Psalms 18:14
Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
Yea he sent out
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח
Yea he sent out
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 6
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
חִ֭צָּיו
his arrows
H2671
חִ֭צָּיו
his arrows
Strong's:
H2671
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear
וַיְפִיצֵ֑ם
and scattered
H6327
וַיְפִיצֵ֑ם
and scattered
Strong's:
H6327
Word #:
3 of 6
to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
וּבְרָקִ֥ים
lightnings
H1300
וּבְרָקִ֥ים
lightnings
Strong's:
H1300
Word #:
4 of 6
lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword
Cross References
Psalms 144:6Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.Habakkuk 3:11The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.Isaiah 30:30And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.Psalms 77:17The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.Job 6:4For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.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.Joshua 10:10And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Beth-horon, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.Numbers 24:8God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.
Historical Context
Lightning was understood as divine arrows in ancient thought. This imagery draws on holy war tradition where God fought for Israel (Joshua 10:11).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you see your struggles as part of larger spiritual warfare?
- In what ways do you rely on God to fight your battles?
Analysis & Commentary
God sent out arrows and scattered enemies; lightning flashed and routed them. The Hebrew 'chets' (arrows) and 'baraq' (lightning) are divine weapons. God fights for His people, making natural forces His arsenal. This anticipates Ephesians 6's spiritual warfare where God provides armor and weapons. Reformed theology affirms that human battles ultimately reflect cosmic spiritual conflict between God and evil powers.