Psalms 64:7

¶ But God shall shoot at them [with] an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.

But God {H430} shall shoot {H3384}{H8686)} at them with an arrow {H2671}; suddenly {H6597} shall they be wounded {H4347}.

Suddenly God shoots them down with an arrow, leaving them with wounds;

But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be wounded.

But God will shoot at them; With an arrow suddenly shall they be wounded.

Context of Psalms 64:7

Psalm 64 is a fervent prayer of David, seeking deliverance from his enemies. Throughout the preceding verses, David describes the insidious nature of his adversaries, who "sharpen their tongue like a sword" (Psalm 64:3) and "bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words" (Psalm 64:3). They plot secretly, "to lay snares privily" (Psalm 64:5), confident that no one will see their malicious deeds. Verse 7 marks a dramatic shift in tone, moving from David's lament and description of his enemies to a bold declaration of faith in God's decisive and sudden intervention against them.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Retribution and Justice: This verse powerfully asserts 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. It underscores the biblical truth that vengeance belongs to the Lord.
  • Suddenness of God's Judgment: The phrase "suddenly shall they be wounded" emphasizes the unexpected and immediate nature of divine intervention. Just as the enemies planned their attacks in secret and suddenly, God's response will be equally swift and unanticipated by them.
  • God as a Divine Warrior: The imagery of God "shooting an arrow" portrays Him as a powerful warrior who fights for His people. This contrasts sharply with the enemies' ineffective "bitter words" and hidden traps. This imagery of God as a divine warrior, taking swift action against His foes, echoes other passages where the Lord is portrayed as a mighty champion.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Arrow" (חֵץ, chets): In this context, the "arrow" is a metaphor for a swift, precise, and inescapable act of divine judgment. It directly counters the "arrows" of the wicked (their harmful words and deceitful schemes) mentioned earlier in the psalm. God's arrow is effective where human malice is ultimately futile.
  • "Wounded" (מַכָּה, makkah): This Hebrew word can denote a blow, a wound, or even a plague. It implies a decisive and painful impact, suggesting that the judgment will be severe and incapacitating for the wicked. The suddenness of this wound highlights God's ability to turn the tables on those who plot evil.

Practical Application

For believers, Psalms 64:7 offers profound comfort and encouragement. When facing hidden opposition, slander, or secret plots, this verse reminds us that God is not unaware or inactive. He sees what is done in secret and will act decisively on behalf of His righteous ones. It encourages us to put our trust in God's perfect justice and timing, knowing that He will bring the wickedness of the wicked upon themselves. For those who engage in malice or deceit, 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.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 7:12

    If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

  • Psalms 7:13

    He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.

  • Proverbs 6:15

    Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

  • Psalms 18:14

    Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

  • Deuteronomy 32:42

    I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; [and that] with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.

  • 1 Chronicles 10:3

    And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers.

  • 1 Chronicles 10:7

    And when all the men of Israel that [were] in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, then they forsook their cities, and fled: and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

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