May they vanish like water that runs off; when they draw the bow, may their arrows be blunted. Let them vanish like water that runs offThis phrase uses the imagery of water, a common biblical symbol for life and cleansing, to describe the fleeting nature of the wicked's power and influence. The Hebrew root for "vanish" (אָבַד, 'avad) conveys a sense of perishing or being destroyed. Historically, water in the ancient Near East was a precious resource, and its disappearance would be both noticeable and impactful. The psalmist is invoking a powerful image of the wicked's inevitable downfall, suggesting that just as water quickly disappears when spilled, so too will the plans and actions of the unrighteous dissipate. when he draws the bow
The act of drawing a bow is a metaphor for preparing to attack or execute judgment. In ancient warfare, the bow was a symbol of strength and skill. The Hebrew word for "bow" (קֶשֶׁת, qeshet) is often associated with God's judgment and power. This phrase suggests that the wicked, despite their preparations and intentions, will not succeed in their endeavors. The imagery of the bow also reminds the reader of God's ultimate authority and the futility of opposing His will. let their arrows be blunted
Arrows, in biblical times, were weapons of precision and lethality. The Hebrew root for "blunted" (כָּמַס, kamas) implies being ineffective or useless. This phrase conveys the idea that the efforts of the wicked will be rendered harmless by divine intervention. In a broader scriptural context, this reflects the recurring theme that God protects the righteous and ensures that the schemes of the wicked do not prevail. The blunting of arrows symbolizes the thwarting of evil plans and the protection of God's people. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of this psalm, David is expressing a plea for divine justice against the wicked. 2. The WickedThe psalm addresses those who are unjust and corrupt, often seen as oppressors or enemies of righteousness. 3. GodThe ultimate judge and deliverer, to whom David appeals for justice and vindication. 4. The Bow and ArrowsSymbolic of the power and threats of the wicked, which David prays will be rendered ineffective. 5. WaterUsed metaphorically to describe the fleeting and ineffective nature of the wicked's plans when God intervenes. Teaching Points Divine JusticeTrust in God's ultimate justice, even when human systems fail. The Power of PrayerDavid's prayer is a model for seeking God's intervention against evil. The Futility of WickednessThe plans of the wicked are ultimately ineffective against God's will. Spiritual WarfareRecognize the spiritual battle and rely on God's strength to blunt the enemy's attacks. Faith in God's TimingBe patient and trust that God will act in His perfect timing to bring justice. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the metaphor of water in Psalm 58:7 enhance our view of the temporary nature of evil? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of leaving vengeance to God in our daily lives, as seen in Romans 12:19? 3. How does the imagery of blunted arrows in Psalm 58:7 relate to the concept of spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:16? 4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate trust in God's justice when faced with personal injustice or oppression? 5. How can the themes of Psalm 58 encourage us to pray for God's intervention in the world today? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 37This psalm also speaks about the fate of the wicked and the protection of the righteous, emphasizing trust in God's justice. Proverbs 25:21-22These verses encourage kindness to enemies, which can be seen as a contrast to the imprecatory nature of Psalm 58. Romans 12:19Paul echoes the theme of leaving vengeance to God, aligning with David's plea for divine justice. Ephesians 6:16The imagery of arrows is used in the context of spiritual warfare, highlighting the need for faith to extinguish the fiery darts of the enemy. Isaiah 55:11God's word is effective and will accomplish its purpose, contrasting with the ineffectiveness of the wicked's plans. People David, Psalmist, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Aimeth, Aims, Apace, Arrow, Arrows, Bendeth, Blunt, Blunted, Bow, Continually, Cut, Draw, Ever-flowing, Flow, Flows, Grass, Headless, Liquid, Melt, Melted, Pieces, Proceedeth, Run, Runneth, Runs, Shafts, Shoot, Themselves, Though, Trodden, Vanish, Waters, WitherDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 58:6 4666 lion
5189 teeth Library Of Internal Acts
Of Internal Acts Acts are distinguished into External and Internal. External acts are those which bear relation to some sensible object, and are either morally good or evil, merely according to the nature of the principle from which they proceed. I intend here to speak only of Internal acts, those energies of the soul, by which it turns internally to some objects, and averts from others. If during my application to God I should form a will to change the nature of my act, I thereby withdraw myself …
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of PrayerEpistle vi. To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari).
