Psalms 144:6 — Word Study
WLCבְּר֣וֹק בָּ֭רָק וּתְפִיצֵ֑ם שְׁלַ֥ח חִ֝צֶּ֗יךָ וּתְהֻמֵּֽם׃
BSAFlash forthbâraq△ [cast forth, send out] Your lightningbârâq [bright and powerful force of nature, like a flashing sword] and scatter thempûwts▸ [disperse, shatter] shootshâlach [send out, launch] Your arrowschêts [sharp objects shot from a bow, for hunting or battle] and rout themhâmam▸ [confuse, disrupt, destroy]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בְּר֣וֹק | flash | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine singular |
| בָּ֭רָק | lightning | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וּתְפִיצֵ֑ם | and you will scatter them | Conjunction, verb hiphil second person masculine singular, suffix |
| שְׁלַ֥ח | send | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine singular |
| חִ֝צֶּ֗יךָ | arrows your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| וּתְהֻמֵּֽם׃ | and you will rout them | Conjunction, verb qal second person masculine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Flash forth Your lightning and scatter them; shoot Your arrows and rout them. |
| KJV | Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them. |
| ASV | Cast forth lightning, and scatter them; Send out thine arrows, and discomfit them. |
| YLT | Send forth lightning, and scatter them, Send forth Thine arrows, and trouble them, |
| WEB | Throw out lightning, and scatter them. Send out your arrows, and rout them. |
| BBE | With your storm-flames send them in flight: send out your arrows for their destruction. |
All translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse, emphasizing God's power to scatter and rout enemies.
The verse consists of one main clause followed by two imperative phrases, highlighting the urgent requests made to God.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbבָּרַק
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 144:6
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Prayer for Deliverancegenerated
Psalm 144:6 is part of a prayer where the psalmist seeks God's intervention in battle. The verses surrounding it express a deep reliance on God's power to protect and deliver from enemies. This psalm reflects the broader theme of seeking divine assistance in times of trouble, much like other psalms that call for God's might, such as Psalm 18:13-14.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 18:13–14 | The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded— hailstones and coals of fire. |
| 2 | Psalm 77:17–18 | The clouds poured down water; the skies resounded with thunder; Your arrows flashed back and forth. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 22:12–15 | He made darkness a canopy around Him, a gathering of water and thick clouds. |
| 4 | Psalm 7:12 | If one does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has bent and strung His bow. |
| 5 | Psalm 21:12 | For You will put them to flight when Your bow is trained upon them. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — בְּר֣וֹק, be.Rokgenerated
The verb בְּר֣וֹק (be.Rok) is an imperative form, calling for action. It conveys the idea of a sudden burst of energy, specifically referring to the act of lightning flashing forth. This word emphasizes God's power in a vivid and dramatic way, suggesting an immediate and impactful response.
In this context, the psalmist is asking God to manifest His strength through lightning, which symbolizes divine judgment and intervention. The urgency of the imperative form indicates a desperate plea for help against adversaries.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the core message of the verse, emphasizing God's power to scatter and rout enemies.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of two main verbs: בְּר֣וֹק (flash) and שְׁלַ֥ח (send), each followed by their respective objects. The structure emphasizes the actions the psalmist desires from God, with commands directed at divine power.
The order of the verbs places emphasis on God's immediate action, with the requests for lightning and arrows framing the urgency of the plea for help.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, בְּר֣וֹק is rendered as ἄστραψον (flash), which conveys a similar sense of calling for divine action through lightning. This choice emphasizes the dramatic nature of the psalmist's request.
The translation of חִ֝צֶּ֗יךָ as σου (your) shows a direct address to God, maintaining the personal plea for intervention.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 144:6 is a prayer asking God to show His power by flashing lightning and shooting arrows at enemies. The psalmist seeks divine help to scatter and confuse those who oppose him, reflecting a common theme of reliance on God's strength.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist is asking for a powerful display of God's might to intervene against enemies.
Arrows symbolize judgment and the swift action of God against adversaries.
