Psalms 18 · Verse 14

Psalms 18:14

Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
Psalms 18:14, King James Version

Psalms 18:14 in other translations

BSBHe shot His arrows and scattered the foes; He hurled lightning and routed them.
WEBHe sent out his arrows, and scattered them. He routed them with great lightning bolts.
ASVAnd he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; Yea, lightnings manifold, and discomfited them.
YLTAnd He sendeth His arrows and scattereth them, And much lightning, and crusheth them.
DARBYAnd he sent his arrows, and scattered mine enemies; and he shot forth lightnings, and discomfited them.
BBEHe sent out his arrows, driving them in all directions; by his flames of fire they were troubled.
WebsterYes, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

What does Psalms 18:14 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
14. The fiery brightness of lightning, in shape like burning arrows rapidly shot through the air, well represents the most terrible part of an awful storm. Before the terrors of such a scene the enemies are confounded and overthrown in dismay.

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 14 Be sent out his arrows - he shot out lightning - I believe the latter clause to be an illustration of the former. He sent out his arrows - that is, he shot out lightning; for lightnings are the arrows of the Lord, and there is something very like the arrowhead apparent in the zigzag lightning. Sense and sound are wonderfully combined in the Hebrew of this last clause: וברכים רב ויהמם uberakim rab vaihummem, "and thunderings he multiplied and confounded them." Who does not hear the bursting, brattling, and pounding of thunder in these words? See Delaney?

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 18:1-19

The first words, "I will love thee, O Lord, my strength," are the scope and contents of the psalm. Those that truly love God, may triumph in him as their Rock and Refuge, and may with confidence call upon him. It is good for us to observe all the circumstances of a mercy which magnify the power of God and his goodness to us in it. David was a praying man, and God was found a prayer-hearing God. If we pray as he did…

Read the full comment on Psalms 18:1-19 →

Psalms 18:14 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.

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣חvai.yish.Lachand he sent outH7971
חִ֭צָּיוChi.tzavarrows hisH2671
וַיְפִיצֵ֑םvay.fi.Tzemand he scattered themH6327
וּבְרָקִ֥יםu.ve.ra.Kimand lightning flashesH1300
רָ֝בravhe shotH7232
וַיְהֻמֵּֽם\׃vay.hu.Memand he routed themH2000

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

Cross references for Psalms 18:14

  • Psalms 144:6

    Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.

  • Habakkuk 3:11

    The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.

  • Numbers 24:8

    God 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.

  • Job 6:4

    For 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.

  • Joshua 10:10

    And 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.

  • Deuteronomy 32:23

    I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them.

  • Psalms 77:17

    The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.

  • Isaiah 30:30

    And 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.

  • Deuteronomy 32:42

    I 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.

  • Zechariah 9:14-15

    And the Lord shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. The Lord of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.

  • Job 38:35

    Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?

  • Psalms 21:12

    Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Yea.
21:12; 77:17; Nu 24:8; De 32:23,42; Jos 10:10; Job 6:4; Isa 30:30
Hab 3:11
he shot.
144:6; Job 38:35; 40:9-12; Zec 9:14,15

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

Context

  • Psalms 18:13

    The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.

  • Psalms 18:14

    Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

  • Psalms 18:15

    Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

Read all of Psalms 18

Psalms 18:14 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Y envió sus saetas, y desbaratólos; y echó relámpagos, y los destruyó.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et l’ Éternel tonna dans les cieux, et le Très-haut fit retentir sa voix, – de la grêle et des charbons de feu.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Und er schoß seine Pfeile und zerstreute sie, und er schleuderte Blitze und verwirrte sie.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
et ab alienis parce servo tuo. Si mei non fuerint dominati, tunc immaculatus ero, et emundabor a delicto maximo.