The parallelism of verse 14 carries two functions. If them is taken to refer to the enemies, the action of destroying the enemies is brought forward. At the same time line b, flashed forth lightnings, is an intensification of sent out his arrows. The “more than that” of the second line should be represented in translation; for example, “He shot his arrows…; he even flashed them with lightning….”

In this verse the parallel form indicates that the “flashes of lightning” are Yahweh’s arrows that he shoots. In areas where the shooting of arrows is not known, it may be necessary to substitute another weapon.

The Hebrew text does not say what (or who) is referred to by them in both lines. Some take it to be the arrows themselves; others, like Good News Translation, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, take it to be a reference to “his enemies.” The two verbs scattered and routed (“to confuse, bring into commotion”) seem to apply more naturally to people than to weapons, and so it is recommended that “his enemies” be given as the object of the two verbs.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .