Psalms 64:5

5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter:^[a] they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?

Psalms 64:5 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 64:5

They encourage themselves [in] an evil matter
Or "strengthen him" ^F3; that is, Saul, by making use of arguments and reasonings to induce him to go on in his wicked persecution of David; or they strengthened and hardened themselves in their wickedness, as Saul's courtiers and the enemies of Christ did, and as all wicked men do, when they observe the sentence against them is not speedily executed, ( Ecclesiastes 8:11 ) ;

they commune of laying snares privily;
that is, they conversed together, and consulted how to lay snares for the perfect man in the most private manner, that they might entrap him and destroy him;

they say, who shall see them?
either the snares laid, or the persons that laid them? None; no, not even God himself; see ( Psalms 10:11 Psalms 10:14 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 (wml wqzhy) "firmant illi", Muis.

Psalms 64:5 In-Context

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.

5 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. matter: or, speech