He sent out His arrows and scattered them, multiplied the lightnings and threw them into panic.
David describes God’s judgment against enemies in the language of war. The arrows and lightning portray His swift, mighty, and unconquerable intervention. Those who had surrounded David are now themselves scattered and thrown into panic. This is the great turning point of deliverance in the psalm. The believer should not make this verse a means to justify personal hostility or revenge. David glorifies the Lord’s righteous judgment, not his own vengeance. In the light of Christ’s teaching, we are called to love our enemies, and at the same time we may pray that God would frustrate evil plans and restrain injustice. He can do this without leading us onto the path of sin. The verse also encourages those who are surrounded by injustice. The forces that today seem united and unbeatable can be scattered by a single intervention from God. Final authority and security are in His hand.