Psalm 64:3
ESV
who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows,
NIV
They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.
NASB
Who have sharpened their tongues like a sword. They aimed bitter speech as their arrows,
CSB
who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim bitter words like arrows,
NLT
They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows.
KJV
Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
NKJV
Who sharpen their tongue like a sword, And bend their bows to shoot their arrows—bitter words,
What does Psalm 64:3 mean?
David describes his enemies' words as deadly weapons, prepared specifically to cause harm. These men are plotting and scheming against him (Psalm 64:1–2). Their words are not accidents. Nor are their claims true. Rather, these foes speak deliberately to slander David. This plotting may have involved plans for violence (1 Samuel 19:11) or sedition to make people disloyal (2 Samuel 15:6, 13–14). Though many of the threats David faced were physical (1 Samuel 18:11; 23:5; 2 Samuel 21:15), he was also subject to the schemes and slights of others (Psalm 35:15–16).Just as David's enemy falsely accused him, so the Devil accuses believers day and night before God (Revelation 12:10). Apparently, the Devil has some level of access to God, but he will never topple God from His throne. Job 1:6 reports: "Now there was a day when the [angels] came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them." Satan's attempt was to falsely accuse Job of serving God only for the benefits God was giving him (Job 1:9–10). However, someday the accuser of believers will not be able to hurl another accusation against them, because he will "be thrown down" (Revelation 12:10). The apostle Paul was aware of Satan's evil strategy, He writes in 2 Corinthians 2:11: "We are not ignorant of his designs." Wise believers, like Paul, need to be aware of Satan's plots and schemes (1 Peter 5:8–11). But they do not need to fear him (Ephesians 6:10–18; 1 John 4:4).
