Psalms 64:4
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
American King James Version (AKJV)
That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
American Standard Version (ASV)
That they may shoot in secret places at the perfect: Suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
So that in secret they may let loose their arrows at the upright, suddenly and unseen.
Webster's Revision
That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
World English Bible
to shoot innocent men from ambushes. They shoot at him suddenly and fearlessly.
English Revised Version (ERV)
That they may shoot in secret places at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
Clarke's Psalms 64:4 Bible Commentary
That they may shoot in secret - They lurk, that they may take their aim the more surely, and not miss their mark.
Suddenly - When there is no fear apprehended, because none is seen.
Barnes's Psalms 64:4 Bible Commentary
That they may shoot in secret - From an unobserved quarter; from a place where they are so concealed that it cannot be known where the arrows come from. There was a purpose to ruin him, and at the same time to conceal themselves, or not to let him know from what source the ruin came. It was not an open and manly fight, where he could see his enemy, but it was a warfare with a concealed foe.
At the perfect - At the upright; at one who is perfect so far as his treatment of them is concerned. Compare Psalm 18:20, note; Psalm 18:23, note.
Suddenly do they shoot at him - At an unexpected time, and from an unlooked-for quarter. They accomplish what they intended; they carry out their design.
And fear not - They feel confident that they are not known, and that they will not be detected. They have no fear of God or man. Compare Psalm 55:19.