Psalms 120:4 · Bible study
Psalms 120:4 Commentary: Arrows and Coals
Hebrew · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
What do the sharp arrows and coals of juniper mean? Study the divine retribution for false speech in Psalm 120:4 with commentary, Greek, and context.
Research Summary
- Meaning: God will repay the deceitful tongue with sharp arrows and long‑burning coals, divine judgment fitted to the crime.
- Key words: chets (arrow), gibbor (warrior), shanun (sharpened), gaḥal (burning coal), rothem (broom plant).
- Main debate: Whether the verse describes the nature of the deceitful tongue itself or God’s punishment of it. Most commentators see it as punishment.
- Theological theme: Divine retributive justice; the seriousness of sins of speech; God as protector of the oppressed.
- Best use: A warning against slander and a comfort to those slandered, pointing them to God’s ultimate justice.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!
WEB World English Bible 2000
Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
KJV King James Version 1769
Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Sharp arrows of the mighty, With coals of juniper.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
Sharp arrows of a mighty one, with broom-coals.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Sharp arrows of a mighty one, with burning coals of broom-wood.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Behold he shall neither slumber nor sleep, that keepeth Israel.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Agudas saetas de valiente, con brasas de enebro.
Flechas afiadas de um guerreiro, com brasas de zimbro.
Les traits aigus du guerrier,
Sie ist wie scharfe Pfeile eines Starken, wie Feuer in Wachholdern.
Scherpe pijlen eens machtigen, mitsgaders gloeiende jeneverkolen.
Frecce di guerriero, acute, con carboni di ginepro.
Który jest jako strzały ostre mocarza, i jako węgle jałowcowe.
не дремлет и не спит хранящий Израиля.
就是勇士 的利 箭 和 羅騰木（小樹名，松類）的炭火。
Sharp arrows of the strong, and burning fire.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Psalms 120:4
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Psalm 120:4 describes God's judgment on the deceitful tongue. The verse answers the question in verse 3: "What will be given to you…?" God himself will repay slander with "sharp arrows of the mighty" and "coals of juniper." Barnes notes that the effect of such a tongue "must be like sharp and piercing arrows, or like intensely burning coals." Calvin amplifies the contrast: the psalmist's enemies shoot slanderous arrows, but a mightier Warrior, God, shoots back. Gill specifies that the "sharp arrows of the mighty" are God's sore judgments, often compared to arrows (Deuteronomy 32:23), and the coals of juniper picture the fire of hell, intense and eternal. Cambridge Bible agrees: "The just retribution which is to overtake the deceitful man is described in terms suggested by his offence." Wesley's Explanatory Notes likewise states the verse means "the wrath and vengeance of the mighty God," which burns fiercely and retains its heat long. Thus the overwhelming witness of historic commentary reads this verse as divine punishment, not merely a description of the tongue's own harm.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Divine punishment: The verse answers the question 'What will be given to the deceitful tongue?' (v. 3) with 'sharp arrows of the mighty' — God is the mighty one who repays. Supported by cross-references (Deuteronomy 32:23; Psalm 7:13) and most commentaries.
- Description of the tongue itself: Some interpreters read the verse as a continuation of the description of the 'deceitful tongue' (v. 2–3), comparing it to sharp arrows and burning coals, because the tongue is elsewhere called a fire (James 3:6). This view is less common.
