Psalms 89:42 Meaning and Explanation
“Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God has empowered the king's enemies and given his foes cause for celebration.
The Context of Psalms 89:42
Describing how God's action appears to favor the king's enemies over the promised successor.
What Does Psalms 89:42 Mean?
Setting up the right hand is the inverse of the promise in verse 21, where God's hand was to strengthen David. Here, it is the adversaries' hand that is exalted—God appears to be actively empowering enemies instead of the king.
Making all enemies rejoice is the ultimate inversion: those who should fear the king celebrate his defeat. Their joy is at his expense, a visible sign that God has transferred power from the anointed to his foes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 89:42
What does Psalms 89:42 mean?
God has empowered the king's enemies and given his foes cause for celebration.
What is the context of Psalms 89:42?
Describing how God's action appears to favor the king's enemies over the promised successor.