For the music director; a psalm of David. 

David wrote this song for the music director of the Levites. The Levites would sing these songs during the appointed feasts of Israel.

64:1 Listen to me, O God, as I offer my lament! Protect my life from the enemy’s terrifying attacks. 

David was writing a funeral song for his enemies. He asked God to protect him from the terrifying attacks of his enemies.

64:2 Hide me from the plots of evil men, from the crowd of evildoers. 

David asked God to hide him from the evil men who were attacking him.

64:3 They sharpen their tongues like a sword; they aim their arrow, a slanderous charge, 64:4 in order to shoot down the innocent in secluded places. They shoot at him suddenly and are unafraid of retaliation.

The enemies of David sharpen their tongue like a sword. Their slanderous words were like arrows which pierced the skin. They were confident in their slanderous attacks because they did not fear retaliation from David.

64:5 They encourage one another to carry out their evil deed. They plan how to hide snares, and boast, “Who will see them?” 

The enemies of David encourage others to bring down David as well. They planned to trap David by snares. They boasted that no one will see these snares.

64:6 They devise unjust schemes; they disguise a well-conceived plot. Man’s inner thoughts cannot be discovered. 

These enemies of David devised unjust schemes in order to bring him down. They devised their plots so that they would not be recognized. They did not think that their inner thoughts about killing David could be discovered. 

64:7 But God will shoot at them; suddenly they will be wounded by an arrow. 

God is omniscient, so He knows the thoughts of David’s enemies. Therefore, God will shoot these evil men with His own arrows. These enemies of David will be wounded by divine arrows.

64:8 Their slander will bring about their demise. All who see them will shudder, 64:9 and all people will fear. They will proclaim what God has done, and reflect on his deeds. 

The slander of David’s enemies will backfire and bring them down. This fall will become a powerful witness to the enemies of David. David’s enemies will shudder with fear. This event will cause everyone else to fear God as well. They will proclaim and witness to others about how God rescued David.

64:10 The godly will rejoice in the Lord and take shelter in him. All the morally upright will boast.

Those who are godly are those who believe in Jehovah. They will rejoice by praising God. These events will cause them to take shelter in God. Those who are morally upright are the believers in Jehovah. They will boast about God’s protection.