Psalm 64 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 64:7, 64:8
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Psalm 64
The hidden arrow of slander
Verse 64:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[64:1] For the director. A psalm of David.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[63:1] For the end. A psalm of David.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The heading differs.
Verse 64:2 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[64:2] Hear my voice in my complaint, God;
guard my life from fear of the enemy.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[63:2] Hear my voice as I petition, God;
take my soul out from fear of the enemy.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Preserving life becomes rescuing the soul. Reception: Rashi reports a reading of this psalm in relation to Daniel and the plot against him (RASHI-PS64, 2).
Verse 64:3 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[64:3] Hide me from the counsel of evildoers,
from the tumult of those working wrongdoing,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[63:3] You sheltered me from a conspiracy of evildoers,
from a multitude working lawlessness,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew petition becomes Greek past protection.
Verse 64:4 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[64:4] who sharpen their tongue like a sword,
and aim their arrow—a bitter word—
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[63:4] who sharpened their tongues like a sword
and stretched their bow—a bitter deed—
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew singular tongue, arrow and bitter word become Greek plural tongues, bow and bitter deed.
Verse 64:5 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[64:5] to shoot the blameless from hiding;
suddenly they shoot him, and do not fear.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[63:5] to shoot down a blameless one in hidden places;
suddenly they will shoot him down and will not fear.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The concealed, fearless attack agrees.
Verse 64:6 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[64:6] They strengthen an evil purpose for themselves;
they discuss hiding snares,
saying, “Who will see them?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[63:6] They strengthened an evil word for themselves;
they discussed concealing traps;
they said, “Who will see them?”
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The plotting and question agree.
Verse 64:7 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[64:7] They search out injustices:
“We have completed a thoroughly searched plan!”
A person's inward being and heart are deep.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[63:7] They searched out lawless deeds;
they failed while searching with a search.
A human being will approach, and a deep heart,
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew completed searching and inward depth become Greek failed searching and an approaching human being. The BHS printed tamnu is retained; Rashi's commentary instead discusses hidden thoughts with tamnu written using tet, which is not silently substituted (RASHI-PS64, 7).
Verse 64:8 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[64:8] God cast them down;
an arrow—suddenly their wounds came.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[63:8] and God will be exalted.
Their blows became an infant's arrow,
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew divine casting down and sudden wounds become Greek divine exaltation and an infant's arrow. Reception: Rashi relates the casting down to Daniel's accusers entering the lions' den; the ordinary shooting-an-arrow interpretation remains possible (RASHI-PS64, 8).
Verse 64:9 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[64:9] The stumbling they intended for him—their tongue turned it upon them;
all who see them shake their heads.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[63:9] and their tongues grew powerless against them.
All who saw them were troubled,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew follows Rashi's reversal of the intended stumbling and spectators' head-shaking; Greek has weakened tongues and troubled spectators. The Hebrew object and subject construction remains difficult (RASHI-PS64, 9). Category basis: Reversal of intended stumbling versus weakened tongues, and head-shaking versus troubled spectators, change particular descriptions of the hostile scheme's failure. A major consequence is not established.
Verse 64:10 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[64:10] All humankind feared;
they declared God's work
and understood His deed.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[63:10] and every human being feared.
They announced God's works
and understood His acts.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The response agrees, with singular Hebrew and plural Greek works.
Verse 64:11 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[64:11] The righteous will rejoice in YHWH and take refuge in Him;
all the upright in heart will glory.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[63:11] A righteous person will rejoice in the Lord and hope in Him,
and all the upright in heart will be praised.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Refuge becomes hope, and glorying becomes being praised.