Psalms 64:3 Meaning and Explanation
“Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Enemies sharpen their speech as weapons and aim bitter words like arrows.
The Context of Psalms 64:3
Description of enemies' weapon: carefully crafted, hurtful words.
What Does Psalms 64:3 Mean?
The metaphor shifts from literal weapons to the power of words. Sharpening the tongue means refining speech to wound, while bending the bow and shooting arrows suggests deliberate, aimed attacks. These are not careless insults but carefully crafted blows.
Bitter words carry venom—they are designed to hurt, shame, or destroy reputation and hope. The comparison to weaponry shows that the psalmist understands verbal assault as a genuine form of violence, not mere disagreement or criticism.
Psalms 64:3 in the Original Language
lāshôn (לָשׁוֹן), 'tongue'—the instrument of both blessing and cursing, here sharpened for harm.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 64:3
What does Psalms 64:3 mean?
Enemies sharpen their speech as weapons and aim bitter words like arrows.
What is the context of Psalms 64:3?
Description of enemies' weapon: carefully crafted, hurtful words.