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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 64:3 who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/64-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/19_Psa_064_003.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 64:3 - The Hurtful Tongue" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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They aimed bitter speech <i>as</i> their arrows,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/64.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Who have sharpened their tongue like a sword. They aimed bitter speech as their arrow,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/64.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Who have sharpened their tongue like a sword. They aimed bitter speech <i>as</i> their arrow, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/64.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Who have sharpened their tongue like a sword. They aimed bitter speech <i>as</i> their arrow,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/64.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Who have sharpened their tongues like a sword. They aim venomous words as arrows,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/64.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim bitter words like arrows,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/64.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim bitter words like arrows, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/64.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Who have whet their tongue like a sword, And have aimed their arrows, even bitter words,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/64.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Their words cut like swords, and their cruel remarks sting like sharp arrows. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/64.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Who have whet their tongue like a sword, and have aimed their arrows, even bitter words:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/64.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They sharpen their tongues like swords. They aim bitter words like arrows<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/64.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like arrows. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/64.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />who sharpen their tongues like swords, and aim their bitter words like arrows,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/64.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/64.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They sharpen their tongues like a sword; they aim their arrow, a slanderous charge, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/64.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and aim their arrows, deadly words,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/64.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/64.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and aim their arrows, deadly words, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/64.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Who sharpened their tongue as a sword, "" They directed their arrow—a bitter word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/64.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Who sharpened as a sword their tongue, They directed their arrow -- a bitter word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/64.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Who sharpened as a sword their tongue, they bent their arrows a bitter word:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/64.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For they have whetted their tongues like a sword; they have bent their bow a bitter thing, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/64.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 63:4>For they have sharpened their tongues like a sword; they have formed their bow into a bitter thing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/64.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They sharpen their tongues like swords, bend their bows of poison words. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/64.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/64.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Who whet their tongues like a sword, and charge their words with poison like an arrow,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/64.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />They sharpened their tongue like a sword, and their words like an arrow<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/64.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Who have whet their tongue like a sword, And have aimed their arrow, a poisoned word;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/64.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />who have sharpened their tongues as a sword; they have bent their bow maliciously;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/64-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=7453" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/64.htm">The Hurtful Tongue</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>Hide me from the scheming of the wicked, from the mob of workers of iniquity, <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/8150.htm" title="8150: šā·nə·nū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To whet, sharpen. A primitive root; to point; intensively, to pierce; figuratively, to inculcate.">sharpen</a> <a href="/hebrew/3956.htm" title="3956: lə·šō·w·nām (N-csc:: 3mp) -- Tongue. Or lashon; also feminine lshonah; from lashan; the tongue, used literally, and figuratively.">their tongues</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḵa·ḥe·reḇ (Prep-k, Art:: N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">like swords</a> <a href="/hebrew/1869.htm" title="1869: dā·rə·ḵū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To tread, march. A primitive root; to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow.">and aim</a> <a href="/hebrew/4751.htm" title="4751: mār (Adj-ms) -- Bitter, bitterness. Or marah; from marar; bitter; also bitterness, or bitterly.">their bitter</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: dā·ḇār (N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">words</a> <a href="/hebrew/2671.htm" title="2671: ḥiṣ·ṣām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- From chatsats; properly, a piercer, i.e. An arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear.">like arrows,</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-6.htm">James 3:6-8</a></span><br />The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. / All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, / but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Proverbs 12:18</a></span><br />Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13-14</a></span><br />“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” / “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-16.htm">Ephesians 6:16</a></span><br />In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-3.htm">Jeremiah 9:3</a></span><br />“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/57-4.htm">Psalm 57:4</a></span><br />My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts—with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3</a></span><br />They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-18.htm">Proverbs 25:18</a></span><br />Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-2.htm">Isaiah 49:2</a></span><br />He made My mouth like a sharp sword; He hid Me in the shadow of His hand. He made Me like a polished arrow; He hid Me in His quiver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/55-21.htm">Psalm 55:21</a></span><br />His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34-37</a></span><br />You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. / But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-7.htm">Psalm 10:7</a></span><br />His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/59-7.htm">Psalm 59:7</a></span><br />See what they spew from their mouths—sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/52-2.htm">Psalm 52:2</a></span><br />Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/11-2.htm">Psalm 11:2</a></span><br />For behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrow on the string to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:</p><p class="hdg">whet</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/57-4.htm">Psalm 57:4</a></b></br> My soul <i>is</i> among lions: <i>and</i> I lie <i>even among</i> them that are set on fire, <i>even</i> the sons of men, whose teeth <i>are</i> spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Proverbs 12:18</a></b></br> There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise <i>is</i> health.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/30-14.htm">Proverbs 30:14</a></b></br> <i>There is</i> a generation, whose teeth <i>are as</i> swords, and their jaw teeth <i>as</i> knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from <i>among</i> men.</p><p class="hdg">bend</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/11-2.htm">Psalm 11:2</a></b></br> For, lo, the wicked bend <i>their</i> bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/58-7.htm">Psalm 58:7</a></b></br> Let them melt away as waters <i>which</i> run continually: <i>when</i> he bendeth <i>his bow to shoot</i> his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/21-12.htm">Aim</a> <a href="/psalms/58-7.htm">Arrow</a> <a href="/psalms/58-7.htm">Arrows</a> <a href="/psalms/37-14.htm">Bend</a> <a href="/psalms/44-16.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/psalms/37-15.htm">Bows</a> <a href="/psalms/42-10.htm">Deadly</a> <a href="/job/32-14.htm">Directed</a> <a href="/job/41-30.htm">Pointed</a> <a href="/psalms/38-5.htm">Poisoned</a> <a href="/psalms/57-4.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/psalms/7-12.htm">Sharpen</a> <a href="/psalms/52-2.htm">Sharpened</a> <a href="/psalms/58-7.htm">Shoot</a> <a href="/psalms/55-21.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/psalms/63-10.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/psalms/59-7.htm">Swords</a> <a href="/psalms/57-4.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/psalms/59-7.htm">Tongues</a> <a href="/psalms/7-12.htm">Whet</a> <a href="/psalms/56-10.htm">Word</a> <a href="/psalms/59-12.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Aim</a> <a href="/psalms/64-7.htm">Arrow</a> <a href="/psalms/64-4.htm">Arrows</a> <a href="/psalms/95-6.htm">Bend</a> <a href="/psalms/69-10.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/psalms/66-4.htm">Bows</a> <a href="/psalms/91-3.htm">Deadly</a> <a href="/psalms/78-26.htm">Directed</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-11.htm">Pointed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-15.htm">Poisoned</a> <a href="/psalms/68-30.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Sharpen</a> <a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Sharpened</a> <a href="/psalms/64-4.htm">Shoot</a> <a href="/psalms/81-5.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/psalms/76-3.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/psalms/76-3.htm">Swords</a> <a href="/psalms/64-8.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/psalms/64-8.htm">Tongues</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Whet</a> <a href="/psalms/66-14.htm">Word</a> <a href="/psalms/65-2.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 64</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/64-1.htm">David prays for deliverance, complaining of his enemies</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/64-7.htm">He promises himself to see such an evident destruction of his enemies, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/64-10.htm">as the righteous shall rejoice at it.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/64.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/64.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>who sharpen their tongues like swords</b><br>This phrase uses the metaphor of a sword to describe the destructive power of words. In biblical times, swords were common weapons used in warfare, symbolizing both defense and aggression. The imagery suggests intentional preparation and malice, as sharpening a sword requires effort and skill. This reflects the deliberate nature of harmful speech. The Bible frequently warns against the misuse of the tongue, as seen in <a href="/james/3-6.htm">James 3:6</a>, which describes the tongue as a fire capable of great destruction. The psalmist's choice of metaphor highlights the potential for words to wound as deeply as physical weapons.<p><b>and aim their bitter words like arrows</b><br>Arrows, like swords, were prevalent in ancient warfare, known for their ability to strike from a distance. This imagery suggests precision and intent, as arrows must be carefully aimed to hit their target. The use of "bitter words" indicates speech filled with malice and resentment, designed to harm others. This aligns with <a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Proverbs 12:18</a>, which contrasts reckless words that pierce like a sword with the healing tongue of the wise. The psalmist's depiction of words as arrows underscores the idea that verbal attacks can be as calculated and damaging as physical ones. This metaphor also foreshadows the New Testament's emphasis on spiritual warfare, where believers are called to guard against the fiery darts of the enemy (<a href="/ephesians/6-16.htm">Ephesians 6:16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/64.htm">Psalm 64</a>, David is expressing his distress over the malicious words and schemes of his enemies.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies.htm">Enemies</a></b><br>The unspecified adversaries of David who use their words as weapons against him.