Psalms 64:4 — Word Study
WLCלִיר֣וֹת בַּמִּסְתָּרִ֣ים תָּ֑ם פִּתְאֹ֥ם יֹ֝רֻ֗הוּ וְלֹ֣א יִירָֽאוּ׃
BSAwhichʼăsher to sharpenshânan swordchereb tonguelâshôwn to treaddârak arrowchêts Chroniclesdâbâr bittermar
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לִיר֣וֹת | to shoot | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| בַּמִּסְתָּרִ֣ים | in secret places | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| תָּ֑ם | [the] blameless | |
| פִּתְאֹ֥ם | suddenly | Adverb |
| יֹ֝רֻ֗הוּ | they shoot at him | Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine plural, suffix |
| וְלֹ֣א | and not | Conjunction, particle |
| יִירָֽאוּ׃ | they are afraid | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear. |
| KJV | That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. |
| ASV | That they may shoot in secret places at the perfect: Suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. |
| YLT | To shoot in secret places the perfect, Suddenly they shoot him, and fear not. |
| WEB | to shoot innocent men from ambushes. They shoot at him suddenly and fearlessly. |
| BBE | So that in secret they may let loose their arrows at the upright, suddenly and unseen. |
Where they part company is יֹ֝רֻ֗הוּ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has one main action and several phrases that describe the manner and context of the attack.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbמַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 64:4
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Schemes of the Wickedgenerated
Psalm 64:4 describes how the wicked plot against the innocent, ambushing them in secret. The psalmist highlights the fearlessness of the attackers as they strike unexpectedly. This reflects a broader theme in the psalm, which addresses the injustices faced by the righteous and the hidden dangers posed by the wicked, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 10:8–9 | He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless. |
| 2 | Nehemiah 4:11 | And our enemies said, “Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work.” |
| 3 | Habakkuk 3:14 | With his own spear You pierced his head, when his warriors stormed out to scatter us, gloating as though ready to secretly devour the weak. |
| 4 | Psalm 59:3–4 | See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD. |
| 5 | John 19:6 | As soon as the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” “You take Him and crucify Him,” Pilate replied, “for I find no basis for a charge against Him.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יֹ֝רֻ֗הוּ, yo.Ru.hugenerated
The verb יָרָא (*yarah*) means to shoot and is used here in the context of attacking. It indicates a sudden action, like releasing an arrow. The parsing as a hiphil imperfect suggests an ongoing action by the attackers, who are actively shooting at their target.
This word encompasses both literal and figurative meanings, relating to the act of shooting arrows or directing someone's attention. In this verse, it conveys the idea of the wicked launching a surprise attack against the innocent.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יֹ֝רֻ֗הוּ governs the action of the verse, with several phrases providing additional detail: a prepositional phrase indicating the location of the ambush, a noun phrase describing the target, and an adverbial phrase indicating the manner of the attack.
The structure emphasizes the suddenness of the attack, with the adverb פִּתְאֹ֥ם placed prominently to highlight the unexpected nature of the shooting.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb יָרָא is rendered as τόχον, which refers to the act of shooting. This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the focus on the action of the wicked.
The translation reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew, indicating a consistent understanding of the violent intent behind the act.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 64:4 describes how wicked people ambush the innocent in secret, shooting at them suddenly and without fear. This verse highlights the danger that the innocent face from those who plot against them.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To ambush the innocent means to attack them unexpectedly, often in a hidden or secretive manner, as described in this psalm.
The wicked shoot suddenly to catch their victims off guard, showing no fear of consequences for their actions.
In this context, 'innocent' refers to those who are morally pure and upright, contrasting with the wicked who plot against them.
This verse relates to other scriptures that discuss the schemes of the wicked and the protection of the innocent, as seen in passages like Psalm 10:8-9 and Nehemiah 4:11.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see the innocent being targeted in our world today?
- How can I be aware of hidden dangers that may threaten those who are innocent?
- What steps can I take to protect and support the innocent in my community?
- How does understanding this verse help me respond to injustice?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, reflecting on the wickedness of those who plot against the innocent.
