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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 7:12 If one does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has bent and strung His bow.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/7-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/19_Psa_007_012.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 7:12 - I Take Refuge in You" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If one does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has bent and strung His bow." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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he will bend and string his bow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If a person does not repent, God will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If one does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has bent and strung His bow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />If he does not turn back, He will sharpen His sword; He bends His bow and makes it ready.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />If one does not repent, He will sharpen His sword; He has bent His bow and taken aim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword; He has bent His bow and made it ready.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword; He has bent His bow and made it ready.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword; He has bent His bow and prepared it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If a man does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has strung <i>and</i> bent His [mighty] bow and made it ready.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If anyone does not repent, he will sharpen his sword; he has strung his bow and made it ready.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If anyone does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has strung His bow and made it ready. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If a man turn not, he will whet his sword; He hath bent his bow, and made it ready;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Whenever your enemies refuse to change their ways, you sharpen your sword and string your bow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If a man turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If a person does not change, God sharpens his sword. By bending his bow, he makes it ready [to shoot].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If they do not change their ways, God will sharpen his sword. He bends his bow and makes it ready; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If the ungodly one doesn't repent, God will sharpen his sword; he will string his bow and prepare it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If one does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has bent and strung His bow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If a person does not repent, God sharpens his sword and prepares to shoot his bow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />If a man doesn't relent, he will sharpen his sword; he has bent and strung his bow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If a man doesn’t repent, he will sharpen his sword; he has bent and strung his bow. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />If [one] does not turn, "" He sharpens His sword, "" He has bent His bow [and] He prepares it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> If one turn not, His sword he sharpeneth, His bow he hath trodden -- He prepareth it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If he shall not turn back, he will sharpen his sword; he bent his bow and he will be prepared.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Except you will be converted, he will brandish his sword: he hath bent his bow and made it ready. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 7:13>Unless you will be converted, he will brandish his sword. He has extended his bow and made it ready.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If one does not repent, God sharpens his sword, strings and readies the bow, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If one does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and strung his bow;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If he turn not from his anger, he will whet his sword and bend his bow and make it ready.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />If he does not turn, he sharpens his sword, he bends his bow; he is ready.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />If a man turn not, He will whet His sword, He hath bent His bow, and made it ready;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />If ye will not repent, he will furbish his sword; he has bent his bow, and made it ready.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/7-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=545" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/7.htm">I Take Refuge in You</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>God is a righteous judge and a God who feels indignation each day. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">one does not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: yā·šūḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">repent,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3913.htm" title="3913: yil·ṭō·wōš (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To hammer, sharpen, whet. A primitive root; properly, to hammer out, i.e. To sharpen.">God will sharpen</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥar·bōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">His sword;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1869.htm" title="1869: ḏā·raḵ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To tread, march. A primitive root; to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow.">He has bent</a> <a href="/hebrew/3559.htm" title="3559: way·ḵō·wn·ne·hā (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to be erect; hence to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal, or figurative.">and strung</a> <a href="/hebrew/7198.htm" title="7198: qaš·tōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- A bow. From qashah in the original sense of bending: a bow, for shooting or the iris.">His bow.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>He has prepared His deadly weapons; He ordains His arrows with fire.