Psalms 18:14

14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy, with great bolts of lightning he routed them.

Psalms 18:14 in Other Translations

KJV
14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
ESV
14 And he sent out his arrows and scattered them; he flashed forth lightnings and routed them.
NLT
14 He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies; great bolts of lightning flashed, and they were confused.
MSG
14 God shoots his arrows - pandemonium! He hurls his lightnings - a rout!
CSB
14 He shot His arrows and scattered them; He hurled lightning bolts 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 Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
13 The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.
14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy, with great bolts of lightning he routed them.
15 The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Deuteronomy 32:23
  • 2. S Job 36:30; Revelation 4:5
  • 3. S Judges 4:15; Psalms 144:6
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