Psalms 58:7

7 Let them ¹flow away like water that runs off; When he ²aims his arrows, let them be as headless shafts.

Psalms 58:7 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 58:7

Let them melt away as waters [which] run continually
Let them be disheartened, and their courage fail them, and let there be no spirit left in them, ( Joshua 7:5 ) ; or let them be unstable as water that is continually running, ever upon the flux and motion; let them never be settled, but always changing in their state and circumstances, ( Genesis 49:4 ) ; or let them "come to nought", as the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions; which is the case of water that runs over or runs away: or "let them be despised", as Jarchi, and the Arabic, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions; being useless and unprofitable, as water is when passed and gone: or let their ruin and destruction be as swift as the gliding water; let them be brought to desolation in a moment; ( Job 24:18 ) ; and let it be irrecoverable, as water running over the cup, and scattering itself, is spilled upon the ground, and cannot be gathered up, ( 2 Samuel 14:14 ) . The Targum is,

``let them melt in their sins as water;''

[when] he bendeth [his bow to shoot] his arrows, let them be as cut in
pieces;
either when the wicked man bends his bow to shoot his arrows against the righteous; when he devises, his chief against him, shoots out bitter words, and attempts to do hurt unto him; let it be as if the string of his bow and his arrows were all cut to pieces; let all his designs, words, and actions, be without effect, and let not his hand perform his enterprise: or when God bends his bow against the wicked, so Jarchi; and prepares the instruments of death for them, and ordains his arrows against the persecutors, ( Psalms 7:12 Psalms 7:13 ) ; let then his and his people's enemies be cut off, as the tops of the ears of corn; as the word used signifies, ( Job 24:24 ) . The words may be rendered, "let him (God) direct his arrows; as the tops of the ears of corn are cut off" {f}; so let them be.

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 (wllmty wmk) "concidantur, succidantur instar spicarum", Michaelis.

Psalms 58:7 In-Context

5 So that it does not hear the voice of charmers, Or a skillful caster of spells.

6 O God, shatter their teeth in their mouth; Break out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD .

7 Let them flow away like water that runs off; When he aims his arrows, let them be as headless shafts.

8 Let them be as a snail which melts away as it goes along, Like the miscarriages of a woman which never see the sun.

9 Before your pots can feel the fire of thorns He will sweep them away with a whirlwind, the green and the burning alike.

Cross References

• 1. Joshua 2:11; Joshua 7:5; Psalms 112:10; Isaiah 13:7; Ezekiel 21:7
• 2. Psalms 64:3

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "bends"
• [b]. Lit "though they were cut off"