King James Version

What Does Psalms 64:7 Mean?

Psalms 64:7 in the King James Version says “But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. shall they: Heb. their wound shall be” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 64 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. shall they: Heb. their wound shall be”

Psalms 64:7 · KJV

Context

5

They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them? matter: or, speech of: Heb. to hide his snares

6

They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep. they: or, we are consumed by that which they have throughly searched a diligent: Heb. a search searched

7

But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. shall they: Heb. their wound shall be

8

So they shall make their own tongue 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 wisely consider of his doing.

Read Psalms 64 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. This verse marks the psalm's dramatic pivot from David's fear of enemies (v.1-6) to confident declaration of God's judgment against them. The emphatic "But God" (vayoreym Elohim, וַיֹּרֵם אֱלֹהִים) introduces divine reversal—the enemies have prepared their arrows (v.3-4), but God will shoot His arrow at them. The hunters become the hunted; the attackers become the targets.

"Shall shoot at them with an arrow" (chetz, חֵץ) uses singular "arrow"—one divine arrow suffices where enemies prepared many. This emphasizes God's efficiency and power. Where enemies plot elaborate schemes requiring multiple coordinated attacks, God's single intervention undoes all their plans. The verb form is prophetic perfect or waw-consecutive imperfect, expressing certainty about future divine action. David speaks of God's intervention as accomplished fact, so confident is he in divine justice.

"Suddenly" (pit'om, פִּתְאֹם) means unexpectedly, in an instant, without warning. The enemies plot secretly, supposing themselves hidden and safe; God's judgment comes swiftly and surprisingly. They imagine themselves in control, crafting careful schemes—then sudden divine intervention shatters their plans. This recalls Proverbs 6:15: "Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy." God's timing is rarely our timing, but when His judgment falls, it comes decisively and unexpectedly.

"They be wounded" (hiyu makhoveyhem, הָיוּ מַכּוֹתֵיהֶם) literally means "their wounds shall be" or "they shall be their wounds." The Hebrew grammar is somewhat ambiguous, but the sense is clear: those who sought to wound others will themselves be wounded. The judgment fits the crime—measure for measure, arrow for arrow. This principle of poetic justice runs throughout Scripture: Haman hanged on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai (Esther 7:10); Babylon's violence returns on her own head (Obadiah 15); those taking the sword perish by the sword (Matthew 26:52). Divine justice is precisely calibrated—the wicked are caught in the works of their own hands (Psalm 9:16).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The imagery of arrows as divine judgment appears throughout Scripture. God's arrows represent plague, famine, defeat in battle, and various forms of judgment (Deuteronomy 32:23, Job 6:4, Psalm 7:13, Psalm 38:2). When God's anger kindles, His arrows fly forth as instruments of righteous wrath against sin and injustice. This anthropomorphic imagery helped ancient Israel understand God's active role in historical events—He wasn't distant or passive but directly intervening in human affairs to establish justice.

Throughout David's life, he witnessed sudden divine judgments that confirmed this psalm's promise. Saul, who relentlessly pursued David for years, died suddenly in battle at Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31). Nabal, who insulted David and refused him provisions, was struck by God and died ten days later (1 Samuel 25:38). Absalom, leading rebellion against his father, was caught in a tree and killed despite David's command to spare him (2 Samuel 18:9-15). In each case, David didn't personally avenge himself but witnessed God's sudden intervention.

The principle of sudden divine judgment became part of Israel's wisdom tradition. Proverbs repeatedly warns that the wicked will be suddenly destroyed (Proverbs 1:26-27, 3:25, 6:15, 24:22, 29:1). The prophets announced sudden judgments on nations oppressing Israel—Assyria's 185,000 soldiers destroyed in one night (Isaiah 37:36), Babylon falling in a single day (Isaiah 47:9), Edom's sudden desolation (Jeremiah 49:8). These historical fulfillments validated the psalmist's confidence: God does shoot His arrow; the wicked are suddenly wounded.

For the New Testament church, this psalm speaks to eschatological judgment. Jesus warned that His return would come like a thief in the night, suddenly and unexpectedly (Matthew 24:43-44). Paul taught that sudden destruction will come upon those saying 'peace and safety' (1 Thessalonians 5:3). Peter describes the day of the Lord coming suddenly, when the heavens will pass away with great noise and elements melt with fervent heat (2 Peter 3:10). While believers await Christ's return with hope, the wicked face sudden inescapable judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of God shooting His own arrow at the wicked answer the concern that evil sometimes seems to prosper unopposed?
  2. What does the 'suddenness' of divine judgment teach about patience in waiting for God's justice versus taking revenge into your own hands?
  3. How does the principle of poetic justice (enemies wounded by their own schemes) reveal something about God's character and His moral order?
  4. In what ways does confident prophetic declaration of God's future judgment (speaking it as already done) strengthen faith in the present?
  5. How should believers respond when they see God's sudden judgment fall on those who persecuted them—with vindictive satisfaction or with soberness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
וַיֹּרֵ֗ם1 of 6

“shall shoot”

H3384

properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by

אֱלֹ֫הִ֥ים2 of 6

“But God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

חֵ֥ץ3 of 6

“at them with an arrow”

H2671

properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear

פִּתְא֑וֹם4 of 6

“suddenly”

H6597

instantly

הָ֝י֗וּ5 of 6
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מַכּוֹתָֽם׃6 of 6

“shall they be wounded”

H4347

a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 64:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 64:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 7:12-13Proverbs 6:151 Thessalonians 5:2-3Psalms 18:141 Chronicles 10:3-7Proverbs 29:1

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 64 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Psalms 64 with CommentaryAll Psalms ChaptersComplete Psalms QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes