Psalms 120:4

Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

“Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper”

Thy arrows are not pointless, and thou aimest them with some precision; but on my side is the Almighty Warrior. Thou art able to scorch me for a season; but the vengeance of my Deliverer upon thee is a burning fire that never shall be quenched. He shall more than pay thee in thy own coin. Seeking my ruin, thou destroyest thyself. Thou fallest on thy own sword, and into thy own flame. Nay, thou drawest down upon thee the two-edged sword of the mouth of the Almighty (Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:16; Revelation 19:15; Revelation 19:21). Thou provokest to thy eternal perdition the “Consuming Fire” (Deuteronomy 4:24; Deuteronomy 9:3; Hebrews 12:29). They who use the tongue as an arrow shot forth with inflamed combustibles wrapped about it to set fire to the habitations of others, bring upon their own dwellings and themselves “sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper” (Ephesians 6:16). By “coals of juniper” or “broom” is meant the most vehemently and longest burning fuel, and by “sharp arrows of the mighty” the vengeful weapons of the conqueror. Both figures denote ways and instruments of punishment, and are here employed to picture the defeat and ruin that will come from Jehovah upon His people’s enemies (Psalms 7:13; Psalms 45:5; Psalms 140:9). “The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is His Name” (Exodus 15:3; Isaiah 42:13). “He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in His sight” (Psalms 72:14). They who stir their tongues against His children shall have Him move His tongue against themselves. Do men live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God? It is equally true that by His voice they die. He has but to speak, and they perish. Tremble at the terror of the Lord, “sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.” The language of the wasted and weary, the psalm is also that of the confiding and persevering. Why should the Lord’s people allow lying lips to divert them from the work which He has given them to do, and for which He will find them means and opportunities according to His pleasure? Let the false tongue call them presumptuous, ambitious, incapable, insane: the city and temple of God will yet be completed. They will think less of the adversaries around them, and more of the Master and Friend among them and over all. Their foes may be Strong and fierce as Mesech, and wild and false as Kedar; but the Mighty One who delivered them before is their present Saviour. In the renewal of their distress, they cry to the Lord as formerly; and He repeats His mercies, giving them peace even when there is no peace. (E. J. Robinson.)

Correspondence between transgression and retribution

The world’s sin is the world’s punishment. A correspondence is frequently observed between the transgression and the retribution. The evil we had prepared for others recoils one day upon ourselves; and the cup we had mingled for others is afterwards applied to our own lips. He who sows serpents’ teeth need not look for a joyous harvest. This law of correspondence seems to be here indicated. Similar figures are employed to express the offence and the punishment of the wicked (Jeremiah 9:3; Psalms 64:3). But let the slanderer be upon his guard. There is another bow besides that in his possession. The arrows are sharp and burning; and when they are sent from the bow by the arm of Omnipotence, nothing can resist their force, and in mortal agony His enemies bite the dust (Psalms 7:12; Psalms 7:16; Psalms 64:7). This train of thought is also pursued in the illustration of fire. James (James 3:6) compares the tongue of slander to fire. Such is the tongue, and here is the punishment: coals of juniper, remarkable for their long retention of heat. And yet what a feeble illustration of the wrath of God, which burns down to the lowest hell! “His lips are full of indignation, and His tongue as a devouring fire.” Liars are excluded from heaven by a special enactment of the Sovereign; and all of them “shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (N. McMichael, D. D.)