Psalms 64:7

Translation
King James Version
¶ But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
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KJV (with Strong's)
But God H430 shall shoot H3384 H8686 at them with an arrow H2671; suddenly H6597 shall they be wounded H4347.
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Complete Jewish Bible
Suddenly God shoots them down with an arrow, leaving them with wounds;
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Berean Standard Bible
But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be wounded.
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American Standard Version
But God will shoot at them; With an arrow suddenly shall they be wounded.
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World English Bible Messianic
But God will shoot at them. They will be suddenly struck down with an arrow.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
But God will shoote an arrowe at them suddenly: their strokes shalbe at once.
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Young's Literal Translation
And God doth shoot them with an arrow, Sudden have been their wounds,
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See also
Psalms 7:12Psalms 7:13Proverbs 6:15Psalms 18:14Deuteronomy 32:421 Chronicles 10:31 Chronicles 10:7
In the KJVVerse 14,858 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Psalms 64:7 marks a dramatic and pivotal shift in David's prayer, transitioning from a lament over the insidious plots and malicious words of his enemies to a bold and unwavering declaration of faith in God's decisive and sudden intervention. This verse powerfully proclaims that just as the wicked devise hidden schemes and unleash their "bitter words" like arrows, God Himself will retaliate with a swift, precise, and unexpected blow, causing them to be suddenly and severely wounded. It serves as a profound affirmation of divine sovereignty, perfect justice, and the inevitable downfall of those who persistently plot evil against the righteous.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Psalm 64 is a fervent prayer of David, structured as a lament that masterfully transitions into a declaration of trust and ultimate praise. The preceding verses Psalm 64:1-6 vividly portray the nature of David's adversaries: they "sharpen their tongue like a sword" and "bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words" Psalm 64:3. They are depicted as cunning and secretive, plotting their malicious deeds in hidden places, confident that their actions will go unseen, even asking, "Who shall see them?" Psalm 64:5. Verse 7, therefore, serves as the dramatic turning point of the psalm. The focus abruptly shifts from the enemies' actions and David's distress to God's direct, powerful, and sudden response. This divine intervention sets the stage for the ultimate vindication of the righteous and the glorification of God, culminating in the psalm's conclusion where "all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God" Psalm 64:9.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: In the ancient Near East, the imagery of bows and arrows was deeply ingrained in the cultural consciousness as instruments of swift, precise, and deadly attack, essential for both hunting and warfare. Kings and warriors, like David himself, were often celebrated for their prowess as archers. The concept of divine justice and retribution was also a foundational element of the worldview, where deities were believed to actively intervene in human affairs, punishing the wicked and defending the righteous. The prevalence of courtly intrigues, secret plots, and conspiracies made the "hidden snares" and "bitter words" particularly potent and feared threats. This historical backdrop underscores the vulnerability of the righteous to unseen malice and the desperate need for a divine champion to intervene against the pervasive and often invisible threats posed by human wickedness.
  • Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several major themes within Psalm 64 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it emphatically asserts Divine Retribution and Justice, highlighting God's ultimate sovereignty and active involvement in human affairs. While the enemies believe their plots are hidden, God sees all and will bring their wickedness to light through swift judgment, echoing the truth found in Romans 12:19 that "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Secondly, the phrase "suddenly shall they be wounded" underscores the Suddenness and Unexpectedness of God's Judgment. Just as the enemies planned their attacks in secret and suddenly, God's response will be equally swift and unanticipated by them, catching them off guard. Thirdly, the vivid imagery of God "shooting an arrow" portrays Him as a Divine Warrior who actively fights for His people, contrasting sharply with the enemies' ultimately ineffective "bitter words" and hidden traps. This portrayal of God as a mighty champion, taking decisive action against His foes, resonates with other passages where the Lord is depicted as a man of war.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • God (Hebrew, ʼĕlôhîym', H430): This plural form, often used with a singular verb (as here), refers to the supreme God, the Creator and Sovereign of the universe. Its use here emphasizes the ultimate divine authority and power behind the action. It contrasts the limited, earthly schemes of the enemies with the limitless, heavenly power of the one true God, who is capable of executing perfect justice.
  • shoot (Hebrew, yârâh', H3384): This primitive root means "to flow as water (i.e. to rain)," but transitively, it means "to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot)." In this context, it signifies a deliberate, precise, and forceful action. God is not merely observing but actively aiming and releasing His judgment, indicating an intentional and unstoppable trajectory of divine intervention.
  • arrow (Hebrew, chêts', H2671): Properly, "a piercer," referring to an arrow. Here, it functions as a powerful metaphor for God's swift, precise, and inescapable act of divine judgment. It directly counters the "arrows" of the wicked—their harmful words and deceitful schemes Psalm 64:3. God's arrow is effective and decisive where human malice is ultimately futile, ensuring that His judgment finds its mark.
  • wounded (Hebrew, makkâh', H4347): This noun, derived from a root meaning "to strike," refers to "a blow," "a wound," or even "a plague" or "slaughter." It implies a decisive, painful, and incapacitating impact. The use of this word suggests that God's judgment will be severe and debilitating for the wicked, often leading to their downfall or destruction. The suddenness of this wound highlights God's ability to turn the tables on those who plot evil.

