The secret plots against him consisted in sharp words and lies against him:

³ Who have sharpened their tongues like a sword.  They aim venomous words as arrows  ⁴ To shoot from ambush at the blameless [one]; Suddenly they shoot at him, without fear.” (64:3-4)

Proverbs12:6 tells us that:  “The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.”

His enemies were preparing to shoot in secret and they attacked suddenly.  This attack by arrows from a hidden or secret position was as of skilled military shooters!

 “An open liar is an angel compared with this demon. Vipers and cobras are harmless and amiable creatures compared with such a reptile. The devil himself might blush at being the father of so base an offspring.” (Spurgeon)

I don’t know if you have ever been through such an experience like this, but maybe you have been mistreated by the use of hurtful words trying to put you down; people who mocked at you; who wanted you to feel worthless, ashamed, unloved.

^“18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. ¹⁹  Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is [credited] only for a moment.” (Prov. 12:18-19 AMP)

Yes, many of us have felt those hurting words like arrows penetrating our hearts! But there is hope for those who take all this matter unto the Hands of our Abba, like David did:

“But God will shoot them with an [unexpected] arrow; Suddenly they will be wounded.”(64:7)

Just as their arrows are words, God’s arrows are words, too!  But His Words are filled with His Mighty Power. David was aware of this because He knew God’s character. He had experienced His Unfailing love and Faithfulness!

“When God brings upon men the mischiefs they have desired on others, it is weight enough to sink a man to the lowest hell. Those who love cursing, it shall come upon them. Those who behold this shall understand, and observe God's hand in all; unless we do so, we are not likely to profit by the dispensations of Providence. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord; not glad of the misery and ruin of their fellow-creatures, but glad that God is glorified, and his word fulfilled, and the cause of injured innocence pleaded effectually. They rejoice not in men, nor in themselves, nor in any creature, or creature enjoyments, nor in their wisdom, strength, riches, or righteousness; but in Christ, in whom all the seed of Israel are justified and glory, and in what he is to them, and has done for them.” (M. Henry)