The Meaning of Psalms 89:10 Explained

Psalms 89:10

KJV: Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.

YLT: Thou hast bruised Rahab, as one wounded. With the arm of Thy strength Thou hast scattered Thine enemies.

Darby: Thou hast crushed Rahab as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with the arm of thy strength.

ASV: Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; Thou hast scattered thine enemies with the arm of thy strength.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thou hast broken  Rahab  in pieces,  as one that is slain;  thou hast scattered  thine enemies  with thy strong  arm. 

What does Psalms 89:10 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalm 89:1-18 - No God Like Our God
To understand this psalm we must turn to 2 Samuel 7:1-29, where God guaranteed that David's kingdom should be continued to his descendants. Nathan's words are quoted in Psalms 89:3-4. But in contrast with these promises, which were conditional upon the faithful obedience of David's descendants, the psalmist sorrowfully recites the disobedience of the Chosen People. There could be no doubt as to the divine faithfulness to Covenant engagements. See Psalms 89:1-2; Psalms 89:5; Psalms 89:8; Psalms 89:14. And the object of this psalm is to inquire whether that faithfulness does not include the recall and restoration of a sinful nation, as it most certainly does include the continued blessing of an obedient one.
In the first division, Psalms 89:1-18, the singer enumerates the divine attributes. God's mercy is conceived as a stately mansion, which is being reared, story by story, throughout the centuries. The enduring heavens, the mightiest natural forces, such as the tides, the glorious mountains, are emblems of qualities in God's nature. He is described as going forth in a triumphal procession, preceded by Mercy and Truth; and we are invited to accompany Him, and to walk in the light of His countenance. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 89

1  The psalmist praises God for his covenant
5  For his wonderful power
15  For the care of his church
19  For his favor to the kingdom of David
38  Then complaining of contrary events
46  He expostulates, prays, and blesses God

What do the individual words in Psalms 89:10 mean?

You have broken in pieces as one who is slain Rahab with arm Your mighty You have scattered Your enemies
אַתָּ֤ה דִכִּ֣אתָ כֶחָלָ֣ל רָ֑הַב בִּזְר֥וֹעַ עֻ֝זְּךָ֗ פִּזַּ֥רְתָּ אוֹיְבֶֽיךָ

דִכִּ֣אתָ  have  broken  in  pieces 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: דָּכָא  
Sense: to crush, be crushed, be contrite, be broken.
כֶחָלָ֣ל  as  one  who  is  slain 
Parse: Preposition-k, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: חָלָל 
Sense: slain, fatally wounded, pierced.
רָ֑הַב  Rahab 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: רַהַב  
Sense: storm, arrogance (but only as names).
בִּזְר֥וֹעַ  with  arm 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: זְרֹועַ  
Sense: arm, forearm, shoulder, strength.
עֻ֝זְּךָ֗  Your  mighty 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: עֹז  
Sense: might, strength.
פִּזַּ֥רְתָּ  You  have  scattered 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: פָּזַר  
Sense: to scatter, disperse.
אוֹיְבֶֽיךָ  Your  enemies 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: אֹיֵב  
Sense: (Qal) enemy.