Psalms 144:6
Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.
Original Language Analysis
בָּ֭רָק
lightning
H1300
בָּ֭רָק
lightning
Strong's:
H1300
Word #:
2 of 6
lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword
וּתְפִיצֵ֑ם
and scatter
H6327
וּתְפִיצֵ֑ם
and scatter
Strong's:
H6327
Word #:
3 of 6
to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
שְׁלַ֥ח
them shoot out
H7971
שְׁלַ֥ח
them shoot out
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
4 of 6
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:23I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them.Deuteronomy 32:42I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.Psalms 45:5Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.Psalms 21:12Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern warfare relied on archers and often interpreted lightning storms as divine intervention. David experienced God scattering enemies through miraculous means (2 Samuel 5:24, 'the sound of marching in the mulberry trees'). Israel's prophets envisioned God as warrior (Isaiah 42:13, Zephaniah 3:17) fighting for His bride.
Questions for Reflection
- How does praying for God to 'fight for you' differ from human striving and anxiety in facing opposition?
- In what sense are lightning and arrows appropriate metaphors for God's word and gospel in spiritual warfare?
- How should Christians pray imprecatory prayers for God's judgment on evil while loving personal enemies (Matthew 5:44)?
Analysis & Commentary
Cast forth lightning, and scatter them (בְּרוֹק בָּרָק וּתְפִיצֵם)—Baroq baraq (flash forth lightning) depicts God as cosmic warrior wielding celestial weapons. Lightning scattered enemies at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:24) and in David's deliverance (Psalm 18:14). Shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them (shelach chitsekha uthumem)—divine archery raining judgment like plague arrows (Deuteronomy 32:23, 42).
This military imagery describes spiritual realities: God actively fights for His people against overwhelming odds. The New Testament transforms these metaphors—God's arrows become the gospel penetrating hearts (Hebrews 4:12), and Christ's 'lightning' is His sudden return (Matthew 24:27). The church's weapons are 'not carnal' but 'mighty through God' to destroy strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4).