Verse Breakdown

  • "But God shall shoot at them [with] an arrow;": This opening clause introduces a stark contrast ("But God") to the preceding verses that detail the enemies' malicious actions and secret plots. It emphatically asserts God as the supreme agent, taking direct, active, and decisive action against the wicked. The imagery of "shooting an arrow" is a powerful anthropomorphism, depicting God as a divine warrior engaging in direct combat. The "arrow" symbolizes a precise, swift, and unavoidable act of divine judgment, aimed directly at those who oppose Him and His righteous ones. This divine projectile is not merely a threat but an assured, effective instrument of justice.
  • "suddenly shall they be wounded.": This second clause specifies the nature and timing of God's judgment. The adverb "suddenly" (Hebrew, pith'ôwm') highlights the unexpected and immediate nature of the divine blow. It implies that the wicked will be caught completely off guard, experiencing a swift and unforeseen reversal of their fortunes, often at the very height of their presumed success or security. The passive voice "shall they be wounded" underscores that the wound originates from an external, divine source, not from their own doing, yet it is a direct and inevitable consequence of their actions. The wound itself is severe and incapacitating, leading to their downfall, exposure, or utter ruin.

Literary Devices

Psalms 64:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message of divine retribution. The most prominent is Contrast, immediately established by the phrase "But God," which sets God's decisive and open action against the insidious, hidden plots and "bitter words" of the enemies described earlier in the psalm. While the enemies "shoot their arrows, even bitter words" Psalm 64:3, God's "arrow" is real, physical in its impact, and supremely effective, demonstrating His superior power and justice. Metaphor is central, as God is depicted "shooting an arrow," which is a figurative representation of His swift, precise, and certain judgment. This Anthropomorphism (attributing human characteristics and actions to God) makes the divine action relatable and impactful, portraying God as an active participant in human affairs, a divine warrior fighting for His people. Furthermore, the verse creates a strong sense of Dramatic Irony: the enemies plot in secret, believing no one will see them, yet God, from His unseen vantage point, not only sees but acts "suddenly," turning their own tactics of surprise and hiddenness against them. The suddenness of the divine wound also serves as a potent literary element, emphasizing the unexpected and overwhelming nature of God's justice, ensuring that the wicked are caught unprepared.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Psalms 64:7 profoundly articulates the biblical truth of divine justice and God's active defense of the righteous. It reassures believers that God is not a passive observer of injustice but an engaged sovereign who will ultimately intervene on behalf of His people. This intervention is often unexpected and decisive, turning the tables on those who plot evil. The verse underscores that while human wickedness may operate in secret and with cunning, it cannot escape the all-seeing eye and the swift hand of God. It serves as both a comfort to the oppressed, affirming that their cries are heard, and a solemn warning to the oppressor, affirming that God's righteousness will prevail and that the wicked will inevitably reap the consequences of their deeds. It highlights God's commitment to upholding moral order in His creation.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Psalms 64:7 offers profound comfort and a powerful reminder for believers navigating a world often marked by hidden opposition, slander, and secret plots. When we feel vulnerable to unseen malice or when injustice seems to prevail, this verse assures us that God is neither unaware nor inactive. He sees what is done in secret and will act decisively on behalf of His righteous ones. It encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in God's perfect justice and timing, knowing that He will bring the wickedness of the wicked upon themselves. For those who might be tempted to engage in malice, deceit, or secret schemes, it serves as a solemn warning: God's judgment is inevitable and can come suddenly, often causing the wicked to fall into the very pit they dug for others. Our response, therefore, should be to commit our way to the Lord, to trust in His vindication, and to live righteously, leaving ultimate justice in His capable hands, confident that He will ultimately expose and defeat all evil.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does the imagery of God "shooting an arrow" challenge or affirm your understanding of God's character and His active involvement in human affairs?
  • In what ways might you be tempted to take matters into your own hands when facing injustice or slander, and how does this verse encourage you to trust God's timing and method of justice?
  • What practical steps can you take to cultivate greater trust in God's sovereignty and justice, even when circumstances seem to favor the wicked?

