Their reasoning was: “For, look! the wicked ones themselves bend the bow, they do make ready their arrow upon the bowstring, to shoot in the gloom at the ones upright in heart.

(Ps. 11:2, 3) According to them, the wicked had their bow ready to shoot at righteous persons, doing so “in the gloom,” under the cover of darkness. They were not just holding the bow but already had the arrow in the bowstring, aimed at those of upright heart.