He
sent out his arrows, and scattered them; Yes, great lightning bolts, and routed them.
Psalm 18:14
Psalm 18 [10.] He rode on a cherub, and flew.
Yes, he soared on the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his hiding place, his pavilion around him,
darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.
At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed,
hailstones and coals of fire.
Yahweh also thundered in the sky.
The Most High uttered his voice:
hailstones and coals of fire.
He sent out his arrows, and scattered them;
Yes, great lightning bolts, and routed them.
Then the channels of waters appeared.
The foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, Yahweh,
at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.
Meaning:
- Divine Warfare:
The imagery of God sending out arrows and lightning bolts depicts Him engaging in battle on behalf of His people. These symbols of warfare represent the swift and decisive action of God's judgment against His enemies, demonstrating His sovereignty and authority over all creation.
- Scattering the Enemy:
The verse emphasizes the effectiveness of God's attack, as His arrows scatter the enemy forces. This imagery conveys the idea of God's ability to disperse and defeat His adversaries, ensuring the victory of His righteous cause.
- Power of Lightning:
The mention of great lightning bolts underscores the awe-inspiring nature of God's power. Lightning is often associated with divine judgment and intervention in the Scriptures, symbolizing the overwhelming force and suddenness of God's actions against those who oppose Him.
Significance:
Assurance of Victory: Psalm 18:14 offers assurance to believers that God is a mighty warrior who fights on their behalf. Just as He routed the enemies of the psalmist, so too does He intervene in the lives of His people, overcoming obstacles and defeating the forces of darkness that seek to thwart His purposes.
Trust in God's Protection: The imagery of God's arrows and lightning bolts serves as a reminder of His protective presence and intervention in times of trouble. When faced with adversity or opposition, believers can take comfort in the knowledge that God is their defender, ready to scatter their enemies and ensure their safety.
Recognition of God's Power: Psalm 18:14 prompts us to recognize and acknowledge the incomparable power and majesty of God. His ability to wield the forces of nature as weapons underscores His sovereignty over all creation and reinforces our confidence in His ability to overcome any obstacle or adversary that stands in His way.
Cross References:
Psalm 144:6: In a similar vein, the psalmist praises God for His deliverance from enemies, describing His intervention with imagery of lightning: "Throw out lightning, and scatter them. Send out your arrows, and rout them."
Job 36:32: Elihu speaks of God's control over the elements, including lightning, as a manifestation of His power and wisdom: "He covers his hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark."
In Conclusion: Psalm 18:14 portrays God as a mighty warrior who triumphs over His enemies with His arrows and lightning bolts. This imagery serves to inspire confidence in believers, reminding them of God's power, protection, and sovereignty. As we meditate on the imagery of God's divine warfare, may we trust in His ability to scatter our enemies and secure our victory in every battle we face.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible