What does Psalm 64:6 reveal about the nature of human wickedness? Scripture Focus Psalm 64:6: “They devise injustice and say, ‘We have perfected a secret plan.’ For a man’s inner thoughts and heart are mysterious.” Layers of Evil Exposed in One Verse • Deliberate scheming—“They devise injustice” shows sin is not merely impulsive but carefully crafted (cf. Micah 2:1). • Pride in wicked success—“We have perfected a secret plan” reveals a boastful spirit that finds satisfaction in evil (cf. Proverbs 21:24). • Hidden depths—“A man’s inner thoughts and heart are mysterious” underscores the deep, unseen seat of corruption (cf. Jeremiah 17:9). The Heart as the Command Center • Jesus pinpoints the heart as the source of sins (Mark 7:21-23). • Genesis 6:5 records that “every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time,” echoing Psalm 64:6’s diagnosis. • Proverbs 4:23 urges guarding the heart precisely because its currents direct life, for good or ill. The Illusion of Secrecy • Plots may be “secret,” yet God sees and knows (Psalm 94:11; Hebrews 4:13). • Wicked people confuse hiddenness from humans with hiddenness from God, proving their spiritual blindness. Self-Deception and Boasting • Declaring a plan “perfected” ignores the certainty of divine judgment (Psalm 64:7-9). • Pride magnifies sin: it is not enough to do wrong; the wicked glory in their craftiness (cf. Obadiah 3). Practical Takeaways • Sin operates most powerfully when it is plotted, rationalized, and concealed—vigilance must therefore begin at the thought level. • God’s omniscience strips away the fantasy of hidden evil; confession and repentance are the wise response. • The Psalm invites believers to trust God’s justice while keeping personal hearts transparent before Him (Psalm 139:23-24). |
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