"They have bended the bow, a bitter thing, in order that they may shoot in secret One unspotted" [Psalms 64:4]. The bow he calls lyings in wait.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 64 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 64:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThat they may shoot in secret at the perfect,.... Meaning himself, who though not without sin, and far from perfection in himself, in the sight of God and with respect to his righteous law, which was
Read John Gill on Psalms 64 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThat they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. That they may shoot in secret at the perfect - like night murderers waylaying the unwary traveler (Psalms 10:8-9).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 64 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleIn secret; lying in ambush, or hiding themselves in secret places, as fowlers commonly do. The perfect; or, upright man; i.e. at me, who in spite of all their calumnies dare avow that my heart is perfect with God, and that I am blameless as to them, having given them no just provocation. Suddenly; at the very first opportunity. Fear not; neither men, because they conceal it from them, as appears from the foregoing and following words; nor God, whose judgments they despise.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 64 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 64:4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.Ver. 4. That they may shoot in secret at the perfect] Innocence and integrity is no target against calumny; but every Zopyrus shall be sure of his Zoilus, who, right or wrong, will shoot him down if he can, Aliquid saltem adhaerebit (Machiavel). Suddenly do they shoot at him] As the hunter when he lieth hidden in a bush; or as when hedges are lined, as they call it, with musketeers, which gall and kill. And fear not] They are not at all touched either with reverence toward God or respect to man, but are utterly debauched, they ride on without reins, &c. There is an elegance in the original…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 64 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) And fear not.—These are utterly unscrupulous, fearing neither God nor man.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 64 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 4. That they may shoot in secret] They lurk, that they may take their aim the more surely, and not miss their mark. Suddenly] When there is no fear apprehended, because none is seen.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 64 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4. That they may shoot] Cp. Psalms 11:2. in secret] R.V., in secret places, as Psalms 10:8; Psalms 17:12. the perfect] The upright, blameless man, an epithet often applied to Job (Job 1:1, &c.). Cp. Psalms 37:37; Proverbs 29:10, and see note on the cognate word in Psalms 15:2. fear not] They neither fear God nor regard man. Cp. Psalms 55:19.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 64 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThat they may shoot in secret - From an unobserved quarter; from a place where they are so concealed that it cannot be known where the arrows come from.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 64 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear.
to shoot innocent men from ambushes. They shoot at him suddenly and fearlessly.
ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear.
in order to shoot down the innocent in secluded places. They shoot at him suddenly and are unafraid of retaliation.
Tyndale line
That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
That they may shoot in secret places at the perfect: Suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
That they may shoot in secret places at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
To shoote at the vpright in secrete: they shoote at him suddenly, and feare not.
Strictly literal
That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
To shoot in secret places the perfect, Suddenly they shoot him, and fear not.
To shoot the perfect in secret places, || Suddenly they shoot him, and do not fear.
(64:5) To shoot in secret at the innocent; suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
so that they may shoot from secret places at someone who is innocent; suddenly they shoot at him and fear nothing.
From the Latin
The words of the wicked have prevailed over us: and thou wilt pardon our transgressions.
Simplified
They shoot from their hiding places at innocent people—doing this without warning, not afraid of being caught.
So that in secret they may let loose their arrows at the upright, suddenly and unseen.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Psalms 64:4 reads, 'לִיר֣וֹת בַּמִּסְתָּרִ֣ים תָּ֑ם פִּתְאֹ֥ם יֹ֝רֻ֗הוּ וְלֹ֣א יִירָֽאוּ׃', which translates to 'ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear.' The Septuagint, while not providing a direct translation here, aligns closely with the Masoretic Text, matching 6 of the 7 words in a word-by-word correspondence. However, the exact wording and structure differ, as the Septuagint has its own sentence formation. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide a direct witness for this specific verse, so we cannot compare their readings. Overall, the Septuagint shows agreement in content but diverges in phrasing from the Masoretic Text.
לִיר֣וֹת בַּמִּסְתָּרִ֣ים תָּ֑ם פִּתְאֹ֥ם יֹ֝רֻ֗הוּ וְלֹ֣א יִירָֽאוּ׃
6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 64:4
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word יָרָא (*yarah*) encompasses meanings related to shooting, pouring, and throwing. It can refer to actions like shooting arrows or casting water, as well as figurative uses such as teaching or directing. The entries indicate that it has both a literal and a figurative range, with roots in the idea of flowing or pointing out.
[יָרָא] vb. shoot, pour
Qal shoot with arrows
Hiph. and they shot at; Pt. pl. the shooters, archers
Hoph. he that watereth shall himself also be watered
base
יָרָה vb. throw, shoot
Qal
throw, cast
cast (= lay, set), corner-stone; pillar
shoot arrows
throw water, rain
Niph. shot through (with arrows)
Hiph.
throw, cast
shoot (arrows)
throw water, rain
point out, shew
direct, teach, instruct
base
H3384a יָרָא shoot, pour H3384b יָרָה throw, shoot .. throw, cast
. cast (= lay, set), corner-stone; pillar
. shoot arrows
. throw water, rain
. shot through (with arrows)
. . throw, cast
. shoot (arrows)
. throw water, rain
. point out, shew
. direct, teach, instruct
3384 yarah yaw-raw'
or (2 Chr. 26:15) yara; {yaw-raw'}; a primitive root;
properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to
lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot);
figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to
teach:--(+) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew,
shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through.
יָרָא (ya.ra) — to shoot.
1) to shoot, pour
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to shoot arrows
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to shoot at
1b2) part. shooter, archer
1c) to throw water, rain
יָרָה (ya.rah) — to show.
1) to point out, show
1b) to direct, teach, instruct
HR/Vqcc — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
מִסְתָּר (mictar) refers to a secret or hiding place, often associated with concealment for protection or, in some contexts, for illicit activities. It is derived from the root meaning 'to conceal.' The entries consistently emphasize its use as a covert location.
מִסְתָּר n.[m.] secret place, hiding-place
base
H4565 מִסְתָּר secret place, hiding-place
4565 mictar mis-tawr'
from 5641; properly, a concealer, i.e. a
covert:--secret(-ly, place).
see HEBREW for 05641
מִסְתָּר (mis.tar) — hiding.