To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari). Gregory to Januarius, &c. The Jews who have come hither from your city have complained to us that Peter, who has been brought by the will of God from their superstition to the worship of Christian faith, having taken with him certain disorderly persons, on the day after his baptism, that is on the Lord's day of the very Paschal festival, with grave scandal and without your consent, had taken possession of their synagogue in Caralis, and placed there the …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's and Mr. Paul's Books against My Confession of Faith, and Differences in Judgment About Baptism no Bar to Communion.
WHEREIN THEIR SCRIPTURELESS NOTIONS ARE OVERTHROWN, AND MY PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES STILL MAINTAINED. 'Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?'--Psalm 58:1 SIR, I have received and considered your short reply to my differences in judgment about water baptism no bar to communion; and observe, that you touch not the argument at all: but rather labour what you can, and beyond what you ought, to throw odiums upon your brother for reproving you for your error, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Faith the Sole Saving Act.
JOHN vi. 28, 29.--"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." In asking their question, the Jews intended to inquire of Christ what particular things they must do, before all others, in order to please God. The "works of God," as they denominate them, were not any and every duty, but those more special and important acts, by which the creature might secure …
William G.T. Shedd—Sermons to the Natural Man Augustin's Part in the Controversy.
Both by nature and by grace, Augustin was formed to be the champion of truth in this controversy. Of a naturally philosophical temperament, he saw into the springs of life with a vividness of mental perception to which most men are strangers; and his own experiences in his long life of resistance to, and then of yielding to, the drawings of God's grace, gave him a clear apprehension of the great evangelic principle that God seeks men, not men God, such as no sophistry could cloud. However much his …
St. Augustine—Anti-Pelagian Writings Moral Depravity.
VIII. Let us consider the proper method of accounting for the universal and total moral depravity of the unregenerate moral agents of our race. In the discussion of this subject, I will-- 1. Endeavor to show how it is not to be accounted for. In examining this part of the subject, it is necessary to have distinctly in view that which constitutes moral depravity. All the error that has existed upon this subject, has been founded in false assumptions in regard to the nature or essence of moral depravity. …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology An Address to the Regenerate, Founded on the Preceding Discourses.
James I. 18. James I. 18. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. I INTEND the words which I have now been reading, only as an introduction to that address to the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty, with which I am now to conclude these lectures; and therefore shall not enter into any critical discussion, either of them, or of the context. I hope God has made the series of these discourses, in some measure, useful to those …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration The Necessity of Actual Grace
In treating of the necessity of actual grace we must avoid two extremes. The first is that mere nature is absolutely incapable of doing any thing good. This error was held by the early Protestants and the followers of Baius and Jansenius. The second is that nature is able to perform supernatural acts by its own power. This was taught by the Pelagians and Semipelagians. Between these two extremes Catholic theology keeps the golden mean. It defends the capacity of human nature against Protestants and …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual The Mystery
Of the Woman dwelling in the Wilderness. The woman delivered of a child, when the dragon was overcome, from thenceforth dwelt in the wilderness, by which is figured the state of the Church, liberated from Pagan tyranny, to the time of the seventh trumpet, and the second Advent of Christ, by the type, not of a latent, invisible, but, as it were, an intermediate condition, like that of the lsraelitish Church journeying in the wilderness, from its departure from Egypt, to its entrance into the land …
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Wrath of God
What does every sin deserve? God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.' Matt 25: 41. Man having sinned, is like a favourite turned out of the king's favour, and deserves the wrath and curse of God. He deserves God's curse. Gal 3: 10. As when Christ cursed the fig-tree, it withered; so, when God curses any, he withers in his soul. Matt 21: 19. God's curse blasts wherever it comes. He deserves also God's wrath, which is …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 58:7 NIVPsalm 58:7 NLTPsalm 58:7 ESVPsalm 58:7 NASBPsalm 58:7 KJV
Psalm 58:7 Commentaries
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