Psalm 120 4

Psalm 120:4 kjv

Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

Psalm 120:4 nkjv

Sharp arrows of the warrior, With coals of the broom tree!

Psalm 120:4 niv

He will punish you with a warrior's sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush.

Psalm 120:4 esv

A warrior's sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!

Psalm 120:4 nlt

You will be pierced with sharp arrows
and burned with glowing coals.

Psalm 120 verses

Psalm 120 4 Meaning

Psalm 120:4 is a vivid poetic statement describing the severe and enduring divine judgment awaiting those with deceitful and lying tongues. It portrays God's precise, painful, and consuming retribution against those who propagate falsehoods and inflict harm through slander. The imagery emphasizes both the sharpness and the long-lasting nature of this impending judgment.

Psalm 120 4 Context

Psalm 120 is the first of the fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), chanted by pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for major festivals. The psalm begins with the psalmist crying out to the Lord "in my distress." The core theme revolves around the psalmist's plea for deliverance from deceitful lips and a lying tongue. He laments living among those who are hostile and aggressive, specifically mentioning living in "Meshech" and among "the tents of Kedar," symbolic of hostile, warring nations, possibly representing the morally depraved environment where truth is absent and conflict is pervasive. Verse 4 then dramatically shifts to express confidence in God's response to such malicious words. It is a powerful affirmation of divine justice and an imprecation against those who speak falsehood, serving as a comfort to the psalmist in his distress that God will intervene decisively.

Psalm 120 4 Word analysis

• Sharp arrows (חִצֵּי שָׁנוּן - ḥiṣṣei shānūn):
  • חִצֵּי (ḥiṣṣei): Plural construct form of חֵץ (ḥēṣ), meaning "arrow." The plural implies a volley or multiple strikes, suggesting a comprehensive and overwhelming attack.
  • שָׁנוּן (shānūn): Adjective derived from שָׁנַן (shānan), "to sharpen, to pierce." It denotes not merely an arrow, but one specifically sharpened, ensuring maximum penetration and painful effectiveness. It signifies that God's judgment will be precise, painful, and inescapable.
• of the warrior (גִּבּוֹר - gibbor):
  • גִּבּוֹר (gibbor): Refers to a "mighty man," "hero," or "warrior." In a divine context, this unequivocally points to God Himself, portraying Him as a potent, invincible judge. It emphasizes His power and capability to execute justice swiftly and effectively, ensuring that the judgment is irresistible and definitive.
• with coals (גַּחֲלֵי - gaḥălê):
  • גַּחֲלֵי (gaḥălê): Plural construct form of גַּחַל (gaḥal), meaning "ember," "live coal." This imagery depicts intense heat and destructive power, suggesting a consuming judgment that obliterates.
• of broom (רְתָמִים - rəthāmîm):
  • רְתָמִים (rəthāmîm): Plural form of רֹתֶם (rotẹm), the broom plant or Spanish broom (Retama raetam). This specific desert shrub is known for its intense heat and particularly long-lasting embers, making it highly valued for charcoal and cooking. The choice of "broom" is not arbitrary; it emphasizes the severe, persistent, and slow-burning nature of the judgment, implying prolonged suffering or enduring destruction that leaves nothing behind.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "Sharp arrows of the warrior": This phrase symbolizes a swift, piercing, and decisive divine judgment. The "warrior" is God, emphasizing His might and immediate capacity to strike down deceit with precision and irresistible force. It's a vivid image of active, painful retribution.
  • "with coals of broom": This distinct phrase adds a layer of enduring, consuming destruction. While the arrows represent immediate, piercing pain, the "coals of broom" speak of prolonged, intense, and incinerating judgment. The combination suggests that the retribution will be comprehensive—swift in onset and persistent in its effect, leaving lasting destruction upon those who deal in falsehood.

Psalm 120 4 Bonus section

The strong imprecatory tone in this verse, common in the Psalms, highlights the ancient Israelite understanding of God's character as a righteous judge who is actively involved in upholding justice. It’s a prayer for divine intervention rather than personal retaliation, placing the burden of justice upon the Lord. The specific mention of broom wood underscores the rich environmental context of the biblical world and how daily observations informed their understanding of God's attributes—a practical knowledge of the desert environment giving deep theological insight into divine judgment's heat and longevity. The combination of swift "arrows" and lingering "coals" creates a composite picture of comprehensive and unavoidable judgment that mirrors the dual nature of destructive words—they can inflict sudden pain but also cause long-term, festering harm.

Psalm 120 4 Commentary

Psalm 120:4 delivers a powerful and evocative declaration of divine justice against those who wield malicious words. Far from a cry for personal revenge, it expresses the psalmist's deep conviction that God, as the supreme Warrior and Judge, will mete out precise, painful, and persistent punishment for slander and deceit. The dual imagery of "sharp arrows" speaks to the swiftness and accuracy of God's response, piercing through lies and hypocrisy. The "coals of broom," famous for their enduring and intense heat, convey a judgment that is not momentary but consuming, thoroughly destructive, and long-lasting. This verse reassures believers that even when surrounded by deceit and hostility, God observes and will ultimately vindicate His faithful ones by holding the wicked accountable with a just and unyielding hand. It underscores God's active involvement in human affairs, ensuring that falsehood and malice do not prevail without consequence.