But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
The verse is directed against wicked schemers who plot in secret and wound others with bitter words. They sharpen their tongues as swords and ready their bows to loose bitter words in secret against the blameless and upright. They feel no fear, embolden one another in their evil purpose, lay hidden snares, and search out deep wrongdoing.
God answers their secret archery by turning it back upon them, shooting His own arrow so that suddenly they themselves are wounded and their plots are brought to judgment. By that reversal their own speech brings their downfall, and those who see them flee away. Then all people are filled with fear, proclaim the work of God, and thoughtfully consider what He has done. The righteous in contrast rejoice in the Lord, put their trust in Him, and give Him glory.
This will be literally fulfilled in the shaking, when everything that can be shaken is shaken and removed so that only what cannot be shaken remains. The result is that God is left with a pure and holy people who stand the test. In view of this every believer must now search and examine his own heart.
The verse is directed against wicked schemers who plot in secret and wound others with bitter words. They sharpen their tongues as swords and ready their bows to loose bitter words in secret against the blameless and upright. They feel no fear, embolden one another in their evil purpose, lay hidden snares, and search out deep wrongdoing.
God answers their secret archery by turning it back upon them, shooting His own arrow so that suddenly they themselves are wounded and their plots are brought to judgment. By that reversal their own speech brings their downfall, and those who see them flee away. Then all people are filled with fear, proclaim the work of God, and thoughtfully consider what He has done. The righteous in contrast rejoice in the Lord, put their trust in Him, and give Him glory.
This will be literally fulfilled in the shaking, when everything that can be shaken is shaken and removed so that only what cannot be shaken remains. The result is that God is left with a pure and holy people who stand the test. In view of this every believer must now search and examine his own heart.