who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The poet highlights how the enemies' words are not just angry outbursts, but carefully prepared and aimed weapons, sharpened like swords and readied like arrows. This shows their malicious intent was deliberate and not spontaneous, aiming to inflict deep wounds.
who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is crying out to God because of enemies who are fiercely plotting against him. These adversaries are not just making idle threats; they are meticulously planning their attacks, sharpening their words like weapons to inflict deep harm and slander his reputation. They are acting with deliberate malice, aiming their cruel speech like hidden arrows to strike him down.
Ever feel like someone's words cut you deeper than any physical pain? David felt that keenly.
David uses two powerful metaphors here to describe the malicious speech of his enemies:
Why would someone craft words to inflict such pain? David reveals the strategic, hidden nature of the attack.
Beyond the sharpness of their words, David points to the careful planning and hidden nature of his enemies' attacks:
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While the Psalms were composed over centuries, Psalm 64 vividly captures the intense personal danger and pervasive atmosphere of deceit and slander faced by David during his tumultuous reign. The imagery of sharp swords and poisoned arrows speaks to the very real threat of malicious words used as weapons, a constant peril in the ancient Near East's political landscape.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David's Reign as King
David served as the second king of Israel, facing numerous internal and external threats throughout his reign, including treacherous plots and slander from enemies.
c. 1000-960 BC
David's Military Campaigns and Court Intrigues
David's kingship involved constant warfare and navigating complex political relationships, making him a target for rivals and those seeking to undermine his authority through deceitful words.
c. 970 BC
Absalom's Rebellion
David's son Absalom led a rebellion against him, fueled by popular discontent and David's own past sins, which involved widespread slander and betrayal.
c. 930 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom of Israel split into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah, leading to ongoing conflict and animosity.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling its population and scattering the tribes, a period of immense trauma and political upheaval.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Neo-Babylonian Empire conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, and exiled much of the population, a devastating blow to Jewish identity and faith.
This passage also uses the vivid imagery of swords and arrows to describe the malicious words spoken against the psalmist, highlighting the sharp and piercing nature of slander.
Psalms 59:7Here, the enemies' words are again compared to weapons – swords and bows ready to shoot arrows – emphasizing their hostile intent and the immediate danger posed by their speech.
Proverbs 26:18-19This proverb parallels the idea of harmful words with the deception of a madman wielding weapons, illustrating how destructive and irrational malicious speech can be, much like the 'bitter words' in Psalms 64:3.
Jeremiah 9:3This verse directly equates the tongue with a bow that shoots arrows, and lies with poison, powerfully illustrating the deadly and deceitful nature of malicious speech that the Psalmist describes.
Matthew 12:36-37Jesus speaks of being held accountable for every careless word, underscoring the profound spiritual weight and potential harm of 'bitter words,' aligning with the Psalmist's portrayal of verbal attacks.
ellicottPsalms 64:3: "Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:"
(3) For the figure in this and the following verse, see Psalm 10:7 ; Psalm 11:2 ; Psalm 52:2 ; Psalm 57:4 ; Psalm 59:7 . “’Tis slander. Whose edge is sharper than the sword.” SHAKESPEARE. For the ellipse in “they bend (literally, tread) their arrows,” see Psalm 58:7.
poolePsalms 64:3: "Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:"
Bend their bows to shoot their arrows; of which phrase See Poole "Psalm 58:7" . Bitter words ; slanderous and pernicious speeches against me.
The poet highlights how the enemies' words are not just angry outbursts, but carefully prepared and aimed weapons, sharpened like swords and readied like arrows. This shows their malicious intent was deliberate and not spontaneous, aiming to inflict deep wounds.
The psalmist is crying out to God because of enemies who are fiercely plotting against him. These adversaries are not just making idle threats; they are meticulously planning their attacks, sharpening their words like weapons to inflict deep harm and slander his reputation. They are acting with deliberate malice, aiming their cruel speech like hidden arrows to strike him down.
The psalmist is crying out to God because of enemies who are fiercely plotting against him. These adversaries are not just making idle threats; they are meticulously planning their attacks, sharpening their words like weapons to inflict deep harm and slander his reputation. They are acting with deliberate malice, aiming their cruel speech like hidden arrows to strike him down.
"who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows," — The poet highlights how the enemies' words are not just angry outbursts, but carefully prepared and aimed weapons, sharpened like swords and readied like arrows. This shows their malicious intent was…
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Last reviewed October 2026