Psalms 64:7

7 But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be 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 themselves in an evil matter; they attempt to hide the snares; they say, Who shall see them?

6 They search out iniquities; they perfect and put into effect that which they have invented in the inward thought of each one of them and that which they have devised in their heart.

7 But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.

8 So they shall make their own council and agreements to fall upon themselves; all that see them shall flee away.

9 And all men shall fear and shall declare the work of God, for they shall understand his doing.