5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter: [1] they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?

Other Translations of Psalm 64:5

New International Version

5 They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, "Who will see itOr "us" ?"

English Standard Version

5 They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, "Who can see them?"

The Message

5 They keep fit doing calisthenics of evil purpose, They keep lists of the traps they've secretly set. They say to each other, "No one can catch us,

New King James Version

5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter; They talk of laying snares secretly; They say, "Who will see them?"

New Living Translation

5 They encourage each other to do evil and plan how to set their traps in secret. "Who will ever notice?" they ask.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 64:5

Commentary on Psalm 64:1-6

(Read Psalm 64:1-6)

The psalmist earnestly begs of God to preserve him from disquieting fear. The tongue is a little member, but it boasts great things. The upright man is the mark at which the wicked aim, they cannot speak peaceably either of him or to him. There is no guard against a false tongue. It is bad to do wrong, but worse to encourage ourselves and one another in it. It is a sign that the heart is hardened to the greatest degree, when it is thus fully set to do evil. A practical disbelief of God's knowledge of all things, is at the bottom of every wickedness. The benefit of a good cause and a good conscience, appears most when nothing can help a man against his enemies, save God alone, who is always a present help.