Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

64:7-10 God Makes an Example of the Wicked. Those who would shoot their bitter words like arrows aimed at the innocent (vv. 3-4) will find that God shoots his arrow at them (v. 7). This is keeping the imagery of the first section; it refers to God bringing them down as they deserve, with their own tongues turned against them, which is also a phrase vague enough to cover a wide range of possibilities (because the focus is more on confidence in their failure, whatever their schemes may have been). By their lies, the evildoers are brought to ruin (of an unnamed sort). Whatever their ruin may be, its effect brings a benefit: all who see them will wag their heads (v. 8), an expression of astonishment (perhaps even of compassion), cf. Jer. 18:16 and 48:27; all mankind fears (Ps. 64:9), and they ponder what God has done, taking instruction from God's vindication (cf. 58:11). In view of this, let the righteous (i.e., the faithful covenant member) rejoice in the Lord (64:10).