FAQ

What does "suddenly" imply about God's judgment in this verse?

Answer: The word "suddenly" (Hebrew, pith'ôwm') emphasizes the unexpected and immediate nature of God's intervention. It implies that the wicked will be caught completely off guard, experiencing a swift and unforeseen reversal of their fortunes. This suddenness highlights God's sovereign control over time and events, demonstrating that He can act decisively and without warning, often turning the tables on those who believe their schemes are secure or hidden. It contrasts sharply with the enemies' careful, secret plotting, showing that God's response is both unanticipated and overwhelming, leading to their instant downfall or exposure, as described in Psalm 64:8. This element of surprise is a key component of divine retribution, ensuring that the wicked cannot prepare for or evade the consequences of their actions.

How does God "shoot an arrow" or "wound" people today, given that we don't typically see literal arrows from heaven?

Answer: The imagery of God "shooting an arrow" and "wounding" is a powerful metaphor for divine judgment and the consequences of sin, rather than a literal physical act in most contexts today. In the biblical worldview, God's judgment can manifest in various ways: through the natural consequences of sinful actions, the exposure of hidden deeds, the failure of wicked schemes, the turning of tables by seemingly natural circumstances, or even through the internal torment of a guilty conscience. Just as an arrow finds its mark swiftly and precisely, God's justice ensures that wrongdoing does not go unaddressed. The "wound" can represent the collapse of reputation, the loss of power, the failure of plans, or any form of severe, debilitating consequence that befalls those who persist in wickedness, often leading to their public disgrace or ruin. Ultimately, it speaks to God's active, sovereign role in upholding justice in the world, ensuring that no evil goes unpunished, and that His righteousness will ultimately prevail, as seen in Psalm 9:16.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Psalms 64:7, with its vivid imagery of God's decisive and sudden judgment against the wicked, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the psalm speaks of immediate, earthly retribution, the New Testament reveals Christ as the one through whom all divine judgment, both present and future, is executed. The "arrow" of God's judgment is ultimately aimed at sin itself, and it was on the cross that Christ, the sinless Lamb of God, absorbed the full force of that divine wrath, becoming wounded for our transgressions and bearing the judgment we deserved Isaiah 53:5. In His first coming, Jesus demonstrated His authority over the spiritual enemies of humanity—Satan, sin, and death. He disarmed principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross Colossians 2:15. His resurrection was the ultimate "sudden wounding" of death and the grave, securing eternal victory for all who believe. Furthermore, Christ is depicted as the divine warrior who will return in glory, not with a literal arrow, but with the "sharp sword" of His mouth, to strike down the nations and execute righteous judgment upon all who oppose God and His people Revelation 19:11-16. Thus, the psalmist's cry for divine intervention is answered in Christ, who is both the recipient of God's judgment on sin and the agent of God's final, victorious judgment over all evil, ensuring ultimate justice and peace for His redeemed people John 16:33.