Scattering enemies represents a complete defeat and disruption of their plans, showcasing God's protective power.
This verse reflects a common theme in the psalms of seeking God's intervention in times of trouble, similar to appeals found in other psalms.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen God's power work in my life during difficult times?
- How can I apply the imagery of lightning and arrows in my understanding of God's protection?
- What does it mean to me to ask God for intervention in my struggles?
- How can I trust in God's timing and methods when I seek His help?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Christian writers, such as Augustine of Hippo, reference this verse to discuss God's power in delivering His people from their enemies.
"Flash Your lightning, and You shall scatter them; send forth Your arrows, and You shall confound them" [Psalms 144:6].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 144 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 144:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleCast forth lightning, and scatter them,.... The mountains, the kings and kingdoms of the earth; the enemies of David, and of Christ, and of his people; particularly the Jews, who have been scattered
Read John Gill on Psalms 144 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryCast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 144 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThy thunderbolts, which oft accompany the lightnings and thunder.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 144 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 144:6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.Ver. 6. Cast forth lightning, and scatter them] All this was done according to David’ s desire, Psalms 18:13-14. God sometimes answereth his suitors ad cardinem desiderii; and saith unto them, Be it unto you even as ye will. This is a wonderful condescension.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 144 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(6) Cast forth lightning.—Literally, lighten lightning, the verb being quite peculiar to this place.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 144 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 6. Cast forth lightning] See Clarke on Psalms 18:13; "Psalms 18:14".
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 144 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges6. Lighten lightning, and scatter them: Send forth thine arrows, and discomfit them. A variation of Psa 18:14, corresponding again more closely to the text of 2 Samuel 22:15. Them must refer to the enemies who are in the Psalmist’s mind, though he has not expressly mentioned them.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 144 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleCast forth lightnings, and scatter them - See the notes at Psalms 18:14 : “He sent out his arrows, and scattered them.” The allusion there is to lightning. The psalmist prays that; God would do now again what he had then done.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 144 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Flash forth Your lightning and scatter them; shoot Your arrows and rout them.
Throw out lightning, and scatter them. Send out your arrows, and rout them.
Flash forth Your lightning and scatter them; shoot Your arrows and rout them.
Hurl lightning bolts and scatter them! Shoot your arrows and rout them!
Tyndale line
Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.
Cast forth lightning, and scatter them; Send out thine arrows, and discomfit them.
Cast forth lightning, and scatter them; send out thine arrows, and discomfit them.
Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot thy arrows, and destroy them.
Cast forth the lightning and scatter them: shoote out thine arrowes, and consume them.
Strictly literal
Cast forth lightnings, and scatter them; send forth thine arrows, and discomfit them:
Send forth lightning, and scatter them, Send forth Thine arrows, and trouble them,
Send forth lightning, and scatter them, || Send forth Your arrows, and trouble them,
Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: send out thy arrows, and confound them.
Send flashes of lightning and scatter my enemies; shoot your arrows and drive them back in confusion.
From the Latin
And they shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and shall declare thy greatness.
Simplified
Scatter your enemies with flashes of lightning! Let your arrows fly and send them running in confusion!
With your storm-flames send them in flight: send out your arrows for their destruction.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text matches the Septuagint closely, with all six words corresponding directly. The Dead Sea Scrolls also align with the Masoretic Text, although one word was supplied by an editor, indicating a minor restoration rather than a variant reading.
בְּר֣וֹק בָּ֭רָק וּתְפִיצֵ֑ם שְׁלַ֥ח חִ֝צֶּ֗יךָ וּתְהֻמֵּֽם׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ברק ברק ותפיצ׳ם שלח חצי׳כה [ותהמ׳ם]
5 words on the leather — 1 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 144:6
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
בָּרַק (baraq) is a primitive root meaning to flash or lighten, specifically referring to lightning. The entries consistently describe it as a verb associated with the action of lightning casting forth. It is primarily used in the context of the natural phenomenon of lightning.
בָּרַק vb. flash, of lightning
base
H1299 בָּרַק, בָּרַק
1299 baraq baw-rak'
a primitive root; to lighten (lightning):--cast forth.