1) secret place, hiding place
1a) secret place
1b) hiding place
1b1) for protection
1b2) for perpetration of crime
HRd/Ncmpa — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHRd/Ncmpa
תָּם (tam) means complete or perfect, often with a moral connotation of innocence and integrity. It describes someone who is sound, wholesome, and lacking nothing in virtue or character. The word is built from the root associated with completeness and is used in contexts that emphasize moral purity.
תָּם adj. complete
complete, perfect
sound, wholesome
complete, morally innocent, having integrity
base
H8535 תָּם complete . complete, perfect
. sound, wholesome
. complete, morally innocent, having integrity
8535 tam tawm
from 8552; complete; usually (morally) pious; specifically,
gentle, dear:--coupled together, perfect, plain, undefiled,
upright.
see HEBREW for 08552
תָּם (tam) — complete.
1) perfect, complete
1a) complete, perfect
1a1) one who lacks nothing in physical strength, beauty, etc
1b) sound, wholesome
1b1) an ordinary, quiet sort of person
1c) complete, morally innocent, having integrity
1c1) one who is morally and ethically pure
HAamsa — HAamsa
פִּתְאֹם (pit'om) means 'suddenly' and can also refer to 'suddenness.' It is primarily used as an adverb to describe an unexpected occurrence. The word is derived from another Hebrew term, but the entries do not provide specific verses where it is used.
פִּתְאֹם, once פֵּתְאוֹם subst. suddenness, usu. as adv. acc. suddenly
base
H6597 פִּתְאֹם, once פֵּתְאוֹם suddenness, usu. as adv. acc. suddenly
6597 pith'owm pith-ome'
or pith.om {pith-ome'}; from 6621; instantly:--straightway,
sudden(-ly).
see HEBREW for 06621
פִּתְאֹם (pit.om) — suddenly.
adv
1) suddenly, surprisingly
subst
2) suddenness
HD — AdverbHD
The Hebrew word יָרָא (*yarah*) encompasses meanings related to shooting, pouring, and throwing. It can refer to actions like shooting arrows or casting water, as well as figurative uses such as teaching or directing. The entries indicate that it has both a literal and a figurative range, with roots in the idea of flowing or pointing out.
[יָרָא] vb. shoot, pour
Qal shoot with arrows
Hiph. and they shot at; Pt. pl. the shooters, archers
Hoph. he that watereth shall himself also be watered
base
יָרָה vb. throw, shoot
Qal
throw, cast
cast (= lay, set), corner-stone; pillar
shoot arrows
throw water, rain
Niph. shot through (with arrows)
Hiph.
throw, cast
shoot (arrows)
throw water, rain
point out, shew
direct, teach, instruct
base
H3384a יָרָא shoot, pour H3384b יָרָה throw, shoot .. throw, cast
. cast (= lay, set), corner-stone; pillar
. shoot arrows
. throw water, rain
. shot through (with arrows)
. . throw, cast
. shoot (arrows)
. throw water, rain
. point out, shew
. direct, teach, instruct
3384 yarah yaw-raw'
or (2 Chr. 26:15) yara; {yaw-raw'}; a primitive root;
properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to
lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot);
figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to
teach:--(+) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew,
shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through.
יָרָא (ya.ra) — to shoot.
1) to shoot, pour
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to shoot arrows
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to shoot at
1b2) part. shooter, archer
1c) to throw water, rain
יָרָה (ya.rah) — to show.
1) to point out, show
1b) to direct, teach, instruct
HVhi3mp/Sp3ms — Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine plural · suffixHVhi3mp/Sp3ms
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
HC/Tn — Conjunction · particleHC/Tn
יָרֵא (yare') is a Hebrew verb meaning to fear or be afraid, encompassing a range of meanings from reverence and honor to causing terror. It appears in various forms, including Qal (to fear), Niphal (to be fearful), and Piel (to terrify). The entries highlight its moral and emotional dimensions, emphasizing awe and respect, particularly in relation to the divine.
יָרֵא vb. fear
Qal
fear, be afraid
stand in awe of
fear, reverence, honour
Niph.
be fearful, dreadful
cause astonishment and awe
inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe
Piel. make afraid, terrify
base
H3372 יָרֵא fear .. fear, be afraid
. stand in awe of
. fear, reverence, honour
. . be fearful, dreadful
. cause astonishment and awe
. inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe
. make afraid, terrify
3372 yare' yaw-ray'
a primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to
frighten:--affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in)
fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), X see,
terrible (act, -ness, thing).
יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear.
: frightening(DANGER)
1) to fear, revere, be afraid
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fear, be afraid
1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed
1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared
1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe
1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe
1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify
2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear: revere.
: awesome(god)
1) to fear, revere, be afraid
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fear, be afraid
1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed
1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared
1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe
1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe
1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify
2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
Also means: ya.re (יָרֵא ": frightening" H3372)
HVqi3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
