Psalms 120:4

“Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.] Some think these words describe lying lips, and a false tongue; which are like arrows, sharp ones, sent out from a bow drawn with a mighty hand, which come with great force, suddenly and swiftly, and do much mischief; (see <191102>”

“Sharp arrows of the mighty - This is an answer to the question in Psalms 120:3. The consequence - the effect - of such a use of the tongue must be like sharp and piercing arrows, or like intensely burning coals. The “sharp arrows of the mighty” are the arrows of the warrior - as war was conducted mainly by bows and arrows. Those arrows were, of course, sharpened to make them piercing, penetrating, more deadly. With coals of juniper - On the word here rendered “juniper,” see the notes at Job 30:4. The idea here is, that coals made from that would be intensely hot, and would cause severer pain than if made from other wood. The word refers to a species of broom or shrub growing in the deserts…”

“Arrows - The wrath and vengeance of the mighty God, which in scripture is often compared to arrows, and here to coals of juniper, which burn very fiercely and retain their heat for a long time. Psalms 120:5”

“Sharp: etc. or, It is as the sharp arrows of the mighty man, with coals of juniper. Psa 57:4, Psa 59:7; Pro 11:9, Pro 11:12, Pro 11:18, Pro 16:27, Pro 18:8, Pro 18:21; Jam 3:5-8 arrows: Psa 7:13, Psa 52:5, Psa 140:9, Psa 140:11; Deu 32:23, Deu 32:24; Pro 12:22, Pro 19:5, Pro 19:9; Rev 21:8 Psalms 120:5”