בָּרַק (ba.raq) — to flash.
(Qal) to flash lightning, cast forth (lightning)
V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singularHVqv2ms
בָּרַק (baraq) refers to lightning and its associated phenomena, such as flashes of light or gleams. It can also describe a bright or glittering object, like a sword or an arrowhead. The entries consistently emphasize its connection to the natural phenomenon of lightning, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.
בָּרַק vb. flash, of lightning
base
בָּרָק n.m. lightning
lit. mostly pl. = lightnings, lightning flashes
fig. (always sing.) of flashing arrow-head
base
H1300a בָּרַק flash of lightning H1300b בָּרָק lightning
1300 baraq baw-rawk'
from 1299; lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a
flashing sword:--bright, glitter(-ing sword), lightning.
see HEBREW for 01299
בָּרַק (ba.raq) — to use lightning.
to flash (with lightning)
בָּרָק (ba.raq) — lightning.
1) lightning
1a) lightnings, lightning flashes
1b) of flashing arrow-head (fig.)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
lit'-ning (baraq, chaziz; astrape): Lightning is caused by the discharge of electricity between clouds or between clouds and the earth. In a thunder-storm there is a rapid gathering of particles of moisture into clouds and forming of large drops of rain. This gathers with it electric potential until the surface of the cloud (or the enlarged water particles) is insufficient to carry the charge, and a discharge takes place, producing a brilliant flash of light and the resulting thunder-clap. Thunder-storms are common in Syria and Palestine during the periods of heavy rain in the spring and fall and are often severe. Lightning is usually accompanied by heavy rainfall or by hail, as at the time of the plague of hail (Ex 9:24).
See HAIL.
In the Scriptures it is used:
Lightning
Frequently referred to by the sacred writers (Nah. 1:3-6). Thunder and lightning are spoken of as tokens of God’s wrath (2 Sam. 22:15; Job 28:26; 37:4; Ps. 135:7; 144:6; Zech. 9:14). They represent God’s glorious and awful majesty (Rev. 4:5), or some judgment of God on the world (20:9).
The Hebrew word פּוּץ (puwts) primarily means to scatter or disperse, applicable to both people and armies. It can also convey the idea of flowing or overflowing. The noun form מֵפִיץ (mephits) refers to a scatterer. Additionally, it has connotations of breaking or shattering, as seen in related forms.
[פּוּץ] vb. be dispersed, scattered
Qal be dispersed, disperse; be scattered, of enemies
Niph.
be scattered, of army
be spread abroad, of peoples
Hiph.
trans. scatter
intrans. scatter
base
מֵפִיץ n.m. scatterer, disperser
base
פּוּץ vb. flow, overflow
base
[פָּצַץ] vb. break (Ar. break, break asunder; Nab. break asunder; Syr. crush)
Pō‛. a hammer which shatters rock.
Pilp. he [God] dashed me in pieces (fig.).
base
H6327a פּוּץ be dispersed, scattered .be dispersed, disperse; be scattered, of enemies
. . be scattered, of army
. be spread abroad, of peoples
. . trans. scatter
. intrans. scatter
H6327b מֵפִיץ scatterer, disperser H6327c פּוּץ flow, overflow H6327d [פָּצַץ] break (Ar. break, break asunder; Nab. break asunder; Syr. crush) . a hammer which shatters rock.
. he [God] dashed me in pieces (fig.).
6327 puwts poots
a primitive root; to dash in pieces, literally or
figuratively (especially to disperse):--break (dash, shake)
in (to) pieces, cast (abroad), disperse (selves), drive,
retire, scatter (abroad), spread abroad.
פּוּץ (puts) — to scatter.
1) to scatter, be dispersed, be scattered
1a) (Qal) to be dispersed, be scattered
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be scattered
1b2) to be spread abroad
1c) (Hiphil) to scatter
1d) Hithpael) scatter
מֵפִיץ (me.phits) — scatterer.
n.m.
scatterer
פּוּץ (puts) — to flow.
