Bible Strands
Psalms 64:7
But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be wounded.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist declares God’s response to wicked conspirators who have secretly plotted injustice. The statement occurs within a lament describing how divine intervention interrupts human schemes.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיּוֹרֵם (va.yo.re/m) translates literally as "and he shot at them," paired with פִּתְאֹם (pit.'om), meaning "suddenly." These terms establish the verse's factual claim of immediate, unannounced divine action.
The thread — The theme of sudden judgment appears in Proverbs 6:15 and Psalm 18:14, which both record God's swift devastation of enemies. Psalm 7:12 similarly describes God preparing a bow and sword for judgment, but it does not mention arrows or lightning.
Why it lands — The verse requires acknowledgment that human secrecy cannot evade divine justice. It asks the reader to accept that God's judgment operates on His timing, not human expectations.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
Cross-references
- Psalms 7:12 If one does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has bent and strung His bow.
- Proverbs 6:15 Therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in an instant he will be shattered beyond recovery.
- Psalms 18:14 He shot His arrows and scattered the foes; He hurled lightning and routed them.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
- Deuteronomy 32:23 I will heap disasters upon them; I will spend My arrows against them.
- Deuteronomy 32:42 I will make My arrows drunk with blood, while My sword devours flesh—the blood of the slain and captives, the heads of the enemy leaders.”
- 1 Chronicles 10:3 When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him.
- Job 6:4 For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
- Psalms 73:19 How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
- Proverbs 29:1 A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.