Psalm 64:1
New International Version
For the director of music. A psalm of David. Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy.

New Living Translation
O God, listen to my complaint. Protect my life from my enemies’ threats.

English Standard Version
Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.

Berean Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Hear, O God, my voice of complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.

King James Bible
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

New King James Version
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation; Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

New American Standard Bible
For the music director. A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, God, in my complaint; Protect my life from dread of the enemy.

NASB 1995
For the choir director. A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; Preserve my life from dread of the enemy.

NASB 1977
Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; Preserve my life from dread of the enemy.

Legacy Standard Bible
For the choir director. A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; Guard my life from dread of the enemy.

Amplified Bible
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; Guard my life from the terror of the enemy.

Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director. A psalm of David. God, hear my voice when I am in anguish. Protect my life from the terror of the enemy.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director. A Davidic psalm. God, hear my voice when I complain. Protect my life from the terror of the enemy.

American Standard Version
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint: Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

Contemporary English Version
Listen to my concerns, God, and protect me from my enemies' threats.

English Revised Version
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[For the choir director; a psalm by David.] Hear my voice, O God, when I complain. Protect my life from a terrifying enemy.

Good News Translation
I am in trouble, God--listen to my prayer! I am afraid of my enemies--save my life!

International Standard Version
Hear, God, as I express my concern; protect me from fear of the enemy.

Majority Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Hear, O God, my voice of complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.

NET Bible
For the music director; a psalm of David. Listen to me, O God, as I offer my lament! Protect my life from the enemy's terrifying attacks.

New Heart English Bible
[For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.] Hear my voice, God, in my complaint. Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

Webster's Bible Translation
To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

World English Bible
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Hear my voice, God, in my complaint. Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
TO THE OVERSEER. A PSALM OF DAVID. Hear, O God, my voice, in my meditation, "" You keep my life from the fear of an enemy,

Young's Literal Translation
To the Overseer. -- A Psalm of David. Hear, O God, my voice, in my meditation, From the fear of an enemy Thou keepest my life,

Smith's Literal Translation
To the overseer; chanting to David. Hear, O God, my voice in my complaint: thou wilt guard my life from the fear of the enemy.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Unto the end, a psalm for David. Hear, O God, my prayer, when I make supplication to thee : deliver my soul from the fear of the enemy.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Unto the end. A Psalm of David. Hear, O God, my prayer of supplication. Rescue my soul from the fear of the enemy.

New American Bible
For the leader. A psalm of David. [2] O God, hear my anguished voice; from a dreadful foe protect my life.

New Revised Standard Version
Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from the dread enemy.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
HEAR my voice, O God, as I pray to thee; preserve my life from fear of mine enemy.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Hear my voice, oh, God, when I have made supplication to you, and keep me from the fear of my enemies.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For the Leader. A Psalm of David. Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; Preserve my life from the terror of the enemy.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the end, a Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O God, when I make my petition to thee; deliver my soul from fear of the enemy.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Hurtful Tongue
1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Hear, O God, my voice of complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy. 2Hide me from the scheming of the wicked, from the mob of workers of iniquity,…

Cross References
Psalm 61:1
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. Of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer.

Psalm 55:1-2
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea. / Attend to me and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and distraught

Psalm 17:1
A prayer of David. Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer—it comes from lips free of deceit.

Psalm 86:6
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and attend to my plea for mercy.

Psalm 143:1
A Psalm of David. O LORD, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness, give ear to my plea; in Your righteousness, answer me.

Psalm 31:2
Incline Your ear to me; come quickly to my rescue. Be my rock of refuge, the stronghold of my deliverance.

Psalm 4:1
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved my distress; show me grace and hear my prayer.

Psalm 5:1-2
For the choirmaster, to be accompanied by flutes. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. / Attend to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I pray.

Psalm 102:1
A prayer of one who is afflicted, when he grows faint and pours out his lament before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come before You.

