“"They have bended the bow, a bitter thing, in order that they may shoot in secret One unspotted" [Psalm 64:4]. The bow he calls lyings in wait. For he that with sword fights hand to hand, openly fights: he that shoots an arrow deceives, in order to strike. For the arrow smites, before it is foreseen to come to wound.…”
Augustine of Hippo, 5th c. — Exposition on Psalm 64
Original
4That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
Modern
Preparing…
Teens
Preparing…
Kids
Preparing…
In context
2Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
3Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
— Psalms 64:4 —
5They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
6They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.