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Illustration for Psalm 64: Protection From the Enemy

Psalm 64

Protection From the Enemy

When AfraidComfortProtection

David asks God to protect him from people who say sharp, hurtful words like arrows. But God has His own arrow — His justice! When He acts, everyone will see it and will be amazed at how God protects those who trust in Him.

  1. 1Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy.
  2. 2Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from that noisy crowd of evildoers.
  3. 3They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.
  4. 4They shoot from ambush at the innocent man; they shoot at him suddenly, without fear.
  5. 5They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, "Who will see them?"
  6. 6They plot injustice and say, "We have devised a perfect plan!" Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.
  7. 7But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be struck down.
  8. 8He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.
  9. 9All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what He has done.
  10. 10The righteous will rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in Him; all the upright in heart will glory in Him!

What it means

Words can hurt like arrows — this psalm says so plainly, and God takes that seriously. When people say sharp things about you, you do not have to fire back. God sees what was said, and He is able to protect you and put it right.

A little prayer

God, words can really hurt, and sometimes people say sharp things about me. Please protect me and help me not to fire hurtful words back. Thank You that You see everything and You keep me safe. Amen.

Memory verse

“Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy.”

Psalm 64:1 (BSB)

It hands the hurt somewhere rather than firing back.

Talk about it

Questions with no single right answer — for a family table or a Sunday-school circle.

  1. The psalm compares cruel words to arrows. What makes words feel like that?
  2. It says the people shooting them think nobody can see. Does that make it worse?
  3. Words in this psalm come back on the people who fired them. Have you seen that?
  4. What is a word someone said to you that stuck, good or bad?

Try this

Arrows and shields

Write on paper darts one unkind thing people say. Read them out, then screw each one up and bin it while saying one true kind thing instead.

You will need: Paper and a bin.

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)