Psalms 18:14

14 He sent out his arrows, and scattered them; Yes, lightnings manifold, and routed them.

Psalms 18:14 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 18:14

Yea, he sent out his arrows
By which thunderbolts, cracks of thunder, and flashes of lightning, seem to be meant; see ( Psalms 77:17 Psalms 77:18 ) ( 144:6 ) ; comparable to arrows shot, and sent out of a bow; and may denote, either the doctrines of the Gospel, which were sharp in the hearts of Christ's enemies, and are either the means of subduing them to him, or of destroying them, being the savour of death unto death; or however, like arrows, give great pain and uneasiness where they stick, and grievously distress and torment; as does the fire which comes out of the mouth of the two witnesses, ( Revelation 11:5 Revelation 11:10 ) . The Targum is,

``he sent his word as arrows;''

or else the judgments of God are meant, as famine, pestilence, and the sword, which God sent unto, and spent upon the Jewish nation, ( Deuteronomy 32:23 ) ;

and scattered them;
among the nations of the world, where they have been dispersed ever since;

and he shot out lightnings;
or "many lightnings", so the Targum:

and discomfited them;
troubled, terrified, and distressed them.

Psalms 18:14 In-Context

12 At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, Hailstones and coals of fire.

13 The LORD also thundered in the sky, The Elyon uttered his voice, Hailstones and coals of fire.

14 He sent out his arrows, and scattered them; Yes, lightnings manifold, and routed them.

15 Then the channels of waters appeared, The foundations of the world were laid bare, At your rebuke, LORD, At the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

16 He sent from on high. He took me. He drew me out of many waters.