Young At Heart Bible Study: Psalms 64-65
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Psalm 64: The righteous shall be glad in the Lord This is another psalm about whose origins we know nothing. Clearly David is in difficulty and needs protection from the wicked. He has been the victim of a conspiracy but has ultimate confidence that he will be able to boast in God.
(1) Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer; preserve my life from fear of the enemy. (2) Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked, from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity; (3) Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words; (4) That they may shoot in secret at the perfect; suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. •
David prayed out loud, not just silently. This was his pattern, at least in times of trouble. Certainly there was a time when he said, "My meditation of him shall be sweet." (Psalm 104:34) But when he was in trouble he said, "I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of his holy hill." (Psalm 3:4)
•
David knew and experienced fear at many times. Simply because he was a man of great faith, we should not imagine him to be a superhuman character who had no fear. In reality, he should be more attractive to us for having overcome his fears, or for pressing on despite them, through confidence in God. As we have recently seen, David said, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." (Psalm 56:3)
Psalms Bible Study
•
Psalms 64-65
In verse 3 are common images of men preparing for warfare in the ancient world. To whet means to sharpen, and this was done against special stones (whetstones). Bending the bow, of course, means one is preparing to shoot.
•
The weapons which are being shot are "bitter words." Spurgeon, in his Treasury of David, says this about verse 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 honor of the righteous. What is there which an evil tongue will not say? What misery will it not labor 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 bended 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 practiced 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 defense against sword or arrow he used the one defense of faith in God.
•
Verse 4 shows the cowardliness of evil. In most cases, history shows that evil men prefer the darkness, as Jesus taught, "And this is the condemnation, that light is
2
Psalms Bible Study
Psalms 64-65
come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:19-20) (5) They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they speak of laying snares secretly; they say, "Who shall see them?" (6) They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep. •
In verse 5 we see how people encourage one another to do evil. Our mothers were right when they warned us about "bad company." Scripture says, "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." (Proverbs 13:20) Christians need to be wary of those who encourage them, however sweetly, to do what is wrong.
•
The figure of "laying snares" comes from the trapping of animals. In their arrogance, those who plot evil never suspect that their schemes will be uncovered. Let us have faith that God will expose what the enemy has planned against us.
•
They search out iniquity. The word means to explore or seek out something like a treasure. Imagine being so intent on doing evil that you search for it like a treasure! Using the word iniquity, David means what is morally perverse and this indicates evil that has been developed to such a degree as to warp a person’s character – in other words, these are not “light” sins.
•
This is the opposite of those who seek first the Kingdom of God, like a pearl of great price. And it is a deep plan of evil, with much thought behind it. As human beings we are all on a hunt or a quest for something. 3
Psalms Bible Study
Psalms 64-65
(7) But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. (8) So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves; all that see them shall flee away. (9) And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing. (10) The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory. •
As we see often in David’s psalms, he expected them to be caught in the very way they had devised for him. (We could call this the Haman principle!) Rather than them shoot at David, it is God who will shoot at them.
•
Three groups of people are affected when God moves in judgment: (1) the followers of the wicked, who flee; (2) the great mass of mankind, who fear God after seeing His work; and (3) the righteous, who are glad and boast (“glory”) in Him.
Psalm 65: Praise is waiting for You, O God A beautiful song about worship and the loving care of God.
(1) Praise waits for you, O God, in Zion; and to you shall the vow be performed. (2) O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.
4
Psalms Bible Study
•
Psalms 64-65
This means that everything has been prepared for the worship of God, and so he is invited to come and receive our worship. The people are declaring to God that all will worship him!
(3) Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions, you shall purge them away. (4) Blessed is the man whom you choose, and cause to approach to you, that he may dwell in your courts; we shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, even of your holy temple. •
This does not mean that iniquities are prevailing against him, but words of perversity. He is also confident that God will deal with their sins. He also speaks of the man who is blessed by being summoned to approach God’s Presence.
(5) By terrible things in righteousness will you answer us, O God of our salvation; who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of those who are afar off upon the sea; (6) Who by his strength sets fast the mountains; being girded with power; (7) Who stills the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people. (8) Those also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at your signs; you make the goings forth of the morning and evening to rejoice. •
The answers to their prayers would be things that would terrify the enemies of Israel, which He would do in His righteousness. He is described as the confidence of all His people all over land and sea.
•
David describes God’s power over nature. (The tossing waves of the sea are often used as a picture of the wickedness of the Gentile nations who are opposed to 5
Psalms Bible Study
Psalms 64-65
God.) People in the remotest lands will be in fear when they see the great works or signs that God does in the realm of nature. No doubt David was looking through the prophetic telescope and seeing the great signs that would terrify mankind at the approach of the Messiah to set up God’s Kingdom. “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:25-27)
(9) You visit the earth, and water it; you greatly enrich it with the river of God, which is full of water; you prepare them grain, when you have so provided for it. (10) You water its furrows abundantly; you settle their ridges; you make it soft with showers; you bless its springing forth. (11) You crown the year with your goodness; and your paths drop fatness. (12) They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. (13) The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with grain; they shout for joy, they also sing. •
This is a picture of God’s blessing in the realm of agriculture. God’s rains smooth out the furrows of the field. His very paths are filled with fertility and growth. David could picture the rains bringing the blessing of increased flocks and abundance of grain.
