Psalms 64:3
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
American King James Version (AKJV)
Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
American Standard Version (ASV)
Who have whet their tongue like a sword, And have aimed their arrows, even bitter words,
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Who make their tongues sharp like a sword, and whose arrows are pointed, even bitter words;
Webster's Revision
Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
World English Bible
who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and aim their arrows, deadly words,
English Revised Version (ERV)
Who have whet their tongue like a sword, and have aimed their arrows, even bitter words:
Definitions for Psalms 64:3
Clarke's Psalms 64:3 Bible Commentary
Who whet their tongue like a sword - They devise the evil they shall speak, and meditate on the most provoking, injurious, and defamatory words; as the soldier whets his sword that he may thereby the better cut down his enemies.
Their arrows - bitter words - Their defamatory sayings are here represented as deadly as poisoned arrows; for to such is the allusion here made.
Barnes's Psalms 64:3 Bible Commentary
Who whet their tongue like a sword - Who sharpen their tongue; that is, they utter words that will cut deep, or penetrate the soul. The idea is that of slander or reproach - the same idea which we have in Shakespeare (Cymbeline):
"'Tis slander;
Whose edge is sharper than the sword."
This comparison is a favorite one with David. Compare Psalm 52:2; Psalm 57:4; Psalm 59:7.
And bend their bows ... - That is, they prepare for this - as they make ready to shoot who bend their bows, and fix their arrows on the string. The idea here is, that this was deliberate, or was the result of counsel and purpose. It was not an outbreak of mere passion and excitement; it was by fixed design and careful preparation. See Psalm 11:2, note; Psalm 58:7, note.
Even bitter words - We apply the same term bitter now to words of malice and reproach.