Psalms 64:6
They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.
Original Language Analysis
חֵ֣פֶשׂ
They search out
H2664
חֵ֣פֶשׂ
They search out
Strong's:
H2664
Word #:
1 of 9
to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (i.e., let be sought), or mask
תַּ֭מְנוּ
they accomplish
H8552
תַּ֭מְנוּ
they accomplish
Strong's:
H8552
Word #:
3 of 9
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
חֵ֣פֶשׂ
They search out
H2664
חֵ֣פֶשׂ
They search out
Strong's:
H2664
Word #:
4 of 9
to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (i.e., let be sought), or mask
וְקֶ֥רֶב
both the inward
H7130
וְקֶ֥רֶב
both the inward
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
אִ֝֗ישׁ
thought of every one
H376
אִ֝֗ישׁ
thought of every one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 9
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Cross References
Isaiah 29:15Woe 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?Psalms 5:9For 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 20:5Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.Matthew 26:59Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;1 Samuel 24:9And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?1 Samuel 25:10And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.
Historical Context
The reference to deep inward thought and heart connects to wisdom literature's teaching about the heart's deceitfulness. Even the wicked cannot fully plumb their own capacity for evil, let alone escape God's deeper scrutiny.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the thoroughness of wicked plotting teach about taking spiritual warfare seriously?
- How does the 'deep' heart require divine illumination to be truly known?
Analysis & Commentary
The 'search out iniquities' reveals meticulous plotting. 'They accomplish a diligent search' (literally 'searched search,' intensive Hebrew) shows thoroughness in devising wickedness. Yet 'the inward thought of every one... and the heart, is deep' indicates that plotters underestimate both their own depravity and God's deeper knowledge, demonstrating that sin's depths exceed human comprehension (Jeremiah 17:9).