(Qal) to flow, overflow
פָּצַץ (pa.tsats) — to shatter.
1) to break
1a) (Polel) to shatter
1b) (Pilpel) to dash to pieces
Conj | V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms | Suff — Conjunction · verb hiphil second person masculine singular · suffixHC/Vhu2ms/Sp3mp
The Hebrew word שָׁלַח (shalach) is a primitive root meaning 'to send' with a wide range of applications. It can refer to sending away, stretching out (especially a hand), or letting go. The entries indicate various forms, including sending off, casting out, and setting free. Notably, it can also imply divorce or being sent away in a marital context.
שָׁלַח 814 vb. send
Qal
send: human subj.
send: subj. י׳ (God)
stretch out, esp. acc. hand
rarely send away: human subj.
let loose
Niph. letters were sent
Pi.
send off, away, human subj.
send away, subj. י׳
give over
cast out
send out, forth
let go, set free
shoot forth branches
let down
shoot
Phrases
Pu. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)
Hiph. and I (י׳) will send
base
H7971 שָׁלַח send .. send: human subj.
. send: subj. י׳ (God)
. stretch out, esp. acc. hand
. rarely send away: human subj.
. let loose
. letters were sent
. . send off, away, human subj.
. . send away, subj. י׳
. give over
. cast out
. send out, forth
. let go, set free
. shoot forth branches
. let down
. shoot
. Phrases
. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)
. and I (י׳) will send
7971 shalach shaw-lakh'
a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great
variety of applications):--X any wise, appoint, bring (on the
way), cast (away, out), conduct, X earnestly, forsake, give
(up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose),
push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send
(away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread,
stretch forth (out).
שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: depart.
: depart/send
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to send
1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct
1a3) to send away
1a4) to let loose
1b) (Niphal) to be sent
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
1c2) to let go, set free
1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)
1c4) to let down
1c5) to shoot
1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled
1e) (Hiphil) to send
שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: let go.
: let_go/free
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to send
1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct
1a3) to send away
1a4) to let loose
1b) (Niphal) to be sent
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
1c2) to let go, set free
1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)
1c4) to let down
1c5) to shoot
V-Qal-Impv-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine singularHVqv2ms
חֵץ (chets) means 'arrow,' primarily found in poetic and prophetic contexts. It is derived from a root meaning 'to pierce' and can imply a wound or refer to a thunderbolt in a figurative sense. The word also encompasses related terms like 'dart' and 'shaft,' indicating its use in various forms of weaponry.
חֵץ n.m. arrow, mostly poet. and proph.
base
H2671 חֵץ arrow, mostly poet. and proph.
2671 chets khayts
from 2686; properly, a piercer, i.e. an arrow; by
implication, a wound; figuratively, (of God) thunder-bolt; (by
interchange for 6086) the shaft of a spear:--+ archer, arrow,
dart, shaft, staff, wound.
see HEBREW for 02686
see HEBREW for 06086
חֵץ (chets) — arrow.
arrow
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2ms
הָמַם (hamam) is a Hebrew verb that conveys the idea of making noise or commotion, as well as causing confusion or distress. It encompasses a range of meanings including to disturb, crush, and vex. The entries suggest it is a primitive root related to various forms of disruption or destruction.
הָמַם vb. make a noise, move noisily, confuse, discomfit
base
H2000 הָמַם make a noise, move noisily, confuse, discomfit
2000 hamam haw-mam'
a primitive root (compare 1949, 1993); properly, to put in
commotion; by implication, to disturb, drive, destroy:--break,
consume, crush, destroy, discomfit, trouble, vex.
see HEBREW for 01949
see HEBREW for 01993
הָמַם (ha.mam) — to confuse.
1) to move noisily, confuse, make a noise, discomfit, break, consume, crush, destroy, trouble, vex
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to move noisily
1a2) to confuse, discomfit, vex
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-2ms | Suff — Conjunction · verb qal second person masculine singular · suffixHC/Vqu2ms/Sp3mp