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Commentary on Psalms 64 verses 7–10

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

We may observe here,

I. The judgments of God which should certainly come upon these malicious persecutors of David. Though they encouraged themselves in their wickedness, here is that which, if they would believe and consider it, was enough to discourage them. And it is observable how the punishment answers the sin. 1. They shot at David secretly and suddenly, to wound him; but God shall shoot at them, for the ordains his arrows against the persecutors (Psa 7:13), against the face of them, Psa 21:12. And God's arrows will hit surer, and fly swifter, and pierce deeper, than theirs do or can. They have many arrows, but they are only bitter words, and words are but wind: the curse causeless shall not come. But God has one arrow that will be their death, his curse which is never causeless, and therefore shall come; with it they shall be suddenly wounded, that is, their wound by it will be a surprise upon them, because they were secure and not apprehensive of any danger. 2. Their tongues fell upon him, but God shall make their tongues to fall upon themselves. They do it by the desert of their sin; God does it by the justice of his wrath, Psa 64:8. When God deals with men according to the desert of their tongue-sins, and brings those mischiefs upon them which they have passionately and maliciously imprecated upon others, then he makes their own tongues to fall upon them; and it is weight enough to sink a man to the lowest hell, like a talent of lead. Many have cut their own throats, and many more have damned their own souls, with their tongues, and it will be an aggravation of their condemnation. O Israel! thou hast destroyed thyself, art snared in the words of thy mouth. If thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. Those that love cursing, it shall come unto them. Sometimes men's secret wickedness is brought to light by their own confession, and then their own tongue falls upon them.

II. The influence which these judgments should have upon others; for it is done in the open sight of all, Job 34:26.

1.Their neighbours shall shun them and shift for their own safety. They shall flee away, as the men of Israel did from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, Num 16:27. Some think this was fulfilled in the death of Saul, when not only his army was dispersed, but the inhabitants of the neighbouring country were so terrified with the fall, not only of their king but of his three sons, that they quitted their cities and fled, Sa1 31:7.

2.Spectators shall reverence the providence of God therein, Psa 64:9. (1.) They shall understand and observe God's hand in all (and, unless we do so, we are not likely to profit by the dispensations of Providence, Hos 14:9): They shall wisely consider his doing. There is need of consideration and serious thought rightly to apprehend the matter of fact, and need of wisdom to put a true interpretation upon it. God's doing is well worth our considering (Ecc 7:13), but it must be considered wisely, that we put not a corrupt gloss upon a pure text. (2.) They shall be affected with a holy awe of God upon the consideration of it. All men (all that have any thing of the reason of a man in them) shall fear and tremble because of God's judgments, Psa 119:120. They shall fear to do the like, fear being found persecutors of God's people. Smite the scorner and the simple shall beware. (3.) They shall declare the work of God. They shall speak to one another and to all about them of the justice of God in punishing persecutors. What we wisely consider ourselves we should wisely declare to others, for their edification and the glory of God. This is the finger of God.

3.Good people shall in a special manner take notice of it, and it shall affect them with a holy pleasure, Psa 64:10. (1.) It shall increase their joy: 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 innocency pleaded effectually. (2.) It shall encourage their faith. They shall commit themselves to him in the way of duty and be willing to venture for him with an entire confidence in him. (3.) Their joy and faith shall both express themselves in a holy boasting: All the upright in heart, that keep a good conscience and approve themselves to God, shall glory, not in themselves, but in the favour of God, in his righteousness and goodness, their relation to him and interest in him. Let him that glories glory in the Lord.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 7–10. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 64
"Arrows of infants have been made the strokes of them" [Psalm 64:7]. Where is that savageness? Where is that roar of the lion, of the people roaring and saying, "Crucify, Crucify"? Where are the lyings in wait of men bending the bow? Have not "the strokes of them been made the arrows of infants"? You know in what manner infants make to themselves arrows of little canes. What do they strike, or whence do they strike? What is the hand, or what the weapon? What are the arms, or what the limbs?
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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