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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 64:5 They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. "Who will see them?" they say.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/64-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/19_Psa_064_005.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 64:5 - The Hurtful Tongue" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. 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they say, &#8220Who will see it?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/64.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They encourage each other to do evil and plan how to set their traps in secret. “Who will ever notice?” they ask.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/64.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see them?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/64.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. “Who will see them?” they say.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/64.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They encourage themselves <i>in</i> an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/64.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They encourage themselves <i>in</i> an evil matter; They talk of laying snares secretly; They say, “Who will see them?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/64.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They make firm for themselves an evil purpose; They talk of setting snares secretly; They say, “Who can see them?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/64.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They hold fast to themselves an evil purpose; They talk of laying snares secretly; They say, &#8220Who can see them?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/64.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They hold fast to themselves an evil purpose; They talk of laying snares secretly; They say, “Who can see them?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/64.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They hold fast to themselves an evil purpose; They talk of laying snares secretly; They say, “Who can see them?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/64.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They encourage themselves in [their pursuit of] an evil agenda; They talk of laying snares secretly; They say, “Who will discover us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/64.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They adopt an evil plan; they talk about hiding traps and say, “Who will see them? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/64.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They encourage each other in an evil plan; they talk about hiding traps and say,&#8221 Who will see them?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/64.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They encourage themselves in an evil purpose; They commune of laying snares privily; They say, Who will see them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/64.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They are determined to do evil, and they tell themselves, "Let's set traps! No one can see us." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/64.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They encourage themselves in an evil purpose; they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/64.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They encourage one another in their evil plans. They talk about setting traps and say, "Who can see them?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/64.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They encourage each other in their evil plots; they talk about where they will place their traps. "No one can see them," they say. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/64.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They concoct an evil scheme for themselves; they enumerate their hidden snares; they say, "Who will see them?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/64.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. ?Who will see them?? they say.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/64.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They encourage one another to carry out their evil deed. They plan how to hide snares, and boast, "Who will see them?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/64.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They encourage themselves in evil plans. They talk about laying snares secretly. They say, "Who will see them?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/64.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who will see them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/64.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They encourage themselves in evil plans. They talk about laying snares secretly. They say, “Who will see them?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/64.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They strengthen an evil thing for themselves, "" They recount of the hiding of snares, "" They have said, “Who looks at it?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/64.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> They strengthen for themselves an evil thing, They recount of the hiding of snares, They have said, 'Who doth look at it?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/64.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They will strengthen to themselves an evil word: they will recount to hide snares; they said, Who shall see them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/64.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They will shoot at him on a sudden, and will not fear: they are resolute in wickedness. They have talked of hiding snares; they have said: Who shall see them? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/64.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 63:6>They will suddenly shoot arrows at him, and they will not be afraid. They are resolute in their wicked talk. They have discussed hidden snares. They have said, “Who will see them?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/64.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They resolve on their wicked plan; they conspire to set snares; they say: “Who will see us?” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/64.