Psalm 64:6
New International Version
They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!” Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

New Living Translation
As they plot their crimes, they say, “We have devised the perfect plan!” Yes, the human heart and mind are cunning.

English Standard Version
They search out injustice, saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.” For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.

Berean Standard Bible
They devise injustice and say, “We have perfected a secret plan.” For the inner man and the heart are mysterious.

King James Bible
They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

New King James Version
They devise iniquities: “We have perfected a shrewd scheme.” Both the inward thought and the heart of man are deep.

New American Standard Bible
They devise injustices, saying, “We are ready with a well-conceived plot”; For the inward thought and the heart of a person are deep.

NASB 1995
They devise injustices, saying, “We are ready with a well-conceived plot"; For the inward thought and the heart of a man are deep.

NASB 1977
They devise injustices, saying, “We are ready with a well-conceived plot”; For the inward thought and the heart of a man are deep.

Legacy Standard Bible
They searched out unrighteousness, saying, “We have completed a diligent search”; For the inward thought of a man and his heart are deep.

Amplified Bible
They devise acts of injustice, saying, “We are ready with a well-conceived plan.” For the inward thought and the heart of a man are deep (mysterious, unsearchable).

Christian Standard Bible
They devise crimes and say, “We have perfected a secret plan.” The inner man and the heart are mysterious.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They devise crimes and say,” We have perfected a secret plan.” The inner man and the heart are mysterious.

American Standard Version
They search out iniquities; We have accomplished, say they, a diligent search: And the inward thought and the heart of every one is deep.

Contemporary English Version
They make evil plans and say, "We'll commit a perfect crime. No one knows our thoughts."

English Revised Version
They search out iniquities; We have accomplished, say they, a diligent search: and the inward thought of every one, and the heart, is deep.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They search for the perfect crime and say, "We have perfected a foolproof scheme!" Human nature and the human heart are a mystery!

Good News Translation
They make evil plans and say, "We have planned a perfect crime." The human heart and mind are a mystery.

International Standard Version
They devise wicked schemes, saying, "We have completed our plans, hiding them deep in our hearts."

Majority Standard Bible
They devise injustice and say, ?We have perfected a secret plan.? For the inner man and the heart are mysterious.

NET Bible
They devise unjust schemes; they disguise a well-conceived plot. Man's inner thoughts cannot be discovered.

New Heart English Bible
They plot injustice; they hide a well-conceived plan. Surely man's mind and heart are cunning.

Webster's Bible Translation
They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

World English Bible
They plot injustice, saying, “We have made a perfect plan!” Surely man’s mind and heart are cunning.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
They search out perverse things, “We perfected a searching search,” "" And the inward part of man, and the heart, [are] deep.

Young's Literal Translation
They search out perverse things, 'We perfected a searching search,' And the inward part of man, and the heart are deep.

Smith's Literal Translation
They will search out iniquities; they completed a search searched out: and a man drew near, and a deep heart.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They have searched after iniquities: they have failed in their search. Man shall come to a deep heart:

Catholic Public Domain Version
They have been searching carefully for iniquities. Their exhaustive search has failed. Man will approach with a deep heart,

New American Bible
They devise wicked schemes, conceal the schemes they devise; the designs of their hearts are hidden.

New Revised Standard Version
Who can search out our crimes? We have thought out a cunningly conceived plot.” For the human heart and mind are deep.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They plan wickedness, but they are destroyed in order to consume evil from among men and from the depths of the heart.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
They have conceived evils and they are consumed with searching evil from within a man, and from within the depths of his heart.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
They search out iniquities, they have accomplished a diligent search; Even in the inward thought of every one, and the deep heart.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
They have searched out iniquity; they have wearied themselves with searching diligently, a man shall approach and the heart is deep,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Hurtful Tongue
5They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. “Who will see them?” they say. 6They devise injustice and say, “We have perfected a secret plan.” For the inner man and the heart are mysterious. 7But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be wounded.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Proverbs 12:20
Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.

Proverbs 6:14
With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord.

Micah 2:1
Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands.

Isaiah 29:15
Woe to those who dig deep to hide their plans from the LORD. In darkness they do their works and say, “Who sees us, and who will know?”

Proverbs 4:16
For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.

Genesis 6:5
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.

Psalm 10:7
His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.

