Psalms 64:7

7 But God shoots his arrows at them, and suddenly they are wounded.

Psalms 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.

Psalms 64:7 In-Context

5 They encourage each other in their evil plots; they talk about where they will place their traps. "No one can see them," they say.

6 They make evil plans and say, "We have planned a perfect crime." The human heart and mind are a mystery.

7 But God shoots his arrows at them, and suddenly they are wounded.

8 He will destroy them because of those words; all who see them will shake their heads.

9 They will all be afraid; they will think about what God has done and tell about his deeds.