Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.

PSALMS 45:5KJV
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Psalms 45:5 (KJV)

What does Psalms 45:5 mean?

Psalms 45:5 portrays a king winning a decisive battle. His arrows strike his enemies, and peoples fall under his power. The verse praises the king’s strength as a warrior and presents his victory as the defeat of those who oppose him.

The singer addresses the king directly as “thee,” continuing the battle scene from verse 4. The image of arrows reaching the enemies’ hearts makes the attack vivid and deadly.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 45:5

  • “heart” — לֵב (lev): This word can mean the heart as well as the inner part of something. Here it gives the picture of arrows striking the enemies at their vital center.
  • “people” — עַם (ʿam): This word can mean a people or a nation. Its form here refers to peoples, suggesting groups brought under the king’s rule rather than only individuals struck by arrows.

Why Psalms 45:5 matters

  • The verse connects battle with rule. “The people fall under thee” describes the result of the king’s victory: peoples come under his authority.

  • The king’s power is presented alongside the qualities he defends. Verse 4 links his advance to “truth and meekness and righteousness,” meaning honesty, humility, and doing what is right.

  • The song moves from the king’s battlefield success to his place as ruler. Verse 6 speaks of a throne and a rule marked by what is right, giving the victory in verse 5 a place in a wider portrait of kingship.

Where else these words appear

“sharp” Hebrew H8150 · used in 9 verses

  • Deuteronomy 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
  • Psalms 64:3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
  • Psalms 140:3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.

“arrows” Hebrew H2671 · used in 50 verses

  • Genesis 49:23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:
  • 2 Chronicles 26:15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
  • Proverbs 25:18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.