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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 120:4 Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/120-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/19_Psa_120_004.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 120:4 - In My Distress I Cried to the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!" /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/120-3.htm" title="Psalm 120:3">◄</a> Psalm 120:4 <a href="/psalms/120-5.htm" title="Psalm 120:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/120.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/120.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He will punish you with a warrior&#8217s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/120.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />You will be pierced with sharp arrows and burned with glowing coals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/120.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/120.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/120.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/120.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Sharp arrows of the warrior, With coals of the broom tree!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/120.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sharp arrows of the warrior, With the <i>burning</i> coals of the broom tree!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/120.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Sharp arrows of the warrior, With the burning coals of the broom tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/120.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Sharp arrows of the warrior, With the <i>burning</i> coals of the broom tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/120.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Sharp arrows of the warrior, With the <i>burning</i> coals of the broom tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/120.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Sharp arrows of the warrior, With the burning coals of the broom tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/120.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A warrior’s sharp arrows with burning charcoal!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/120.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A warrior&#8217s sharp arrows with burning charcoal! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/120.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Sharp arrows of the mighty, With coals of juniper.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/120.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Your reward should be sharp and flaming arrows! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/120.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/120.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He will give you a warrior's sharpened arrows and red-hot coals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/120.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />With a soldier's sharp arrows, with red-hot coals! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/120.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Like a sharp arrow from a warrior, along with fiery coals from juniper trees!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/120.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/120.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Here's how! With the sharp arrows of warriors, with arrowheads forged over the hot coals. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/120.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/120.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/120.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/120.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Sharp arrows of a mighty one, with coals of broom trees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/120.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Sharp arrows of a mighty one, with broom-coals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/120.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Arrows of the strong one sharpened with burning coals of broom.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/120.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals that lay waste. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/120.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 119:4>the sharp arrows of the powerful, along with the burning coals of desolation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/120.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A warrior’s arrows sharpened with coals of brush wood! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/120.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/120.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The arrows of the mighty are sharp; they are as hot coals of oak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/120.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The arrows of a mighty man are sharp, like burning coals of oak.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/120.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Sharp arrows of the mighty, With coals of broom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/120.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Sharpened weapons of the mighty, with coals of the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/120-4.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=16020" 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/120.htm">In My Distress I Cried to the LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue? <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8150.htm" title="8150: šə·nū·nîm (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-mp) -- To whet, sharpen. A primitive root; to point; intensively, to pierce; figuratively, to inculcate.">Sharp</a> <a href="/hebrew/2671.htm" title="2671: ḥiṣ·ṣê (N-mpc) -- From chatsats; properly, a piercer, i.e. An arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear.">arrows will come</a> <a href="/hebrew/1368.htm" title="1368: ḡib·bō·wr (Adj-ms) -- Strong, mighty. Or gibbor; intensive from the same as geber; powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant.">from the warrior,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/1513.htm" title="1513: ga·ḥă·lê (N-mpc) -- Coal. Or gacheleth; from an unused root meaning to glow or kindle; an ember.">burning coals</a> <a href="/hebrew/7574.htm" title="7574: rə·ṯā·mîm (N-mp) -- Broom plant, retem. Or rothem; from ratham; the Spanish broom.">of the broom tree!</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar!…<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="/james/3-6.htm">James 3:6</a></span><br />The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/26-18.htm">Proverbs 26:18-19</a></span><br />Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows, / so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-8.htm">Jeremiah 9:8</a></span><br />Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-24.htm">Isaiah 5:24</a></span><br />Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes the straw, and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will decay and their blossoms will blow away like dust; for they have rejected the instruction of the LORD of Hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-18.htm">Proverbs 25:18</a></span><br />Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-16.htm">Ephesians 6:16</a></span><br />In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/57-4.htm">Psalm 57:4</a></span><br />My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts—with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/64-3.htm">Psalm 64:3</a></span><br />who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/54-17.htm">Isaiah 54:17</a></span><br />No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36-37</a></span><br />But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13-14</a></span><br />“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” / “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Proverbs 12:18</a></span><br />Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3</a></span><br />They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-10.htm">1 Peter 3:10</a></span><br />For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-27.htm">Isaiah 30:27</a></span><br />Behold, the Name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger and dense smoke. His lips are full of fury, and His tongue is like a consuming fire.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.</p><p class="hdg">sharp, etc.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/57-4.htm">Psalm 57:4</a></b></br> My soul <i>is</i> among lions: <i>and</i> I lie <i>even among</i> them that are set on fire, <i>even</i> the sons of men, whose teeth <i>are</i> spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/59-7.htm">Psalm 59:7</a></b></br> Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords <i>are</i> in their lips: for who, <i>say they</i>, doth hear?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/11-9.htm">Proverbs 11:9,12,18</a></b></br> An hypocrite with <i>his</i> mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered… </p><p class="hdg">arrows</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/7-13.htm">Psalm 7:13</a></b></br> He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/52-5.htm">Psalm 52:5</a></b></br> God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of <i>thy</i> dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/140-9.htm">Psalm 140:9,11</a></b></br> <i>As for</i> the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/77-17.htm">Arrows</a> <a href="/job/30-4.htm">Broom</a> <a href="/psalms/119-53.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/psalms/18-13.htm">Coals</a> <a href="/psalms/118-12.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/psalms/102-3.htm">Glowing</a> <a href="/job/30-4.htm">Juniper</a> <a href="/psalms/118-16.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/psalms/119-84.htm">Punish</a> <a href="/psalms/69-7.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/psalms/112-2.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/psalms/92-12.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/psalms/89-19.htm">Warrior</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-11.htm">Warrior's</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/127-4.htm">Arrows</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-23.htm">Broom</a> <a href="/psalms/124-3.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/psalms/140-10.htm">Coals</a> <a href="/psalms/140-10.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-6.htm">Glowing</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-19.htm">Juniper</a> <a href="/psalms/127-4.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-26.htm">Punish</a> <a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/psalms/135-10.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/psalms/148-9.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/psalms/127-4.htm">Warrior</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-5.htm">Warrior's</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 120</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/120-1.htm">David prays against Doeg</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/120-3.htm">Reproves his tongue</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/120-5.htm">Complains of his necessary conversation with the wicked</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/120.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/120.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Sharp arrows will come from the warrior</b><br>This phrase evokes imagery of warfare and judgment. In biblical times, arrows were a common weapon used by warriors, symbolizing precision and the ability to strike from a distance. The "warrior" here can be seen as a metaphor for divine judgment or retribution. In the context of <a href="/psalms/120.htm">Psalm 120</a>, which is a song of ascents, the psalmist is expressing distress over deceitful tongues and lies. The sharp arrows represent the consequences or divine justice that will befall those who engage in falsehood. This imagery is consistent with other biblical passages where God is depicted as a warrior (<a href="/exodus/15-3.htm">Exodus 15:3</a>) and where His judgment is likened to arrows (<a href="/psalms/7-13.htm">Psalm 7:13</a>).<p><b>with burning coals of the broom tree!</b><br>The broom tree, known for its intense heat when burned, symbolizes thorough and consuming judgment. In the arid regions of the Near East, broom trees were used for fuel because they produced long-lasting and intense heat. This imagery suggests a punishment that is not only precise, like the arrows, but also consuming and purifying. The burning coals can be seen as a metaphor for the purifying fire of God's judgment, which is echoed in other scriptures such as <a href="/isaiah/6-6.htm">Isaiah 6:6-7</a>, where a burning coal is used to purify the prophet's lips. The combination of arrows and burning coals underscores the severity and completeness of divine retribution against deceit and wickedness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_warrior.htm">The Warrior</a></b><br>Represents those who wield words or actions as weapons, causing harm or conflict.