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

They have sharpened their tongues like swords

The writer speaks of his enemies' tongues as if they were as sharp as swords. Here "tongues" represents the harsh words that the enemies speak. AT: "The harsh things that they say hurt me like a sharp sword" (See: Simile and Metonymy)

arrows, bitter words

The writer speaks of his enemies' bitter words as if they were arrows being shot at him. AT: "bitter words which pierce me like arrows" (See: Metaphor)

translationWords

sword

bow and arrow

innocent

fear

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

from the gathering of workers of iniquity For they gather seeking against him a pretext of death, as it is written (Dan. 6:7): “...assembled about the king, etc.”

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.