Psalms 64:5

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.

They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; 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.

7 But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. “Who will see them?” they say.
KJV
They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
WEB
They encourage themselves in evil plans. They talk about laying snares secretly. They say, “Who will see them?”
ASV
They encourage themselves in an evil purpose; They commune of laying snares privily; They say, Who will see them?
DARBY
They encourage themselves in an evil matter, they concert to hide snares; they say, Who will see them?
BLB
They strengthen themselves [in] a word of evil; they recount the hiding of snares—they say, “Who is looking at them?”
ÅB
De gjør sitt onde råd fast; de forteller hvordan de vil legge skjulte snarer; de sier: Hvem ser dem?
OTB
De styrker sine onde planer;
De diskuterer å legge feller i hemmelighet;
De sier: "Hvem kan oppfatte dem?"
B1930
De gjør sitt onde råd fast; de forteller hvorledes de vil legge skjulte snarer; de sier: Hvem ser dem?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Psalms 140:5

    The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 10:11

    He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.

    Read in context
  • Job 22:13

    And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 8:12

    Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 94:7

    Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 59:7

    Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?

    Read in context
  • Matthew 26:3–4

    Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 41:6

    They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.

    Read in context