Psalms 58:7 Meaning and Explanation
“Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist prays for the wicked to dissolve and scatter like water, powerless against their own intended arrows.
The Context of Psalms 58:7
Continuing the petition to God, with prayers for the wicked's dissolution and the defeat of their schemes.
What Does Psalms 58:7 Mean?
Melting like water evokes dissolution, loss of form, and inability to retain power. Water that runs continually flows away and is gone. The image conveys the wicked losing their cohesion, strength, and capacity to persist—a picture of futility.
The second image turns their own weapons against them. When they bend their bow to shoot arrows, the arrows become useless or turn upon them. This expresses trust that God will frustrate their schemes and cause their plans to fail or rebound.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 58:7
What does Psalms 58:7 mean?
The psalmist prays for the wicked to dissolve and scatter like water, powerless against their own intended arrows.
What is the context of Psalms 58:7?
Continuing the petition to God, with prayers for the wicked's dissolution and the defeat of their schemes.