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see us?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/64.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They encourage themselves with evil speech; they plan to hide snares; they say, Who shall see us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/64.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And their evil words prevailed, and they have conceived to bury snares and they said, "Who sees us?"<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/64.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They encourage one another in an evil matter; They converse of laying snares secretly; They ask, who would see them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/64.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />They have set up for themselves an evil matter, they have given counsel to hide snares; they have said, Who shall see them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/64-5.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=7466" 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">4</span>ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2388.htm" title="2388: yə·ḥaz·zə·qū- (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong, obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer.">They hold fast</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·mōw (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">to their evil</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.">purpose;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5608.htm" title="5608: yə·sap·pə·rū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To count, recount, relate. ">they speak</a> <a href="/hebrew/2934.htm" title="2934: liṭ·mō·wn (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To hide, conceal. A primitive root; to hide.">of hiding</a> <a href="/hebrew/4170.htm" title="4170: mō·wq·šîm (N-mp) -- A bait or lure, a snare. Or moqesh; from yaqosh; a noose: by implication, a hook.">their snares.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">“Who</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: yir·’eh- (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">will see</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·mōw (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">them?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mə·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">they say.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>They devise injustice and say, “We have perfected a secret plan.” For the inner man and the heart are mysterious.…<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="/proverbs/1-11.htm">Proverbs 1:11-12</a></span><br />If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, / let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-18.htm">Jeremiah 18:18</a></span><br />Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/2-1.htm">Micah 2:1</a></span><br />Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-15.htm">Isaiah 29:15</a></span><br />Woe to those who dig deep to hide their plans from the LORD. In darkness they do their works and say, “Who sees us, and who will know?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-8.htm">Psalm 10:8-9</a></span><br />He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless. / He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net.<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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-12.htm">Psalm 37:12</a></span><br />The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/140-2.htm">Psalm 140:2-5</a></span><br />who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long. / They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah / Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-18.htm">Proverbs 6:18</a></span><br />a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/32-7.htm">Isaiah 32:7</a></span><br />The weapons of the scoundrel are destructive; he hatches plots to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-4.htm">Matthew 26:4</a></span><br />and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-1.htm">Mark 14:1</a></span><br />Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-19.htm">Luke 20:19-20</a></span><br />When the scribes and chief priests realized that Jesus had spoken this parable against them, they sought to arrest Him that very hour. But they were afraid of the people. / So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-53.htm">John 11:53</a></span><br />So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/23-12.htm">Acts 23:12-15</a></span><br />When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privately; they say, Who shall see them?</p><p class="hdg">encourage</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/15-9.htm">Exodus 15:9</a></b></br> The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/22-6.htm">Numbers 22:6</a></b></br> Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they <i>are</i> too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, <i>that</i> we may smite them, and <i>that</i> I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest <i>is</i> blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/1-11.htm">Proverbs 1:11-14</a></b></br> If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: … </p><p class="hdg">matter.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/23-19.htm">1 Samuel 23:19-23</a></b></br> Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which <i>is</i> on the south of Jeshimon? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/23-15.htm">Matthew 23:15</a></b></br> Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/26-3.htm">Matthew 26:3,4</a></b></br> 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, … </p><p class="hdg">of laying snares [heb.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/124-7.htm">Psalm 124:7</a></b></br> Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/140-5.htm">Psalm 140:5</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="hdg">Who</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/10-11.htm">Psalm 10:11</a></b></br> He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see <i>it</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/59-7.htm">Psalm 59:7</a></b></br> Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords <i>are</i> in their lips: for who, <i>say they</i>, doth hear?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/94-7.htm">Psalm 94:7</a></b></br> Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard <i>it</i>.