Psalms 120 · Verse 4

Psalms 120:4

Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
Psalms 120:4, King James Version

Psalms 120:4 in other translations

BSBSharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!
WEBSharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
ASVSharp arrows of the mighty, With coals of juniper.
YLTSharp arrows of a mighty one, with broom-coals.
DARBYSharp arrows of a mighty one, with burning coals of broom-wood.
BBESharp arrows of the strong, and burning fire.
WebsterSharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

What does Psalms 120:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. Sharp arrows of the mighty--destructive inflictions. coals of juniper--which retain heat long. This verse may be read as a description of the wicked, but better as their punishment, in reply to the question of Psa 120:3.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 Sharp arrows - The Chaldee has, "The strong, sharp arrows are like lightning from above, with coals of juniper kindled in hell beneath." On the juniper, see the note on Job 30:4, where this passage is explained. Fiery arrows, or arrows wrapped about with inflamed combustibles, were formerly used in sieges to set the places on fire. See my notes on Eph 6:16 (note).

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 120:1-4

The psalmist was brought into great distress by a deceitful tongue. May every good man be delivered from lying lips. They forged false charges against him. In this distress, he sought God by fervent prayer. God can bridle their tongues. He obtained a gracious answer to this prayer. Surely sinners durst not act as they do, if they knew, and would be persuaded to think, what will be in the end thereof. The terrors of…

Read the full comment on Psalms 120:1-4 →

Psalms 120:4 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

חִצֵּ֣יchi.Tzeiarrows ofH2671
גִבּ֣וֹרgi.Bora warriorH1368
שְׁנוּנִ֑יםshe.nu.NimsharpenedH8150
עִ֝֗ם'ImwithH5973
גַּחֲלֵ֥יga.cha.Leiburning coals ofH1513
רְתָמִֽים\׃re.ta.Mimbroom plantsH7574

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 120:4

  • James 3:5-8

    Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

  • Proverbs 19:9

    A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

  • Proverbs 18:21

    Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

  • Psalms 45:5

    Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.

  • Proverbs 19:5

    A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

  • Proverbs 16:27

    An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

  • Proverbs 12:22

    Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.

  • Proverbs 11:18

    The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

  • Proverbs 11:9

    An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

  • Revelation 21:8

    But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

  • Psalms 140:9-11

    As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again. Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.

  • Proverbs 11:12

    He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Sharp, etc. or, It is as the sharp arrows of the mighty man,with coals of juniper.
57:4; 59:7; Pr 11:9,12,18; 16:27; 18:8,21; Jas 3:5-8
arrows.
7:13; 52:5; 140:9,11; De 32:23,24; Pr 12:22; 19:5,9; Re 21:8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 120:3

    What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

  • Psalms 120:4

    Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

  • Psalms 120:5

    Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

Read all of Psalms 120

Psalms 120:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Agudas saetas de valiente, con brasas de enebro.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Des flèches aiguës d’un homme puissant, et des charbons ardents de genêt.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Scharfe Pfeile eines Gewaltigen, samt glühenden Kohlen der Ginster.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Ecce non dormitabit neque dormiet qui custodit Israël.