Psalms 64:8
So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּכְשִׁיל֣וּהוּ
to fall
H3782
וַיַּכְשִׁיל֣וּהוּ
to fall
Strong's:
H3782
Word #:
1 of 7
to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
עָלֵ֣ימוֹ
H5921
עָלֵ֣ימוֹ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְשׁוֹנָ֑ם
So they shall make their own tongue
H3956
לְשׁוֹנָ֑ם
So they shall make their own tongue
Strong's:
H3956
Word #:
3 of 7
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
יִ֝תְנֹדֲד֗וּ
them shall flee away
H5074
יִ֝תְנֹדֲד֗וּ
them shall flee away
Strong's:
H5074
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, to wave to and fro (rarely to flap up and down); figuratively, to rove, flee, or (causatively) to drive away
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Proverbs 18:7A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.Proverbs 12:13The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.Psalms 140:9As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.Psalms 22:7All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,Psalms 31:11I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.Jeremiah 48:27For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy.Jeremiah 18:16To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head.Matthew 21:41They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.Nahum 3:7And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee?Luke 19:22And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
Historical Context
The pattern of the wicked's schemes rebounding appears throughout Scripture (Esther 7:10, Daniel 6:24). Public judgment serves to vindicate the righteous and warn potential evildoers.
Questions for Reflection
- How have you witnessed the principle of sin rebounding on sinners?
- What pedagogical purpose does visible judgment serve for the community of faith?
Analysis & Commentary
Divine reversal appears: 'their own tongue shall make them fall.' The principle of measure-for-measure justice operates—verbal weapons rebound on slanderers. 'All that see them shall flee away' indicates that judgment on the wicked warns observers, serving pedagogical purpose. This anticipates Ananias and Sapphira's fate bringing fear on the church (Acts 5:11).