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/4-4.htm">Commune</a> <a href="/psalms/55-14.htm">Converse</a> <a href="/psalms/10-17.htm">Encourage</a> <a href="/psalms/64-2.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/63-8.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/psalms/54-1.htm">Hiding</a> <a href="/psalms/63-8.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/job/38-40.htm">Holes</a> <a href="/esther/3-6.htm">Laying</a> <a href="/psalms/58-5.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/psalms/38-12.htm">Nets</a> <a href="/psalms/55-9.htm">Plans</a> <a href="/psalms/31-4.htm">Privily</a> <a href="/psalms/64-2.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/psalms/59-12.htm">Recount</a> <a href="/psalms/64-4.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/psalms/41-7.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/psalms/38-12.htm">Snares</a> <a href="/psalms/41-3.htm">Strengthen</a> <a href="/psalms/62-11.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/psalms/55-14.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/psalms/59-4.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/job/21-27.htm">Thinking</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/77-6.htm">Commune</a> <a href="/psalms/83-3.htm">Converse</a> <a href="/psalms/138-3.htm">Encourage</a> <a href="/psalms/64-8.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/65-6.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/psalms/81-7.htm">Hiding</a> <a href="/psalms/66-11.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/songs/2-14.htm">Holes</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-17.htm">Laying</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-13.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">Nets</a> <a href="/psalms/83-3.htm">Plans</a> <a href="/psalms/101-5.htm">Privily</a> <a href="/psalms/64-6.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/psalms/66-16.htm">Recount</a> <a href="/psalms/64-6.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/psalms/71-10.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">Snares</a> <a href="/psalms/68-28.htm">Strengthen</a> <a href="/psalms/68-28.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/psalms/69-12.htm">Talk</a> <a href="/psalms/64-8.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-7.htm">Thinking</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>They hold fast to their evil purpose;</b><br>This phrase highlights the determination and persistence of the wicked in their plans. Biblically, this reflects the nature of sin as described in <a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5</a>, where the thoughts of man's heart were only evil continually. The Hebrew word for "hold fast" suggests a strong grip or commitment, indicating that these individuals are not easily swayed from their intentions. This mirrors the stubbornness of Pharaoh in Exodus, who repeatedly hardened his heart against God's commands. Theologically, it underscores the concept of total depravity, where human nature is inclined towards sin without divine intervention.<p><b>they speak of hiding their snares.</b><br>The imagery of snares is common in the Psalms, often symbolizing traps set by the wicked to ensnare the righteous (<a href="/psalms/140-5.htm">Psalm 140:5</a>). In ancient times, snares were used by hunters to catch animals, and metaphorically, they represent deceitful schemes. This reflects the cunning nature of evil, as seen in the serpent's deception in <a href="/genesis/3.htm">Genesis 3</a>. The act of hiding these snares suggests secrecy and deceit, akin to the Pharisees' plots against Jesus (<a href="/matthew/26-4.htm">Matthew 26:4</a>). It also points to the spiritual warfare believers face, as described in <a href="/ephesians/6-11.htm">Ephesians 6:11</a>, where the devil's schemes are likened to traps.<p><b>“Who will see them?” they say.</b><br>This rhetorical question reveals the arrogance and false security of the wicked, believing their actions are hidden from both man and God. It echoes the sentiment found in <a href="/psalms/10-11.htm">Psalm 10:11</a>, where the wicked think God does not see or care about their actions. This reflects a misunderstanding of God's omniscience, as stated in <a href="/proverbs/15-3.htm">Proverbs 15:3</a>, where the eyes of the Lord are everywhere. Historically, this attitude can be seen in the behavior of those who opposed God's prophets, believing they could act without consequence. Theologically, it serves as a warning against the folly of underestimating God's awareness and justice, reminding believers of the ultimate accountability before God, as seen in <a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</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 concerns about the wicked and their secretive plots against the righteous.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked.htm">The Wicked</a></b><br>- The individuals who are plotting evil and setting snares, as described in this verse.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_righteous.htm">The Righteous</a></b><br>- Implicitly present as the targets of the wicked's schemes, representing those who follow God's ways.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/snares.htm">Snares</a></b><br>- Metaphorical traps set by the wicked to ensnare the righteous, symbolizing deceit and hidden dangers.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>- Although not directly mentioned in this verse, God is the ultimate judge and protector who sees all hidden actions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_deceptive_nature_of_evil.htm">The Deceptive Nature of Evil</a></b><br>Evil often operates in secrecy, believing it can escape detection. As Christians, we must be vigilant and discerning, recognizing that God sees all hidden motives and actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_hidden_sin.htm">The Futility of Hidden Sin</a></b><br>The wicked may believe their actions are unseen, but Scripture assures us that God is aware of all. This should encourage us to live transparently and righteously, knowing that nothing is hidden from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_justice.htm">Trust in God's Justice</a></b><br>While the wicked may plot in secret, we can trust that God will ultimately bring justice. This assurance allows us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when facing hidden adversities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_integrity.htm">The Importance of Integrity</a></b><br>As followers of Christ, we are called to live with integrity, avoiding deceit and hidden agendas. Our lives should reflect the light of Christ, standing in contrast to the darkness of secretive evil.