What is clear: The verse uses vivid military and fire imagery (arrows and coals) to depict the severe consequences of deceitful speech — whether understood as the tongue's own destructive power or God's retribution, the point is that slander brings devastation.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of the verse | The verse uses military and fire imagery to describe the consequences of a deceitful tongue. | Some commentators (Gill, Barnes, Calvin) interpret the arrows and coals as divine punishment sent by God. Others (fewer) see them as a description of the tongue's own destructive power (like sharp arrows and fire). Most followed in church tradition: it is God's retribution. |
| Identity of 'the mighty' | The mighty one is a warrior, contextually, God is the ultimate warrior who shoots arrows of judgment. | While all agree the primary referent is God, a minority read 'the mighty' as a human enemy whose arrows are merely symbolic of the slanderer's attack. The majority hold that God is the warrior acting in judgment. |
| Significance of 'coals of juniper' (broom) | Broom charcoal burns hotter and longer than ordinary wood, intensifying the image of judgment. | The main disagreement is whether the emphasis is on the intensity of the fire (sudden destruction) or its duration (eternal punishment). Gill and Wesley stress the latter; Calvin focuses on the vehemence. |
| Connection to the 'Song of Ascents' title | The psalm is part of a collection (Psalms 120, 134) with a shared title, likely used by worshippers. | Scholars debate whether 'ascents' refers to pilgrim journeys to Jerusalem, a musical/literary form (climactic rhythm), or temple steps. This does not affect the interpretation of verse 4 directly. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Psalm 120 opens the collection of "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120, 134), traditionally sung by Hebrew pilgrims as they journeyed up to Jerusalem for the festivals. The psalmist writes from a place of acute distress: he lives among hostile peoples, "Meshech" and "Kedar" (v. 5), regions far to the north and east, emblems of a violent, foreign world. In that setting, deceitful speech is not just a personal annoyance but a weapon of oppression.
The imagery in verse 4 draws on two familiar tools of ancient warfare. First, the warrior's arrow: arrowheads were sharpened to pierce armor and flesh. The Hebrew verb shanan (H8150) means "to sharpen" and is used elsewhere of a sword (Psalm 45:5) or of God's judgments (Deuteronomy 32:41). Second, "coals of juniper" translates gaḫalei retamim. The broom plant (rothem, H7574) grows in the desert; its roots produce the finest charcoal, burning hotter and longer than ordinary wood. Arabs still manufacture charcoal from it today. Calvin notes that coals of broom "sparkle, burn, and crackle more vehemently than any other wood." The combination of sharp arrows and long‑lasting coals paints a picture of sudden, piercing pain followed by unquenchable fire, perfect images for God's final judgment on false witnesses.
The poetic structure reinforces the point. Verse 3 asks a rhetorical question: what reward does the deceitful tongue deserve? Verse 4 gives the stark answer, not from the psalmist but from God. The parallelism sets "arrows" and "coals" side by side, both instruments of destruction sent by the Almighty. In the ancient Near East, slander was often compared to an arrow (Jeremiah 9:8; Proverbs 26:18, 19). Here the metaphor is turned around: the slanderer will be pierced by the very weapon he used.
Textual Notes
Reception History
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The weapon of the deceiver. The deceitful tongue is like a sharp arrow (v. 3, 4a). It wounds, divides, and destroys.
- The Judge who repays. God himself answers the slanderer with his own arrows, judgments that are fierce and final.
- The fire that never dies. Coals of broom burn hotter and longer than any other. The punishment fits the crime: as slander kindles conflict, so God's wrath kindles eternal fire.
Five-point outline
- Distress among the hostile. The psalmist lives surrounded by liars (vv. 1, 2, 5, 7). He cries to the Lord.
- The question of recompense. What reward does a false tongue deserve? (v. 3)
- God’s answer: sharp arrows. A warrior’s arrows represent sudden, penetrating judgment.
- God’s answer: burning coals. Coals of broom signify an intense, lasting fire.
- Peace vs. war. The psalmist longs for peace, but his enemies choose war. God will settle the score.
Illustration hooks
- The lying email. A single false accusation in a workplace email spreads faster than fire, damaging reputations and relationships. God sees, and his answer is not silence but justice.
- Charcoal that stays hot. Anyone who has used a grill knows that some coals burn for hours. The broom‑tree coals keep heat even longer, a picture of judgment that does not fade with time.
- The archer’s arrow. In ancient warfare, an arrow shot by a strong warrior could not be taken back. Words are like that: once spoken, they can’t be retrieved. But God has arrows of his own.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Is God really going to punish people who gossip or lie? This verse says yes, but the punishment is his business, not ours.
- What about people who slander me and seem to get away with it? The psalmist teaches us to bring the complaint to God and trust his timing.
- Does this mean God will destroy all liars? The verse speaks specifically to unrepentant, malicious false speech, not every careless word. It is a warning, not a final statement apart from the gospel.
