Psalms 64:1
Psalms 64:1 in Multiple Translations
Hear, O God, my voice of complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.
Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint: Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
O God, let the voice of my grief come to your ear: keep my life from the fear of those who are against me.
God, please listen to my complaint. Protect me because my enemies scare me.
To him that excelleth. A Psalme of David. Heare my voyce, O God, in my prayer: preserue my life from feare of the enemie.
To the Overseer. — A Psalm of David. Hear, O God, my voice, in my meditation, From the fear of an enemy Thou keepest my life,
Hear my voice, God, in my complaint. Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
To the end, a psalm of David. The canticle of Jeremias and Ezechiel to the people of the captivity, when they began to go out.
God, listen to me as I tell you the things that I am worried about. I am afraid of my enemies; so save/rescue me from them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 64:1
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 64:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לַ/מְנַצֵּ֗חַ
מִזְמ֥וֹר
לְ/דָוִֽד
לַ/מְנַצֵּ֗חַ
nâtsach
H5329
to conduct
Prep | V-Piel
מִזְמ֥וֹר
mizmôwr
H4210
melody
N-ms
לְ/דָוִֽד
Dâvid
H1732
David
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 64:1
לַ/מְנַצֵּ֗חַ
nâtsach
H5329
"to conduct"
Prep | V-Piel
To conduct or oversee, this word describes a leader or chief musician. In the Bible, it is used in the book of Psalms to describe the role of a music director. The word implies a sense of leadership and guidance.
Definition: 1) to excel, be bright, be preeminent, be perpetual, be overseer, be enduring 1a) (Niphal) enduring (participle) 1b) (Piel) to act as overseer or superintendent or director or chief Aramaic equivalent: ne.tsach (נְצַח "to distinguish oneself" H5330)
Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: excel, chief musician (singer), oversee(-r), set forward. See also: 1 Chronicles 15:21; Psalms 49:1; Psalms 4:1.
מִזְמ֥וֹר
mizmôwr
H4210
"melody"
N-ms
This word refers to a melody or song, often with instrumental music. In the Bible, it is used to describe a psalm or poem set to notes. The KJV translates it as psalm.
Definition: melody, psalm
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: psalm. See also: Psalms 3:1; Psalms 63:1; Psalms 4:1.
לְ/דָוִֽד
Dâvid
H1732
"David"
Prep | N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
Study Notes — Psalms 64:1
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 64:1 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 64:1
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 64:1
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 64:1
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 64:1
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 64:1
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 64:1
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 64:1
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 64:1
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 64:1
- Sermons on Psalms 64:1
Context — The Hurtful Tongue
1Hear, O God, my voice of complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.
2Hide me from the scheming of the wicked, from the mob of workers of iniquity, 3who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 34:4 | I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. |
| 2 | Psalms 143:1–3 | O LORD, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness, give ear to my plea; in Your righteousness, answer me. Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You. For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead. |
| 3 | Lamentations 3:55–56 | I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the depths of the Pit. You heard my plea: “Do not ignore my cry for relief.” |
| 4 | Psalms 140:1 | Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence, |
| 5 | Psalms 130:1–2 | Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy. |
| 6 | Acts 27:24 | and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And look, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.’ |
| 7 | Psalms 141:1 | I call upon You, O LORD; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to You. |
| 8 | Psalms 31:13–15 | For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side. They conspire against me and plot to take my life. But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. |
| 9 | Psalms 55:1–2 | Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea. Attend to me and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and distraught |
| 10 | Psalms 17:8–9 | Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. |
Psalms 64:1 Summary
Psalms 64:1 is a cry for help from someone who is scared and needs God's protection. The psalmist is asking God to keep them safe from people who want to hurt them. This verse reminds us that we can always go to God with our fears and worries, and trust that He will take care of us (as promised in Psalms 55:22 and Matthew 11:28). Just like the psalmist, we can ask God to preserve our lives and keep us safe from harm, and trust that He will answer our prayers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of complaint is the psalmist bringing to God in Psalms 64:1?
The psalmist is bringing a complaint of fear and dread of the enemy, seeking God's protection and preservation, similar to the cry for help in Psalms 55:2 and Psalms 61:1-2.
Who is the enemy the psalmist is afraid of in Psalms 64:1?
The enemy in this context is likely those who oppose God and His people, as seen in Psalms 64:2-3, and may include both physical and spiritual foes, as warned against in Ephesians 6:12.
How does God preserve our lives from the dread of the enemy?
God preserves our lives through His presence, protection, and power, as promised in Psalms 23:4 and Isaiah 41:10, and demonstrated in the lives of biblical heroes like David and Daniel.
