shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't just describe sneaky attacks; it highlights the attackers' complete lack of fear, showing they are so brazen they "fear not" God or man while ambushing an innocent person. This isn't just about being caught off guard, but about the sheer audacity of those who attack the blameless without a shred of remorse or concern for consequences.
shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is detailing the malicious plots of his enemies, describing how they secretly aim their hurtful words and actions at him. These adversaries are depicted as cunning and cowardly, striking suddenly from hidden places without any fear of God or man, even though their target is someone who has been upright towards them.
Ever feel blindsided by criticism or malice? This verse paints a vivid picture of how enemies operate.
The psalmists describes enemies who launch attacks from the shadows, aiming at the upright. Notice the three key elements:
Why is the 'blameless' or 'perfect' person the target? It's not about being flawless, but about integrity.
The verse targets the 'blameless' and 'perfect' individual. It’s crucial to understand what this means in a biblical context.
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What drives people to act with such cruel disregard for others and for God?
The phrase 'and fear not' is a chilling descriptor of the attackers' mindset. It reveals a profound spiritual emptiness and defiance:
Understand the original words
tam · Hebrew Adjective
Refers to moral integrity; one who is free from guilt or defect, living in obedience to God’s law.
This psalm vividly portrays the experience of King David, who, despite his integrity and leadership, was constantly targeted by secret enemies employing slander and deceit, a common reality for those in positions of power and faithfulness during his turbulent reign.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David's Reign as King
David, the psalmist, reigned as king over Israel, facing numerous internal and external threats throughout his rule.
c. 1000-960 BC
Conspiracies and Treachery
David's reign was marked by frequent conspiracies and acts of treachery from enemies, both within his court and from surrounding nations.
Throughout David's Reign
Constant Threat of Warfare
David was almost constantly engaged in warfare, facing challenges from Philistines, Ammonites, Syrians, and internal rebellion.
This passage describes the wicked 'shooting from the shadows at the upright,' echoing the hidden, sudden attacks described in Psalm 64:4 and highlighting the theme of unseen danger directed at the innocent.
Psalms 55:19The psalmist finds deliverance from those who 'lie in wait' and 'suddenly shoot at him,' mirroring the sudden, fearful attacks and lack of fear from the aggressors in Psalm 64:4.
Proverbs 1:11This verse speaks of the wicked saying, 'Let us swallow them alive, like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down to the pit,' illustrating the malicious intent and hidden schemes used to destroy the upright, similar to the 'shooting in secret' described in Psalm 64:4.
Jeremiah 9:3Here, the prophet describes the people as having 'bent their tongues like their bows to shoot cunning missiles,' which directly parallels the imagery of shooting bitter words as arrows in Psalm 64:3-4, emphasizing the verbal attacks launched with deadly intent.
ellicottPsalms 64:4: "That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not."
(4) And fear not. —These are utterly unscrupulous, fearing neither God nor man.
poolePsalms 64:4: "That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not."
In 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 ap…
The verse doesn't just describe sneaky attacks; it highlights the attackers' complete lack of fear, showing they are so brazen they "fear not" God or man while ambushing an innocent person. This isn't just about being caught off guard, but about the sheer audacity of those who attack the blameless without a shred of remorse or concern for consequences.
The psalmist is detailing the malicious plots of his enemies, describing how they secretly aim their hurtful words and actions at him. These adversaries are depicted as cunning and cowardly, striking suddenly from hidden places without any fear of God or man, even though their target is someone who has been upright towards them.
The psalmist is detailing the malicious plots of his enemies, describing how they secretly aim their hurtful words and actions at him. These adversaries are depicted as cunning and cowardly, striking suddenly from hidden places without any fear of God or man, even though their target is someone who has been upright towards them.
"shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear." — The verse doesn't just describe sneaky attacks; it highlights the attackers' complete lack of fear, showing they are so brazen they "fear not" God or man while ambushing an innocent person. This isn'…
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Last reviewed October 2026