Psalms 64
TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN, A PSALM OF DAVID
[Psalms 64:1] HEAR MY VOICE, O GOD, IN MY PRAYER: PRESERVE MY LIFE FROM FEAR OF
THE ENEMY.
<<IN MY PRAYER>>: In Hebrew "Be-Si(c)hi", literally "in my conversation". One
trend of thought (Bratslav Hassidim) strongly advocates communing with the
Almighty in a conversational type manner. They recommend to set some time apart
to be alone every day in a quiet secluded place and talk to the Almighty as you
would to a father, praise Him, tell him your wishes and problems, and make your
requests, etc.
[Psalms 64:2] HIDE ME FROM THE SECRET COUNSEL OF THE WICKED; FROM THE
INSURRECTION OF THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY:
They who rebel against the rule of King David are evil-doers and attempting to
deprive the Israelite people of their rightful leader. David or his Messianic
Inheritor may not yet have arrived but the principle still holds. It is one
thing to search for the truth. It is another to deliberately seek out to
undermine belief in the Bible and right values etc. Such an attitude is a
rebellion against the spirit of King David to whom we must remain faithful.
People who imagine themselves to be the Messiah are nut-cases and may be
transgressing the commandment not to prophesy falsely.
We may however strive to act as if we would want to be soldiers or servants of
King David and to bring about in this world a realization of values associated
with him.
This is also an aspect of Brit-Am.
The Messiah son of Joseph and the Messiah son of David will bring about a return
to the truth of the Bible and a reunification of the Ten Tribes with the Jews.
We may not be around at the time and not necessarily have much to do with the
matter. Nevertheless by doing what we can from where we are at present in the
said direction we become agents of the Principle behind it. By identifying
with Brit-Am and helping Brit-Am according to your ability you too will be
working in this direction.
<<HIDE ME>>: This verse may also be translated as saying:
PROTECT ME FROM THE PLOTTING OF THEY WHO CAUSE EVIL, FROM THE THRILL OF THE
WORKERS FOR INJUSTICE. We sometimes see people getting together, forming cliques
and social groupings. We ourselves may often wish to join such groupings since
we are human beings with social needs like everybody else. It could be however
that often we would be better off staying away from such gatherings since they
sometimes let false assumptions or corrupt behavior be considered acceptable or
even desirable.
[Psalms 64:3] WHO WHET THEIR TONGUE LIKE A SWORD, AND BEND THEIR BOWS TO SHOOT
THEIR ARROWS, EVEN BITTER WORDS:
Evil or just thoughtless speech can have poisonous results.
A lot of times people make mistakes.
It happens that one feels justifiably offended.
Nevertheless it is best not to jump to conclusions and if we can disregard the
offences of others we should do so in order that we too when and if we slip up
may be judged leniently.
[Psalms 64:4] THAT THEY MAY SHOOT IN SECRET AT THE PERFECT: SUDDENLY DO THEY
SHOOT AT HIM, AND FEAR NOT.
<<AT THE PERFECT>>: This is not in the original Hebrew and has been added.
<<FEAR NOT>>: This is in accordance with the Aramaic Translation of the Hebrew
but the Hebrew words here are "Davar Mar" which could preferably be rendered, A
BITTER THING or a BITTER WORD.
We would translate this verse:
THEY WHO SHARPEN THEIR TONGUE LIKE A SWORD, COCK THEIR SHAFT [TO SHOOT AT
OTHERS] A BITTER WORD.
[Psalms 64:5] THEY ENCOURAGE THEMSELVES IN AN EVIL MATTER: THEY COMMUNE OF
LAYING SNARES PRIVILY; THEY SAY, WHO SHALL SEE THEM?
[Psalms 64:6] THEY SEARCH OUT INIQUITIES; THEY ACCOMPLISH A DILIGENT SEARCH:
BOTH THE INWARD THOUGHT OF EVERY ONE OF THEM, AND THE HEART, IS DEEP.
Evil intentions may be deeply entrenched in our subconscious. Through learning
the Bible and doing the best we can our subconscious may be turned around from
being an enemy of our true interests to becoming a friend and
ally.
[Psalms 64:7] BUT GOD SHALL SHOOT AT THEM WITH AN ARROW; SUDDENLY SHALL THEY BE
WOUNDED.
[Psalms 64:8] SO THEY SHALL MAKE THEIR OWN TONGUE TO FALL UPON THEMSELVES: ALL
THAT SEE THEM SHALL FLEE AWAY.
[Psalms 64:9] AND ALL MEN SHALL FEAR, AND SHALL DECLARE THE WORK OF GOD; FOR
THEY SHALL WISELY CONSIDER OF HIS DOING.
When justice is seen to be done most people are happy and feel relief and
deliverance.
[Psalms 64:10] THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL BE GLAD IN THE LORD, AND SHALL TRUST IN HIM;
AND ALL THE UPRIGHT IN HEART SHALL GLORY.
The first part of this verse should be read in the Present Tense, i.e.
LET THE RIGHTEOUS TRUST IN GOD AND TAKE REFUGE IN HIM THEN SHALL THE UPRIGHT OF
HEART BE GLORIFIED.
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