Psalm 64


Psalm 64 usually refers to the 64th psalm from the Book of Psalms according to the Masoretic numbering. It corresponds to Psalm 63 in the Septuagint numbering.

Content

It is divided into either 10 or 11 verses.
It is directed against the "wicked" and "workers of iniquity", whom God shall shoot with an arrow
Verses 6–7 have been the subject of confusion in early Bible translations; KJV translates the Hebrew as:
But Jerome, based on LXX, rendered this as
which translates to "They have searched after iniquities: they have failed in their search. Man shall accede to a lofty heart: And God shall be exalted. The arrows of children are their wounds."
The adjective altum in Latin has both the meanings "high" and "deep", and it is here used to translate LXX βαθεῖα "deep", but it offered itself to an interpretation of an "exalted heart". The "arrows of children" render LXX βέλος νηπίων, which has no correspondence in the Hebrew text as it has come down to us.
Jerome's translation gave rise to mystical interpretations involving the Sacred Heart in early modern Christian tradition.
The arrows of God leads to a turning to God. In verse 4 the wicked shoots arrows secretly at the righteous. In verse 7 God shoots arrows at the wicked, but for some these will be saving arrows as in verse 9 men will see the justice of God and ponder what he has done.

Uses

Catholic Church

This psalm was chosen by St. Benedict of Nursia around 530, for the solemn office at the lauds of Wednesday. In the Rule of St. Benedict, it was recited or sung after Psalm 51 and followed by Psalm 65 . A number of abbeys still retain this tradition since the 6th century.
In the current Liturgy of the Hours, Psalm 64 is recited or sung at the midday office on the Saturday of the second week.