Psalms 64
What Happens in This Chapter
In this psalm, a song to God, David asks God to keep him safe from people who are planning to hurt him. He says their words are like weapons they use in secret. Then he says God will stop them, and their own words will turn back on them. The psalm ends with good people being glad and safe with God.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
1God, listen to me when I tell you my trouble. Keep me safe. I am afraid of my enemy.
The old words say "preserve my life from fear of the enemy." That means keep me alive, safe from the enemy I dread.
2Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
2Hide me from the secret plans of bad people. Hide me from the angry crowd that does wrong.
3Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
3They make their tongues sharp, like swords. They aim mean words the way people aim arrows.
4That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
4They hide and shoot their words at a good person. They strike all at once, and they are not afraid.
5They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
5They hold on tight to their bad plan. They talk about hiding traps. They say, "Nobody will see them."
6They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.
6They think up ways to be unfair. They say, "Our secret plan is perfect." What people think inside is hard to see.
7But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
7But God will shoot at them with his arrow. All at once, they will be hurt.
8So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
8Their own words will turn back on them and trip them. Everyone who sees it will shake their heads.
9And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
9Then everyone will be filled with wonder. They will tell what God has done. They will think about it carefully.
"All men shall fear" does not mean everyone will be scared. It means people will see how great God is and feel amazed.
10The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
10Good people will be happy because of the LORD. They will hide safe with him. Everyone with an honest heart will cheer.
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