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Psalms 18:14

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 18:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; Yea, lightnings manifold, and discomfited them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; Yea, lightnings manifold, and discomfited them.
Psalms 18:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11He made darkness his hiding-place, his pavilion round about him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.
12At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, Hailstones and coals of fire.
13Jehovah also thundered in the heavens, And the Most High uttered his voice, Hailstones and coals of fire.
14And he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; Yea, lightnings manifold, and discomfited them.
15Then the channels of waters appeared, And the foundations of the world were laid bare, At thy rebuke, O Jehovah, At the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.
16He sent from on high, he took me; He drew me out of many waters.
17He delivered me from my strong enemy, And from them that hated me; for they were too mighty for me.
← Psalms 18:13Psalms 18:15 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Yea, he sent out his arrows - The word arrows here probably refers to the lightnings mentioned in the other clause of the verse. Those lightnings scattered around, and accomplishing such destruction, seemed to be arrows sent forth from the hand of God. And scattered them - Herder refers this to the lightnings; DeWette, to the enemies of the psalmist. The latter seems to be the more correct interpretation, though the enemies of the psalmist are not here particularly specified. They seem, however, to have been in his eye throughout the psalm, for it was the victory achieved over them by the divine interposition that he was celebrating throughout the poem. And he shot out lightnings - As…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Arrows - Lightnings. Them - Mine enemies. Psalms 18:15”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Yea: Psa 21:12, Psa 77:17; Num 24:8; Deu 32:23, Deu 32:42; Jos 10:10; Job 6:4; Isa 30:30; Hab 3:11 he shot: Psa 144:6; Job 38:35, Job 40:9-12; Zac 9:14, Zac 9:15 Psalms 18:15”
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Related study paths

Read Psalms 18 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification