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Selected Verse: Psalms 64:3 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Ps 64:3 |
King James |
Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
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. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
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. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
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. |
7 Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.
7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
7 Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.
2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.