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-30.htm">Ezekiel 18:30</a></span><br />Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-7.htm">Isaiah 55:7</a></span><br />Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-7.htm">Jeremiah 18:7-10</a></span><br />At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed. / But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to bring. / And if at another time I announce that I will build up and establish a nation or kingdom, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-26.htm">Hebrews 10:26-27</a></span><br />If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, / but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/29-1.htm">Proverbs 29:1</a></span><br />A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-5.htm">Romans 2:5</a></span><br />But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a></span><br />The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-16.htm">Revelation 2:16</a></span><br />Therefore repent! Otherwise I will come to you shortly and wage war against them with the sword of My mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-20.htm">Isaiah 1:20</a></span><br />But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/13-3.htm">Luke 13:3</a></span><br />No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/7-14.htm">2 Chronicles 7:14</a></span><br />and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30-31</a></span><br />Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent. / For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/36-10.htm">Job 36:10-12</a></span><br />He opens their ears to correction and commands that they turn from iniquity. / If they obey and serve Him, then they end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness. / But if they do not obey, then they perish by the sword and die without knowledge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-10.htm">Matthew 3:10</a></span><br />The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-23.htm">1 Samuel 15:23</a></span><br />For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he has bent his bow, and made it ready.</p><p class="hdg">If</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/85-4.htm">Psalm 85:4</a></b></br> Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6,7</a></b></br> Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/31-18.htm">Jeremiah 31:18,19</a></b></br> I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself <i>thus</i>; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed <i>to the yoke</i>: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou <i>art</i> the LORD my God… </p><p class="hdg">he will</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/32-41.htm">Deuteronomy 32:41</a></b></br> If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/27-1.htm">Isaiah 27:1</a></b></br> In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that <i>is</i> in the sea.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/34-5.htm">Isaiah 34:5</a></b></br> For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/40-17.htm">Bend</a> <a href="/job/39-3.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/psalms/5-7.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/psalms/7-9.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/job/27-17.htm">Prepareth</a> <a href="/job/41-25.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/job/6-29.htm">Relent</a> <a href="/job/42-6.htm">Repent</a> <a href="/job/41-30.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-21.htm">Sharpen</a> <a href="/job/16-9.htm">Sharpeneth</a> <a href="/judges/16-9.htm">String</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-28.htm">Strung</a> <a href="/job/41-26.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/job/28-8.htm">Trodden</a> <a href="/psalms/7-7.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/psalms/6-10.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-41.htm">Whet</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/11-2.htm">Bend</a> <a href="/psalms/11-2.htm">Bent</a> <a href="/psalms/11-2.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/psalms/7-14.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/147-8.htm">Prepareth</a> <a href="/psalms/7-13.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/psalms/90-13.htm">Relent</a> <a href="/psalms/90-13.htm">Repent</a> <a href="/psalms/7-13.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/psalms/64-3.htm">Sharpen</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-17.htm">Sharpeneth</a> <a href="/psalms/11-2.htm">String</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-28.htm">Strung</a> <a href="/psalms/17-13.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/psalms/37-14.htm">Trodden</a> <a href="/psalms/9-3.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/psalms/9-3.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/psalms/64-3.htm">Whet</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/7-1.htm">David prays against the malice of his enemies, professing his innocence</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/7-10.htm">By faith he sees his defense, and the destruction of his enemies</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for repentance, "shuv," means to turn back or return. This concept is echoed in the New Testament with the Greek word "metanoia," meaning a change of mind or heart. The call to repentance is a consistent message from the prophets (e.g., <a href="/isaiah/55-7.htm">Isaiah 55:7</a>) and is central to the teachings of Jesus (e.g., <a href="/matthew/4-17.htm">Matthew 4:17</a>). The lack of repentance is often associated with judgment and consequences, as seen in the stories of Israel's disobedience and exile.<p><b>God will sharpen His sword</b><br>The imagery of God sharpening His sword is a metaphor for impending judgment. In ancient times, a sharpened sword was a symbol of readiness for battle or execution of justice. This phrase reflects God's role as a righteous judge who is prepared to act against sin. Similar imagery is found in <a href="/deuteronomy/32-41.htm">Deuteronomy 32:41</a>, where God speaks of sharpening His sword against His adversaries. The sword is often used in Scripture to symbolize divine judgment and the power of God's word (<a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Hebrews 4:12</a>).<p><b>He has bent and strung His bow</b><br>The bow and arrow are frequently used in the Bible as symbols of God's judgment and wrath. The bending and stringing of a bow indicate preparation for action, suggesting that God is ready to execute justice. This imagery is consistent with other biblical passages, such as <a href="/lamentations/2-4.htm">Lamentations 2:4</a> and <a href="/habakkuk/3-9.htm">Habakkuk 3:9</a>, where God's bow is depicted as a tool of judgment against the wicked. The bow also serves as a reminder of God's covenant with humanity, as seen in <a href="/genesis/9-13.htm">Genesis 9:13</a>, where the rainbow is a sign of God's promise not to destroy the earth with a flood again. In this context, the bow represents both judgment and the faithfulness of God to uphold His covenant.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/7.htm">Psalm 7</a>, traditionally believed to be King David, who often wrote psalms during times of distress and seeking God's justice.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The divine judge who is depicted as preparing for judgment against the unrepentant.