Psalm 64:7

7 ¹But God shoots his arrow at them; they are wounded suddenly.

Psalm 64:7 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 64:7

But God shall shoot at them [with] an arrow
With one or other of his four judgments; famine, pestilence, sword, and wild beasts, ( Ezekiel 14:21 ) ; which he brings upon wicked men; and may be compared to arrows, as they are, ( Ezekiel 5:16 Ezekiel 5:17 ) ( Psalms 91:5 Psalms 91:6 ) ( Deuteronomy 32:41 Deuteronomy 32:42 ) ; because they move swiftly. The judgment of wicked men lingereth not, though it may seem to do so; and because they often come suddenly and at an unawares, when men are crying Peace, peace; and because they are sharp and piercing, penetrate deep and stick fast, and wound and kill; they are not arrows of deliverance, unless to the Lord's people, who, by his judgments on the wicked, are delivered from them; but destroying ones, ( 2 Kings 13:17 ) ( Psalms 144:6 ) ; when God draws the bow and shoots, execution is done. This is said in opposition to what wicked men do, ( Psalms 64:3 Psalms 64:4 ) ; and in just retaliation; they shoot at the perfect, and God shoots at them;

suddenly shall they be wounded;
with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, with a deadly wound that shall never be healed; not with the arrow of God's word, but with the stroke of his hand; which comes suddenly, falls heavy, and makes the wound incurable.

Psalm 64:7 In-Context

5 They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see them? ”

6 They search out injustice, saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search. ”For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.

7 But God shoots his arrow at them; they are wounded suddenly.

8 They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them; all who see them will wag their heads.

9 Then all mankind fears; they tell what God has brought about and ponder what he has done.

Cross References

• 1. 64:7 Ps. 7:12, 13; [Ps. 58:7]