MEDITATING ON PSALM 64  
 
Posted on Jan 28, 2017
 
Title: Hide Me from the Wicked (ESV) or
          Sudden Destruction for the Wicked (title from James Montgomery Boice)
 
Take a few moments to read Psalm 64.  This psalm was written by David (through the Holy Spirit’s direction) for the choir director.  I always wonder what the psalm would sound like sung to the music that David wrote for it.  Will we hear these psalms/songs in heaven?  I sure hope so.  What a blessing that would be.
 
First, let’s look at a few verses in detail: vs. 1 – “Hear my voice, O God [Elohim HEBREW], in my complaint (troubled thoughts); preserve my life… v. 2 Hide me…”  David is praying for God to intervene in his life to be his constant protection; v. 7 “But God [Elohim] will shoot at them (the wicked) with an arrow…”  God will intervene and come to his rescue in a mighty way. Then at the end of the psalm, we see in vs. 9 & 10, “then all men will fear and will declare the work of God [Elohim] and will consider what He has done. The righteous (godly) will be glad (rejoice) in the Lord [Hashem] and will take refuge (shelter) in Him; and let all the upright (who do right) in heart glorify (exalt/praise) Him.”
 
I find it fascinating that the Old Testament, written in Hebrew, uses various names for God; in this psalm we see ELOHIM and HASHEM.  What do they mean?  Is it important to take a further look?  I believe so.  ELOHIM means THE ALL-POWERFUL ONE and HASHEM means THE NAME, which we know as the Name which is above all names.  How can we love and serve someone who we don’t know fully?  That’s why these names are so important; they give us a greater depth of knowledge of our wonderful LORD GOD, who is the Triune God (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.)
 
Now let’s dig a little deeper into Psalm 64.  My Ryrie Study Bible says that Psalm 64 relates the plot of David’s enemies (vs. 1-6) and their punishment by God (vs. 7-10), but I wouldn’t stop there because the ending is so profound.  I would add, lastly, their proclaiming and pondering of the works of God (vs. 9-10).  In the end, all mankind will fear God and the righteous will surely rejoice in the Lord and praise Him forever.  How glorious; I can’t wait!
 
What does James Montgomery Boice have to say about Psalm 64 [see Psalms, Vol. 2]? Let’s take a look.

The Psalmist’s Complaint

The psalm begins by David asking God to hear his complaint.  To us the word complaint is negative.  We associate it with complaining and we don’t like people who complain.  But that is not the sense in which complaint occurs here.  Here the word refers to a formal allegation against the wicked by the psalmist, David, who is being unjustly treated by them. David brings his case to God [notes from page 524 – Boice]. 
 
Do you, when you are unjustly accused or attacked in some underhanded way?  Most of us don’t.  We retaliate.  We try to be our own defenders.  That is wrong and sinful, of course.  God says, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (Deut. 32:35; cf. Rom. 12:19).  For our part, we are told to love our enemies and overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21).  In this psalm, David’s enemies are not attacking him openly and directly, but rather behind his back and by malicious words.  So David does the only wise and effective thing, and that is to bring his complaint to God.  We too would be wise to bring everything to God, whatever our particular burden may be.  Peter learned to do that and later wrote to others, telling them,“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (I Peter 5:7) [notes from page 524 – Boice]. 
 
I love that verse in I Peter (5:7); it’s one that I meditate on almost on a daily basis and it brings me such comfort knowing that He truly cares for me.  And He cares for you, and all those who have called upon the Lord Jesus to be saved from their sins and born again (Rom. 3:23, 6:23, 10:9).  What a wonderful Lord and Savior!
 
Let’s finish up the psalm by once again looking at Boice’s instructions,

The Threat of the Wicked is seen in 5 ways [see notes on p. 524-526 for greater detail]:

  1. Their nature (v. 2)
  2. Their weapons (v. 3)
  3. Their methods (v. 4)
  4. Their plans (v. 5)
  5. Their pride (v. 6)   

 The Three Lessons to Be Drawn [see notes on p. 528]

  1. The wicked will be exposed and “shake their heads in scorn” (v. 8).
  2. The people will be directed to “fear God” and “ponder what He has done” (v. 9)
  3. The righteous will “rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in Him” (v. 10)
 
In Psalm 64 the judgment of these evil people is still in the future, but God’s people are told to rejoice even now, because the eventual sudden judgment of the wicked is so certain [notes taken from p. 528].  It takes faith to trust God, especially when there is much evil in the world; however we can by faith look ahead to the future when He will make everything right in the end [see the book of Revelation for the end of the story].
 
True faith in the LORD always wins the victory!
 
Personal notes by Lisa Patton (Bible notes from Ryrie and Boice)