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/metaphorical_imagery.htm">Metaphorical Imagery</a></b><br>The use of "swords" and "arrows" to describe the destructive power of words.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a></b><br>Words can be as destructive as physical weapons. We must be mindful of how we use our speech.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_verbal_attacks.htm">Guarding Against Verbal Attacks</a></b><br>Just as David sought protection from God against his enemies, we should seek divine help to guard our hearts and minds from harmful words.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/using_words_wisely.htm">Using Words Wisely</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to use our words to build up rather than tear down, reflecting the character of Christ in our speech.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>Recognize that verbal attacks can be part of spiritual warfare. Equip yourself with the armor of God to stand firm against such assaults.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_justice.htm">Seeking God's Justice</a></b><br>Trust in God's justice and timing when facing slander or false accusations, knowing that He sees and will act on our behalf.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_64.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 64</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_proof_david_wrote_psalm_64.htm">What proof exists that David truly authored Psalm 64, given the lack of concrete historical records to confirm its original context?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'lions'_in_psalm_57_4_poetic_or_literal.htm">Is the reference to enemies being like 'lions' in Psalm 57:4 simply poetic imagery, or does it exaggerate any verifiable historical threat David faced?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_verify_god_'broke_the_arrows'.htm">Psalm 76:3: How can we verify or reconcile the claim that God miraculously 'broke the arrows' and other battle gear with historical or archaeological evidence?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_god_both_loving_and_vengeful.htm">How can Psalm 64:7's portrayal of God shooting enemies with arrows be reconciled with a God described as loving in other scriptures?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/64.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) For the figure in this and the following verse, see <a href="/psalms/10-7.htm" title="His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.">Psalm 10:7</a>; <a href="/psalms/11-2.htm" title="For, see, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow on the string, that they may privately shoot at the upright in heart.">Psalm 11:2</a>; <a href="/psalms/52-2.htm" title="The tongue devises mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.">Psalm 52:2</a>; <a href="/psalms/57-4.htm" title="My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.">Psalm 57:4</a>; <a href="/psalms/59-7.htm" title="Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, does hear?">Psalm 59:7</a>.<p>"'Tis slander. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/64.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Who whet their tongue like a sword</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/55-21.htm">Psalm 55:21</a>; <a href="/psalms/57-4.htm">Psalm 57:4</a>; <a href="/psalms/59-7.htm">Psalm 59:7</a>). And bend their bows to shoot <span class="cmt_word">their arrows,</span> even <span class="cmt_word">bitter words</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/11-2.htm">Psalm 11:2</a>; <a href="/psalms/57-4.htm">Psalm 57:4</a>). Calumny was what David especially feared, and what actually brought about his downfall (see <a href="/2_samuel/15-2.htm">2 Samuel 15:2-6</a>). The "bitterness" of his enemies is further emphasized by the speeches and curses of Shimei (<a href="/2_samuel/16-5.htm">2 Samuel 16:5-13</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/64-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֤ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sharpen</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁנְנ֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(šā·nə·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8150.htm">Strong's 8150: </a> </span><span class="str2">To point, to pierce, to inculcate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their tongues</span><br /><span class="heb">לְשׁוֹנָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·šō·w·nām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">The tongue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like swords</span><br /><span class="heb">כַחֶ֣רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(ḵa·ḥe·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and aim</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּרְכ֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(dā·rə·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1869.htm">Strong's 1869: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tread, to walk, to string a, bow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their bitter</span><br /><span class="heb">מָֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(mār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4751.htm">Strong's 4751: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bitter, bitterness, bitterly</span><br /><br /><span class="word">words</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּבָ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(dā·ḇār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like arrows,</span><br /><span class="heb">חִ֝צָּ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḥiṣ·ṣām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2671.htm">Strong's 2671: </a> </span><span class="str2">A piercer, an arrow, a wound, thunderbolt, the shaft of a, spear</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/64-3.htm">Psalm 64:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/64-3.htm">Psalm 64:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/64-3.htm">Psalm 64:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/64-3.htm">Psalm 64:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/64-3.htm">Psalm 64:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/64-3.htm">Psalm 64:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/64-3.htm">Psalm 64:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/64-3.htm">Psalm 64:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/64-3.htm">Psalm 64:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/64-3.htm">Psalm 64:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/64-3.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 64:3 Who sharpen their tongue like a sword (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/64-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 64:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 64:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/64-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 64:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 64:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>