THE RIGHTEOUS WILL REJOICE IN HIM

Passage: Psalm 64:1-10

Key verse: 10

NIV

Psalm 64[a]
For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint;(A)
    protect my life from the threat of the enemy.(B)

2 Hide me from the conspiracy(C) of the wicked,(D)
    from the plots of evildoers.
3 They sharpen their tongues like swords(E)
    and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.(F)
4 They shoot from ambush at the innocent;(G)
    they shoot suddenly, without fear.(H)

5 They encourage each other in evil plans,
    they talk about hiding their snares;(I)
    they say, “Who will see it[b]?”(J)
6 They plot injustice and say,
    “We have devised a perfect plan!”
    Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

7 But God will shoot them with his arrows;
    they will suddenly be struck down.
8 He will turn their own tongues against them(K)
    and bring them to ruin;
    all who see them will shake their heads(L) in scorn.(M)
9 All people will fear;(N)
    they will proclaim the works of God
    and ponder what he has done.(O)

10 The righteous will rejoice in the Lord(P)
    and take refuge in him;(Q)
    all the upright in heart will glory in him!(R)

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 64:1 In Hebrew texts 64:1-10 is numbered 64:2-11.
  2. Psalm 64:5 Or us
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Hide Me from the Wicked

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

64 Hear my voice, O God, in my (A)complaint;
    preserve my life from dread of the enemy.
2 Hide me from (B)the secret plots of the wicked,
    from the throng of evildoers,
3 who (C)whet their tongues like swords,
    who (D)aim bitter words like arrows,
4 shooting from (E)ambush at the blameless,
    shooting at him suddenly and (F)without fear.
5 They (G)hold fast to their evil purpose;
    they talk of (H)laying snares secretly,
thinking, (I)“Who can see them?”
6     They search out injustice,
saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.”
    For (J)the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.

7 (K)But God shoots his arrow at them;
    they are wounded suddenly.
8 They are brought to ruin, with their own (L)tongues turned against them;
    all who (M)see them will (N)wag their heads.
9 Then all mankind (O)fears;
    they (P)tell what God has brought about
    and ponder what he has done.

10 Let (Q)the righteous one rejoice in the Lord
    and (R)take refuge in him!
Let all (S)the upright in heart exult!

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Psalm 64 reminds us that God hears every prayer, even when we feel surrounded by unseen opposition. David speaks of hidden plots and sharp words, describing how criticism and deceit can wound like arrows (3-5). Their plans are also craftily devised (6). David feels utterly helpless against their cunning conspiracies. Yet he does not panic; instead, he prays (1-2). This psalm teaches us that our first response to fear, betrayal, corruption, and injustice should be to bring our concerns to the Lord.

God sees what is done in secret. No scheme escapes his notice. While others may aim their words to harm, the Lord guards those who trust in him (7-8). He is both a refuge and righteous judge (10). You can rest in this assurance. You do not have to defend yourself against every attack. Place your reputation, your anxieties, and your future into God’s hands. He will act in his time, and his justice will stand. All will see it, fear him, and ponder how God has done it! (9).

Prayer: Father, please shield me from the secret plots of those who use their words like sharp swords and deadly arrows to cause harm. I trust in your righteous judgment to turn their own schemes against them, and I pray that I may find refuge in your strength and rejoice in you.

One Word: Rejoice in God’s righteousness