Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 18:14

"And he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; Yea, lightnings manifold, and discomfited them." — Psalms 18:14 (ASV)

Yea, he sent out his arrows - The word "arrows" here probably refers to the lightnings mentioned in the other clause of the verse. Those lightnings scattered around, and accomplishing such destruction, seemed to be arrows sent forth from the hand of God.

And scattered them - Herder refers this to the lightnings; DeWette, to the psalmist's enemies. The latter seems to be the more correct interpretation, though the psalmist's enemies are not particularly specified here. They seem, however, to have been in his view throughout the psalm, for it was the victory achieved over them by divine intervention that he was celebrating throughout the poem.

And he shot out lightnings - As arrows; or, as from a bow.

And discomfited them - Literally, to impel, to drive; then, to put in commotion or consternation. The allusion is to an army whose order is disturbed, or which is thrown into confusion, and therefore easily conquered. The idea is that David achieved a victory over all his enemies, as if God had scattered them by a storm and tempest.