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Psalm 64:8-10
New Catholic Bible
Psalm 64:8-10
New Catholic Bible
8 [a]However, God will shoot his arrows at them,[b]
and they will suddenly be struck down.
9 Their own tongues will bring them down,
and all who see them will wag their heads.[c]
10 [d]Then everyone will be in awe,
as they proclaim God’s mighty deeds
and contemplate what he has done.[e]
Footnotes
- Psalm 64:8 See notes on Pss 5:11; 35.
- Psalm 64:8 God will turn on the wicked the harm they wanted to do to the psalmist, as demanded by the law of talion (see Pss 7:13f; 9:16f; 35:7f; 37:15; 59:13f; 140:10). He will shoot his arrows at them (see Ps 38:3; Deut 32:42). The shame they had intended to bring upon the godly will fall back upon themselves (see Pss 22:8; 52:7-9; 59:11; Jer 48:26).
- Psalm 64:9 Wag their heads: a common gesture of ridicule (see Pss 22:8; 44:15; 109:25; Jer 48:27).
- Psalm 64:10 The psalmist encourages all to proclaim and ponder the acts of God (see Ps 2:10; Isa 41:20) and to turn to him in adversity. He will vindicate his servants who are righteous (see Pss 7:11; 11:2-7), and they will be in a position to give him praise (see Ps 7:18).
- Psalm 64:10 The wicked asked derisively, “Who will see us?” (v. 6) and were unafraid of the consequences of their actions. But when all humanity sees the power of God, fear will come upon everyone.
