Psalms 64:4

64:4 in order to shoot down the innocent ¹  in secluded places.

They shoot at him suddenly and are unafraid of retaliation. ² 

Psalms 11:2

11:2 For look, the wicked ³  prepare ⁴  their bows, ⁵ 

they put their arrows on the strings,

to shoot in the darkness ⁶  at the morally upright. ⁷ 

[64:4]  ¹ tn The psalmist uses the singular because he is referring to himself here as representative of a larger group.

[64:4]  ² tn Heb “and are unafraid.” The words “of retaliation” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

[11:2]  ³ tn In the psalms the “wicked” (רְשָׁעִים, rÿsha’im) are typically proud, practical atheists (Ps 10:2, 4, 11) who hate God’s commands, commit sinful deeds, speak lies and slander (Ps 50:16-20), and cheat others (Ps 37:21). They oppose God and threaten his people (Ps 3:8).

[11:2]  ⁴ tn The Hebrew imperfect verbal form depicts the enemies’ hostile action as underway.

[11:2]  ⁵ tn Heb “a bow.”

[11:2]  ⁶ sn In the darkness. The enemies’ attack, the precise form of which is not indicated, is compared here to a night ambush by archers; the psalmist is defenseless against this deadly attack.

[11:2]  ⁷ tn Heb “pure of heart.” The “heart” is here viewed as the seat of one’s moral character and motives. The “pure of heart” are God’s faithful followers who trust in and love the Lord and, as a result, experience his deliverance (see Pss 7:10; 32:11; 36:10; 64:10; 94:15; 97:11).