Psalm 141:1
A Psalm of David. I call upon You, O LORD; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to You.

Psalm 18:6
In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.

Psalm 28:2
Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

Psalm 39:12
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers.

Psalm 130:2
O Lord, hear my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy.

Psalm 140:6
I say to the LORD, “You are my God.” Hear, O LORD, my cry for help.


Treasury of Scripture

Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

A.

Psalm 27:7
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

Psalm 55:1,2
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication…

Psalm 130:1,2
A Song of degrees. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD…

preserve

Psalm 17:8,9
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, …

Psalm 31:13-15
For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life…

Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

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Psalm 64
1. David prays for deliverance, complaining of his enemies
7. He promises himself to see such an evident destruction of his enemies,
10. as the righteous shall rejoice at it.














Hear, O God
The psalmist begins with a direct appeal to God, emphasizing the personal and intimate relationship between the believer and the Divine. The Hebrew word for "hear" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just listening but also understanding and responding. This reflects the psalmist's faith that God is attentive and responsive to the cries of His people. In the historical context, this plea is a common feature in the Psalms, where the psalmist often seeks God's intervention in times of distress.

my voice
The phrase "my voice" signifies the personal nature of the prayer. It is not just a silent thought or a general wish but a vocalized plea, indicating urgency and earnestness. In the Hebrew tradition, the voice is often seen as an expression of one's innermost thoughts and emotions. The psalmist's use of "my voice" underscores the sincerity and depth of his plea.

in my complaint
The word "complaint" here is translated from the Hebrew "שִׂיחַ" (siach), which can mean meditation, musing, or lament. It suggests a deep, thoughtful expression of distress. The psalmist is not merely grumbling but is thoughtfully presenting his troubles before God. This reflects a biblical pattern where believers are encouraged to bring their concerns to God, trusting in His wisdom and justice.

preserve my life
This phrase is a plea for protection and sustenance. The Hebrew root "נָצַר" (natsar) means to guard, watch over, or keep. The psalmist is asking God to actively protect him from harm. This reflects a common biblical theme where God is seen as a protector and sustainer of life, a refuge in times of trouble.

from dread of the enemy
The "dread" mentioned here is a profound fear or terror, translated from the Hebrew "פַּחַד" (pachad). It indicates an overwhelming sense of fear that can paralyze or consume an individual. The "enemy" is often understood in the Psalms as any force or person that opposes God's will or threatens the well-being of the faithful. Historically, this could refer to literal enemies in battle or metaphorical ones, such as sin or spiritual adversaries. The psalmist's request is for deliverance not just from physical harm but from the debilitating fear that can accompany such threats.

(1) My prayer.--Rather, my cry, complaint, as in Psalm 55:2.

Verse 1. - Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer; rather, in my complaint (Cheyne, Revised Version); see Psalm 55:2. Preserve my life from fear of the enemy. David already feels that it is not his deposition only, but his life, that is sought (comp. 2 Samuel 15:14; 2 Samuel 17:2).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For the choirmaster.
לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ (lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5329: To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent

A Psalm
מִזְמ֥וֹר (miz·mō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4210: Instrumental music, a poem set to notes

of David.
לְדָוִֽד׃ (lə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

Hear,
שְׁמַע־ (šə·ma‘-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

O God,
אֱלֹהִ֣ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

my voice
קוֹלִ֣י (qō·w·lî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

of complaint;
בְשִׂיחִ֑י (ḇə·śî·ḥî)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7879: A contemplation, an utterance

preserve
תִּצֹּ֥ר (tiṣ·ṣōr)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5341: To watch, guard, keep

my life
חַיָּֽי׃ (ḥay·yāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

from dread
מִפַּ֥חַד (mip·pa·ḥaḏ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6343: A, alarm

of the enemy.
א֝וֹיֵ֗ב (’ō·w·yêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary


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OT Poetry: Psalm 64:1 For the Chief Musician (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 63:11
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