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/broom_tree.htm">Broom Tree</a></b><br>A desert shrub known for its intense heat when burned, symbolizing the destructive power of malicious words or actions.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/psalmist.htm">Psalmist</a></b><br>The author of the psalm, traditionally believed to be David, expressing distress over deceit and hostility.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a></b><br>Words can be as destructive as weapons. We must be mindful of how we speak to and about others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_deceit.htm">The Consequences of Deceit</a></b><br>Deceitful actions and words can lead to severe consequences, akin to the burning coals of the broom tree. We should strive for honesty and integrity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_protection.htm">Seeking God's Protection</a></b><br>In times of distress caused by others' harmful words or actions, we should seek refuge in God, who can protect us from such "arrows."<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_discernment.htm">The Importance of Discernment</a></b><br>We must discern the intentions behind words and actions, recognizing when they are meant to harm, and respond with wisdom and grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_faith_in_overcoming_harm.htm">The Role of Faith in Overcoming Harm</a></b><br>Faith acts as a shield against the destructive forces of deceit and malice, enabling us to stand firm in truth and righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_120.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 120</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_the_trinity_in_the_old_testament.htm">What does 'broom tree' mean in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_a_'broom_tree'_in_the_bible.htm">What does "broom tree" mean in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_population_control.htm">What is the Bible's stance on population control?</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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/120.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Sharp.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">sharpened, whetted, </span>as if for a purpose.<p><span class= "bld">Juniper.</span>--Properly, <span class= "ital">broom. </span>Hebrew, <span class= "ital">rothem, </span>a plant identical with the Arabian <span class= "ital">retem </span>and Algerian <span class= "ital">retama. </span>(See <a href="/context/1_kings/19-4.htm" title="But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.">1Kings 19:4-5</a>.) Doctor Tristram mentions the employment of this bush for fuel. "It is ruthlessly uprooted by the Arabs, wherever it is tolerably abundant, for the manufacture of charcoal, which is considered of the finest quality, and fetches a higher price at Cairo than any other kind. Several travellers have mentioned their meeting with Bedouins employed in conveying <span class= "ital">retem </span>charcoal to the Egyptian markets" (<span class= "ital">Nat. Hist. of the Bible, </span>p. 360; see also <span class= "ital">Bible Educator, </span>iv. 194). Burckhardt and Robinson also both noticed this trade.<p>Wonderful stories are told both by Jerome and the rabbis, how travellers, having cooked their food by fires made of the juniper wood, which they suppose to be the wood here meant, and returning a year after to the same spot, still found the embers alive.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/120.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Sharp arrows of the mighty</span>. The psalmist answers his own questions. Sharp-pointed arrows of a Mighty One shall be given thee, and added to them shall be <span class="cmt_word">coals of juniper</span>. God, <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>., shall punish thee with extreme severity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/120-4.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">Sharp</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁנוּנִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(šə·nū·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8150.htm">Strong's 8150: </a> </span><span class="str2">To point, to pierce, to inculcate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">arrows</span><br /><span class="heb">חִצֵּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(ḥiṣ·ṣê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2671.htm">Strong's 2671: </a> </span><span class="str2">A piercer, an arrow, a wound, thunderbolt, the shaft of a, spear</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the warrior,</span><br /><span class="heb">גִבּ֣וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(ḡib·bō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1368.htm">Strong's 1368: </a> </span><span class="str2">Powerful, warrior, tyrant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">עִ֝֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘im)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">burning coals</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּחֲלֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(ga·ḥă·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1513.htm">Strong's 1513: </a> </span><span class="str2">An ember</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of juniper!</span><br /><span class="heb">רְתָמִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(rə·ṯā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7574.htm">Strong's 7574: </a> </span><span class="str2">Broom plant, retem</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/120-4.htm">Psalm 120:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/120-4.htm">Psalm 120:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/120-4.htm">Psalm 120:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/120-4.htm">Psalm 120:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/120-4.htm">Psalm 120:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/120-4.htm">Psalm 120:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/120-4.htm">Psalm 120:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/120-4.htm">Psalm 120:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/120-4.htm">Psalm 120:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/120-4.htm">Psalm 120:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/120-4.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 120:4 Sharp arrows of the mighty with coals (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/120-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 120:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 120:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/120-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 120:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 120:5" /></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>