What can we learn from the psalmist's example in Psalms 64:1?
We can learn to bring our fears and complaints to God in prayer, trusting in His sovereignty and love, as encouraged in Philippians 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:7.
Reflection Questions
- What are the things that fill my heart with dread and fear, and how can I bring them to God in prayer?
- How does the psalmist's cry for help in Psalms 64:1 encourage me to be honest with God about my own fears and struggles?
- In what ways can I trust God to preserve my life and protect me from the schemes of the enemy, as promised in Psalms 64:1?
- How can I apply the principle of casting my cares on God, as seen in 1 Peter 5:7, to my daily life and struggles?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 64:1
Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer,.... The prayer of the psalmist was vocal and expressed in a mournful manner, with groans and cries, as the word (z) used signifies, and with great ardour and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 64:1
Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Psalms 64:1-10.-Two strophes.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 64:1
Psalms 64 THE The matter of this Psalm plainly declares that it was made in a time when David was greatly distressed and reproached; which he was both under Saul, and in the time of Absalom’ s rebellion. The psalmist complaining of his enemies, and describing their crafty and wicked practices, prayeth unto God for guard and deliverance, ; foretelleth also their utter ruin, to the honour of God, and joy of the righteous, . From fear, i.e. from danger; the act or passion of fear being oft put for its object, danger, as , and oft elsewhere.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 64:1
Psalms 64:1 « To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. » Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.A Psalm of David] Of like argument with the former. The Arabic prefaceth, when Taluth (i.e. Saul) persecuted him. By this and many the like psalms we may see that David did not complain for nothing; and his singular constancy under so many trials may well make us resolve as Jerome did when he had read the Life of holy Hilarion, he rolled up the book and said, Well, Hilarion (David) shall be the champion that I will imitate. Ver. 1. Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer] Or, in my meditation. To an effectual prayer must concur meditation, invocation, affection, and belief of audience, as here. Preserve my life] Heb. lives; so usually called for the many faculties, operations, revolutions, commodities of life.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 64:1
(1) My prayer.—Rather, my cry, complaint, as in Psalms 55:2.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 64:1
PSALM LXIV The psalmist prays for preservation from the wicked, 1, 2; whom he describes, 3-6; shows their punishment, 7, 8; and the effect that this should have on the godly, 9, 10. NOTES ON PSALM LXIV The title, To the chief Musician, or conqueror, A Psalm of David. The Syriac says, "composed by David when warned by Gad the prophet, who said, Stay not in Masrob, because Saul seeks thy life." Some think it was composed by David when he was persecuted by Saul; or during the rebellion of Absalom. But Calmet thinks it is a complaint of the captives in Babylon. Verse 1. Hear my voice] The psalmist feared for his life, and the lives of his fellow-captives; and he sought help of God. He prayed, and he lifted up his voice; and thus showed his earnestness.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 64:1
1–6. Prayer for preservation from malicious enemies, who are plotting against the Psalmist with subtle treachery and resolute determination.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 64:1
Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer - The use of the word voice here would seem to imply that this was audible prayer, or that, though alone, he gave utterance to his petitions aloud.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 64:1
1. My prayer—The word “prayer,” here, takes the sense of complaint, as in Psalms 55:2, and title of Psalms 102, “not in tones of pain, but in words.”—Delitzsch.
Sermons on Psalms 64:1
| Sermon | Description | |
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God's Messengers by Elisabeth Elliot | Elisabeth Elliot preaches on how God can use those who annoy or offend us as His messengers, pushing us to seek His help for kindness, love, and patience beyond our own capabilitie |
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Psalm 64 by Henry Law | Henry Law preaches about the power of prayer as a refuge in times of trouble, highlighting how God's mercy-seat is a secure place where we can find shelter from the enemy's threats |
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The Lord Has Promised to Deliver You by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker begins by reading verses from Psalm 34 that emphasize the theme of deliverance. He then prays for an anointing and discusses how God deals with violence |
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Signs of an Active Faith (Compilation) by Compilations | In this sermon, the speaker expresses their belief in the power of God to provide everything they need to glorify Him. They see obedience to God and witnessing His power in the liv |
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The Lord Has Promised to Deliver You - Part 1 by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the theme of deliverance, drawing from the story of Hezekiah and the assurance that God hears the cries of His people and delivers them from all troubles. It |
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Seek God With All Your Heart by Bob Jennings | This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God wholeheartedly, praying with faith and belief in God's greatness to transform lives, heal, and bring individuals to higher grou |
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"Buts" Need to End (Clip) by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of fearing God and spending time in prayer as the most powerful tools to move the hand of God, rather than relying on worldly actions like pet |