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies_of_david.htm">Enemies of David</a></b><br>While not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the context of the psalm involves David's plea for deliverance from his enemies.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/imagery_of_warfare.htm">Imagery of Warfare</a></b><br>The verse uses imagery of God as a warrior preparing for battle, symbolizing divine judgment.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/repentance.htm">Repentance</a></b><br>The act of turning away from sin and seeking God's forgiveness, which is central to the message of this verse.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_necessity_of_repentance.htm">The Necessity of Repentance</a></b><br>Repentance is crucial to avoid God's judgment. This verse serves as a warning to turn away from sin and seek God's mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god_as_righteous_judge.htm">God as Righteous Judge</a></b><br>God is depicted as a righteous judge who prepares to execute justice. Believers should live in a way that honors God's standards.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/imagery_of_divine_judgment.htm">Imagery of Divine Judgment</a></b><br>The imagery of God sharpening His sword and bending His bow highlights the seriousness of unrepentance. It serves as a reminder of the reality of divine judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/urgency_of_turning_to_god.htm">Urgency of Turning to God</a></b><br>The verse underscores the urgency of repentance. Believers should not delay in seeking forgiveness and aligning their lives with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_patience_and_justice.htm">God's Patience and Justice</a></b><br>While God is patient, His justice will ultimately prevail. This balance encourages believers to appreciate God's mercy while respecting His holiness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_view_on_fighting.htm">What is the Bible's stance on fighting?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_120_4_contradict_god's_love.htm">Psalm 120:4 – Does referring to “warrior’s sharp arrows” and “burning coals” raise contradictions with a supposedly loving and merciful God? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_promise_preservation_if_text_changed.htm">Why does Psalm 12:7 promise divine preservation when scribal variations suggest the text has changed over centuries?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_all_faiths_coexist_per_isaiah_2_2-3.htm">If Isaiah 2:2-3 indicates all peoples will stream to the Lord's mountain, how do we reconcile this with other faiths continuing to flourish?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">If he turn not.</span>--The Hebrew is doubly idiomatic. Translate <span class= "ital">surely </span>(see <a href="/hebrews/3-11.htm" title="So I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)">Hebrews 3:11</a>, with Note in <span class= "ital">New Testament Commentary</span>)<span class= "ital">, He will again whet His sword. </span>It is true that the verb <span class= "ital">to turn </span>in the sense of <span class= "ital">repetition </span>usually precedes the other verb immediately, without, as here, any other words intervening.<p><span class= "bld">Bent.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">trodden, </span>showing that the foot was used by the Israelites to bend the bow, as by archers now. (Smith's <span class= "ital">Bible Dictionary, </span>"Arms.")<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If he turn not, he</span> (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> God) <span class="cmt_word">will whet his sword</span> (comp. <a href="/deuteronomy/32-41.htm">Deuteronomy 32:41</a>; <a href="/isaiah/27-1.htm">Isaiah 27:1</a>; <a href="/isaiah/34-5.htm">Isaiah 34:5</a>). "Every new transgression," says Bishop Horne, "sets a fresh edge to God's sword" He hath bent his bow, and made it ready; rather, <span class="accented">he hath bent his bow</span>, <span class="accented">and fixed it</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> held it in the position for taking aim. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/7-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one does not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">repent,</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֭שׁוּב</span> <span class="translit">(yā·šūḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God will sharpen</span><br /><span class="heb">יִלְט֑וֹשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(yil·ṭō·wōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3913.htm">Strong's 3913: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hammer out, to sharpen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">His sword;</span><br /><span class="heb">חַרְבּ֣וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥar·bōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He has bent</span><br /><span class="heb">דָ֝רַ֗ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ḏā·raḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1869.htm">Strong's 1869: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tread, to walk, to string a, bow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and strung</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיְכוֹנְנֶֽהָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(way·ḵō·wn·ne·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3559.htm">Strong's 3559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be erect</span><br /><br /><span class="word">His bow.</span><br /><span class="heb">קַשְׁתּ֥וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(qaš·tōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7198.htm">Strong's 7198: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bow, for, shooting, the iris</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/7-12.htm">Psalm 7:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/7-12.htm">Psalm 7:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/7-12.htm">Psalm 7:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/7-12.htm">Psalm 7:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/7-12.htm">Psalm 7:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/7-12.htm">Psalm 7:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/7-12.htm">Psalm 7:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/7-12.htm">Psalm 7:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/7-12.htm">Psalm 7:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/7-12.htm">Psalm 7:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/7-12.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 7:12 If a man doesn't relent he will (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/7-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 7:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 7:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/7-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 7:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 7:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>