<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/what_does_god's_sovereignty_mean.htm">What does God's sovereignty mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_psalm_69_curses_fit_with_mercy.htm">Psalm 69:22-28 calls down curses on enemies--how does this fit with other biblical teachings on mercy and forgiveness (e.g., Matthew 5:44)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_divine_arrows_explain_job's_suffering.htm">In Job 6:4, how could divine arrows filled with poison be reconciled with any natural or historical cause of Job's suffering?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_psalm_12_5_with_ongoing_suffering.htm">How do we resolve the seeming conflict between Psalm 12:5, where God promises protection for the poor, and other biblical passages where the suffering of the righteous continues unabated?</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>(5) <span class= "bld">They encourage themselves.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">they strengthen for themselves an evil thing </span>(or "word," margin, LXX., and Vulg.,) which evidently means that they take their measures carefully, and are prepared to carry them out resolutely.<p><span class= "bld">They commune . . .</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">they calculate how they may lay snares privily. </span>The conspirators carefully and in secret go over every detail of their plot.<p><span class= "bld">Who shall see them?</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">who shall look to them? </span>which seems at first glance to mean, "who will see the snares?" but this is weak. It may be equivalent to, <span class= "ital">"</span>who is likely to see us?" the question being put indirectly. But in <a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm" title="But the LORD said to Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.">1Samuel 16:7</a>, the expression, "looketh on," implies "regard for," which may possibly be the meaning here, "who careth for them?"<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/64.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They encourage themselves in an evil matter;</span> or, <span class="accented">in an evil scheme</span> - the plan of making David unpopular, and then raising the standard of open revolt against him (<a href="/2_samuel/15-1.htm">2 Samuel 15:1-12</a>). <span class="cmt_word">They commune of laying snares privily.</span> The ungodly continually set traps for the righteous, who are so simple that they often fall into them. We do not know the exact proceedings of his enemies against David at the time, the narrative of <a href="/2_samuel/15.htm">2 Samuel 15</a> being so brief; but it was probably by some trickery that David was induced to quit the stronghold of Jerusalem, and so yield the seat of government, and many other advantages, to his rival. <span class="cmt_word">They say, Who shall see them?</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/10-11.htm">Psalm 10:11</a>; <a href="/psalms/59-7.htm">Psalm 59:7</a>; <a href="/psalms/94-7.htm">Psalm 94:7</a>). It is an inveterate folly for men to imagine, either that God will not see their actions, or that he will pay no heed to them. A spurious humility is brought into play in the latter case - How can it be supposed that God will note the doings of such worms as men? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/64-5.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">They hold fast</span><br /><span class="heb">יְחַזְּקוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḥaz·zə·qū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2388.htm">Strong's 2388: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to their evil</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֗ע</span> <span class="translit">(rā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">purpose;</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּ֘בָ֤ר</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">they speak</span><br /><span class="heb">יְֽ֭סַפְּרוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·sap·pə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5608.htm">Strong's 5608: </a> </span><span class="str2">To count, recount, relate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of hiding</span><br /><span class="heb">לִטְמ֣וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(liṭ·mō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2934.htm">Strong's 2934: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hide, conceal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their snares.</span><br /><span class="heb">מוֹקְשִׁ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(mō·wq·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4170.htm">Strong's 4170: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bait or lure, a snare</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will see</span><br /><span class="heb">יִרְאֶה־</span> <span class="translit">(yir·’eh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them?”</span><br /><span class="heb">לָּֽמוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">they say.</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֝מְר֗וּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/64-5.htm">Psalm 64:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/64-5.htm">Psalm 64:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/64-5.htm">Psalm 64:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/64-5.htm">Psalm 64:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/64-5.htm">Psalm 64:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/64-5.htm">Psalm 64:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/64-5.htm">Psalm 64:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/64-5.htm">Psalm 64:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/64-5.htm">Psalm 64:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/64-5.htm">Psalm 64:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/64-5.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 64:5 They encourage themselves in evil plans (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/64-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 64:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 64:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/64-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 64:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 64:6" /></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>