Psalm 36:4
Even on his bed he plots wickedness; he sets himself on a path that is not good; he fails to reject evil.

Psalm 140:2
who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.

Romans 3:13
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”

Matthew 12:34
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

Mark 7:21-23
For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”

Luke 11:39
Then the Lord said, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.

1 Corinthians 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”


Treasury of Scripture

They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

search

Psalm 35:11
False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.

1 Samuel 22:9
Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.

1 Samuel 24:9
And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

a diligent search [heb.

Psalm 5:9
For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

Proverbs 20:5
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Isaiah 29:15
Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?

Jump to Previous
Accomplish Accomplished Care Cunning Deep Design Devise Diligent Diligently Discovery Framed Heart Iniquities Injustice Inner Inward Mind One's Part Perfect Perfected Perverse Plan Plot Purpose Ready Search Searching Secret Sought Surely Thought
Jump to Next
Accomplish Accomplished Care Cunning Deep Design Devise Diligent Diligently Discovery Framed Heart Iniquities Injustice Inner Inward Mind One's Part Perfect Perfected Perverse Plan Plot Purpose Ready Search Searching Secret Sought Surely Thought
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.














They plot injustice
The phrase "They plot injustice" reveals the deliberate and premeditated nature of the wicked actions being described. The Hebrew root for "plot" is "ḥāšaḇ," which means to think, plan, or devise. This indicates a calculated effort to commit wrongdoing, highlighting the depth of moral corruption. In a historical context, this reflects the constant struggle between the righteous and the wicked, a theme prevalent throughout the Psalms. The word "injustice" underscores the moral and ethical violations that are being schemed, reminding us of the ever-present battle against sin and the need for divine justice.

and say
The inclusion of "and say" suggests that these plans are not only conceived in secret but are also communicated among the conspirators. This phrase implies a level of confidence and boldness in their wickedness, as they are not afraid to discuss their plans openly among themselves. It serves as a reminder of the power of words and the influence they can have in spreading evil.

“We have devised a perfect plan.”
The claim "We have devised a perfect plan" reflects the arrogance and self-deception of the wicked. The Hebrew word for "perfect" here is "tāmîm," which can mean complete or flawless. This reveals their belief in the invincibility of their schemes, yet it also foreshadows their ultimate downfall, as no plan against God's righteousness can truly be perfect. This phrase serves as a caution against pride and the false security that comes from relying on human wisdom over divine guidance.

Surely the heart and mind of man are cunning
The statement "Surely the heart and mind of man are cunning" acknowledges the inherent deceitfulness and craftiness of human nature. The Hebrew word for "cunning" is "ḥāqar," which implies a deep, searching intelligence often used for evil purposes. This phrase serves as a sobering reminder of the fallen state of humanity and the need for God's intervention to transform the heart and mind. It calls believers to seek wisdom and purity from God, recognizing that apart from Him, human intentions can easily become corrupt.

(6) They search out iniquities--i.e., they plan wicked schemes.

They accomplish a diligent search.--See margin, which indicates the difficulty in this clause. The versions and some MSS. also suggest a corruption of the tent. Read "They have completed their subtle measures" (literally, the planned plan).

Verse 6. - They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search; rather, they devise iniquities. We have accomplished (they say) a well devised device. So modern critics generally (Hengstenberg, Kay, Cheyne, Canon Cook, Revised Version). Both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep. Therefore the righteous man is in great danger from them, unless God interpose.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They devise
יַֽחְפְּֽשׂוּ־ (yaḥ·pə·śū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2664: To seek, to conceal oneself, mask

injustice [and say],
עוֹלֹ֗ת (‘ō·w·lōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5766: Injustice, unrighteousness

“We have perfected
תַּ֭מְנוּ (tam·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 8552: To be complete or finished

a secret
חֵ֣פֶשׂ (ḥê·p̄eś)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2664: To seek, to conceal oneself, mask

plan.”
מְחֻפָּ֑שׂ (mə·ḥup·pāś)
Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2665: Something covert, a trick

For the inner
וְקֶ֥רֶב (wə·qe·reḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

man
אִ֝֗ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

and the heart
וְלֵ֣ב (wə·lêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

are mysterious.
עָמֹֽק׃ (‘ā·mōq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6013: Deep


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OT Poetry: Psalm 64:6 They plot injustice saying We have made (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 64:5
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