Leading a Discussion
Psalm 120 wrestles with the pain of living among people who twist the truth. Verse 4 answers the question of what God will do about it. The images of arrows and burning coals are severe, but the psalm ends with the psalmist declaring his commitment to peace (v. 7). This tension, between wanting justice and living peacefully, is at the heart of our discipleship.
Discussion questions
- Why does the psalmist call the deceitful tongue a “sharp arrow”? What does that comparison tell us about the power of words?
- In verse 3, the psalmist asks what “shall be given” to the false tongue. Who is the one who gives the answer in verse 4? Why is that important?
- The “coals of juniper” (broom tree) were known for burning hot and long. What does that say about God’s judgment on slander? Is this meant as a warning or a promise?
- How do you react when someone lies about you? What does the psalmist model for us in handling that distress?
- Compare this verse with James 3:6, where the tongue is called “a fire.” How are they similar? How are they different?
- What does it mean to “be for peace” (v. 7) while still crying out for God to judge lies? Can we do both?
- How does the gospel of Jesus Christ change the way we read this psalm? Is there any place for forgiveness here, or only punishment?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Deuteronomy 32:23 | “I will heap evils on them. I will spend my arrows on them. |
| Deuteronomy 32:24 | They shall be wasted with hunger, and devoured with burning heat and bitter destruction. I will send the teeth of animals on them, with the venom of vipers that glide in the dust. |
| Psalms 7:13 | He has also prepared for himself the instruments of death. He makes ready his flaming arrows. |
| Psalms 45:5 | Your arrows are sharp. The nations fall under you, with arrows in the heart of the king’s enemies. |
| Psalms 52:5 | God will likewise destroy you forever. He will take you up, and pluck you out of your tent, and root you out of the land of the living. Selah. |
| Psalms 57:4 | My soul is among lions. I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. |
| Psalms 59:7 | Behold, they spew with their mouth. Swords are in their lips, “For”, they say, “who hears us?” |
| Psalms 140:9 | As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes explains that the psalmist describes the consequences of deceitful speech as uniquely intense. The sharp arrows of a warrior are deliberately made piercing, and the coals of juniper, a desert shrub, produce the most intense heat of any charcoal. Both images stress the severity of judgment.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin draws attention to the peculiar force of the image: slanderous words are not merely sharp but also burn with a long-lasting, intense flame, like coals of juniper that hold their heat. He sees in this comparison a deliberate escalation—from piercing to consuming—showing the devastating, lingering harm of false accusations.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator sees the punishment as a perfect match for the crime: the slanderer shot arrows of falsehood, so God answers with arrows of judgment. The glowing broom-wood coals, which burn hottest and longest, picture the consuming divine wrath that awaits the one who kindled strife by deceit.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note identifies the "it" in the verse as the slanderous tongue. The comparison to a warrior's sharp arrows and burning juniper coals emphasizes both the piercing wound and the relentless, persistent heat of malicious speech.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill interprets the sharp arrows and coals of juniper as God's fierce punishment against a lying tongue. He emphasizes that juniper coals were known to burn intensely and remain hot for a year, making them a fitting symbol for the unquenchable, eternal fire of hell.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB reads "sharp arrows" and "juniper coals" not as describing the wicked themselves but as the punishment that awaits them. This interpretation answers the question posed in the previous verse: the liar's own tongue becomes the instrument of his destruction.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange reads this psalm as a symbolic portrayal of the believer's experience among hostile people, not tied to a specific historical event. He views the names Mesech and Kedar as figurative designations for rude, warlike companions rather than literal distant tribes. The psalmist's plea for peace highlights the painful contrast between his own longing for peace and the unrelenting hostility around him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry distinguishes two ways lying lips distressed David: flattering promises designed to trap him, and false accusations meant to destroy his reputation. He notes that the most dangerous enemies are those who smile in friendship while plotting harm, and that David's experience here prefigured Christ.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley identifies the arrows as the wrath and vengeance of God. He notes that Scripture compares God's judgment to arrows, but here the specific image is coals of juniper, which burn with intense fierceness and hold their heat for a long time, emphasizing the enduring severity of divine punishment.