God’s judgment is fierce on those who use words to harm others.
The psalmist laments the harm caused by deceitful words and false accusations, reflecting on the sure and dramatic judgment that God can bring against such evil. He describes the consequences in vivid terms: “Sharp arrows of the warrior, with the burning coals of the broom tree.” (v.4) The imagery of piercing arrows suggests inevitable justice and the sense that wrongdoing does not escape the LORD’s attention. Similar images of judgment appear elsewhere in Scripture, reminding believers that the sowing of discord or deceit will result in eventual divine reckoning (Romans 12:19). These intense symbols convey the truth that God is not indifferent to the power of damaging words.
The reference to “burning coals of the broom tree” (v.4) points to a fuel known in the ancient Near East for producing long-lasting heat. This substantiates the notion that divine correction can be both swift and enduring. God’s justice, explained over and over in Scripture (e.g. Psalm 37:28), demonstrates His commitment to righting injustices. The warrior’s arrows and fiery coals also attest that false accusations, gossip, or character assassination are never off God’s radar, underscoring His righteous response to those who harm their neighbors with words (Proverbs 6:16-19).
In a broader biblical context, these images echo Jesus’ teaching that the words we speak reflect what is in our hearts (Matthew 12:34). A heart that embraces the truth and pursues peace testifies to a life changed by Christ, whereas a deceptive tongue reveals alignment with destructive motives. This psalm hence reminds all believers of how seriously God regards the words we say and how persistent His justice will be, especially when deception goes unchecked.
Set to dark mode
Psalms 120:4 meaning
The psalmist laments the harm caused by deceitful words and false accusations, reflecting on the sure and dramatic judgment that God can bring against such evil. He describes the consequences in vivid terms: “Sharp arrows of the warrior, with the burning coals of the broom tree.” (v.4) The imagery of piercing arrows suggests inevitable justice and the sense that wrongdoing does not escape the LORD’s attention. Similar images of judgment appear elsewhere in Scripture, reminding believers that the sowing of discord or deceit will result in eventual divine reckoning (Romans 12:19). These intense symbols convey the truth that God is not indifferent to the power of damaging words.
The reference to “burning coals of the broom tree” (v.4) points to a fuel known in the ancient Near East for producing long-lasting heat. This substantiates the notion that divine correction can be both swift and enduring. God’s justice, explained over and over in Scripture (e.g. Psalm 37:28), demonstrates His commitment to righting injustices. The warrior’s arrows and fiery coals also attest that false accusations, gossip, or character assassination are never off God’s radar, underscoring His righteous response to those who harm their neighbors with words (Proverbs 6:16-19).
In a broader biblical context, these images echo Jesus’ teaching that the words we speak reflect what is in our hearts (Matthew 12:34). A heart that embraces the truth and pursues peace testifies to a life changed by Christ, whereas a deceptive tongue reveals alignment with destructive motives. This psalm hence reminds all believers of how seriously God regards the words we say and how persistent His justice will be, especially when deception goes unchecked.