For now, the wicked bend the bow. they set their arrows on the string, so that in the darkness they may shoot at the upright in heart.
The attack of the wicked is described with the image of a hunter or a soldier. They have already strung the bow and made the arrow ready to shoot. The phrase “in the darkness” points to a secret, treacherous, and hard-to-detect attack. The enemies do not act openly and justly, but secretly take aim at the upright in heart. The arrows can portray not only physical violence, but also slander, deceit, and hidden schemes. The verse reveals the way evil operates, yet it does not leave the believer with a sense of helplessness. Faith does not pretend that the bow is not drawn. If we also consider it in the light of the previous verse, then the one who relies on God is not defenseless. The Lord sees even the arrows prepared in the darkness. The believer is called to watchfulness, prayer, and guarding an upright heart. He must not respond with the same kind of treachery, but entrust his protection to the righteous God, who sees both the hidden arrow and the hand that releases it.