6
(1)
David prayed out loud, not just silently. This was his pattern, at least in times of trouble. Certainly there was a time when he said, "My meditation of him shall be sweet." (Psalm 104:34) But when he was in trouble he said, "I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of his holy hill." (Psalm 3:4)
•
David knew and experienced fear at many times. Simply because he was a man of great faith, we should not imagine him to be a superhuman character who had no fear. In reality, he should be more attractive to us for having overcome his fears, or for pressing on despite them, through confidence in God. As we have recently seen, David said, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." (Psalm 56:3)
Psalms Bible Study
•
Psalms 64-65
In verse 3 are common images of men preparing for warfare in the ancient world. To whet means to sharpen, and this was done against special stones (whetstones). Bending the bow, of course, means one is preparing to shoot.
•
The weapons which are being shot are "bitter words." Spurgeon, in his Treasury of David, says this about verse 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 honor of the righteous. What is there which an evil tongue will not say? What misery will it not labor 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 bended 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 practiced 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 defense against sword or arrow he used the one defense of faith in God.
•
Verse 4 shows the cowardliness of evil. In most cases, history shows that evil men prefer the darkness, as Jesus taught, "And this is the condemnation, that light is
2
Psalms Bible Study
Psalms 64-65
come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:19-20) (5) They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they speak of laying snares secretly; they say, "Who shall see them?" (6) They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep. •
In verse 5 we see how people encourage one another to do evil. Our mothers were right when they warned us about "bad company." Scripture says, "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." (Proverbs 13:20) Christians need to be wary of those who encourage them, however sweetly, to do what is wrong.
•
The figure of "laying snares" comes from the trapping of animals. In their arrogance, those who plot evil never suspect that their schemes will be uncovered. Let us have faith that God will expose what the enemy has planned against us.
•
They search out iniquity. The word means to explore or seek out something like a treasure. Imagine being so intent on doing evil that you search for it like a treasure! Using the word iniquity, David means what is morally perverse and this indicates evil that has been developed to such a degree as to warp a person’s character – in other words, these are not “light” sins.
•
This is the opposite of those who seek first the Kingdom of God, like a pearl of great price. And it is a deep plan of evil, with much thought behind it. As human beings we are all on a hunt or a quest for something. 3
Psalms Bible Study
Psalms 64-65
(7) But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. (8) So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves; all that see them shall flee away. (9) And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing. (10) The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory. •
As we see often in David’s psalms, he expected them to be caught in the very way they had devised for him. (We could call this the Haman principle!) Rather than them shoot at David, it is God who will shoot at them.
•
Three groups of people are affected when God moves in judgment: (1) the followers of the wicked, who flee; (2) the great mass of mankind, who fear God after seeing His work; and (3) the righteous, who are glad and boast (“glory”) in Him.
Psalm 65: Praise is waiting for You, O God A beautiful song about worship and the loving care of God.
(1)
4
Psalms Bible Study
•
Psalms 64-65
This means that everything has been prepared for the worship of God, and so he is invited to come and receive our worship. The people are declaring to God that all will worship him!
(3) Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions, you shall purge them away. (4) Blessed is the man whom you choose, and cause to approach to you, that he may dwell in your courts; we shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, even of your holy temple. •
This does not mean that iniquities are prevailing against him, but words of perversity. He is also confident that God will deal with their sins. He also speaks of the man who is blessed by being summoned to approach God’s Presence.
(5) By terrible things in righteousness will you answer us, O God of our salvation; who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of those who are afar off upon the sea; (6) Who by his strength sets fast the mountains; being girded with power; (7) Who stills the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people. (8) Those also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at your signs; you make the goings forth of the morning and evening to rejoice. •
The answers to their prayers would be things that would terrify the enemies of Israel, which He would do in His righteousness. He is described as the confidence of all His people all over land and sea.
•
David describes God’s power over nature. (The tossing waves of the sea are often used as a picture of the wickedness of the Gentile nations who are opposed to 5
Psalms Bible Study
Psalms 64-65
God.) People in the remotest lands will be in fear when they see the great works or signs that God does in the realm of nature. No doubt David was looking through the prophetic telescope and seeing the great signs that would terrify mankind at the approach of the Messiah to set up God’s Kingdom. “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:25-27)
(9) You visit the earth, and water it; you greatly enrich it with the river of God, which is full of water; you prepare them grain, when you have so provided for it. (10) You water its furrows abundantly; you settle their ridges; you make it soft with showers; you bless its springing forth. (11) You crown the year with your goodness; and your paths drop fatness. (12) They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. (13) The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with grain; they shout for joy, they also sing. •
This is a picture of God’s blessing in the realm of agriculture. God’s rains smooth out the furrows of the field. His very paths are filled with fertility and growth. David could picture the rains bringing the blessing of increased flocks and abundance of grain.
6
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