The Meaning of Psalms 21:12 Explained

Psalms 21:12

KJV: Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them.

YLT: For Thou makest them a butt, When Thy strings Thou preparest against their faces.

Darby: For thou wilt make them turn their back; thou wilt make ready thy bowstring against their face.

ASV: For thou wilt make them turn their back; Thou wilt make ready with thy bowstrings against their face.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Therefore shalt thou make  them turn their back,  [when] thou shalt make ready  [thine arrows] upon thy strings  against the face  of them. 

What does Psalms 21:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 21:1-13 - Rejoicing In The Strength Of Jehovah
This is a companion to the psalm preceding. The blessings there asked for are here gladly acknowledged to have been granted; and bright anticipations are entertained for the future. How much of this psalm is true only of the ideal King-our Lord! Let us read it with special reference to Him as He rides forth on His white horse, Revelation 19:11-16.
That which the heart desires, the lips at times find difficulty in expressing. God's help always prevents us, that is, "goes before" us, anticipates our needs. The only life that can satisfy is the eternal, but that is ours already if we only knew it. Our beloved dead are more blessed forever, because they see Him "face to face;" but we also may share their joy. Trust in Christ is the secret of immovability. God has exalted Christ to be a Prince and a Savior, and we shall never be at peace until we have done the same, Acts 5:31. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 21

1  A thanksgiving for victory
7  with confidence of further success

What do the individual words in Psalms 21:12 mean?

Therefore You will make them turn their back on Your string You will make ready [Your] arrows] toward their faces
כִּ֭י תְּשִׁיתֵ֣מוֹ שֶׁ֑כֶם בְּ֝מֵֽיתָרֶ֗יךָ תְּכוֹנֵ֥ן עַל־ פְּנֵיהֶֽם

תְּשִׁיתֵ֣מוֹ  You  will  make  them  turn 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular, third person masculine plural
Root: שִׁית  
Sense: to put, set.
שֶׁ֑כֶם  their  back 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שְׁכֶם  
Sense: shoulder, back.
בְּ֝מֵֽיתָרֶ֗יךָ  on  Your  string 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: מֵיתָר  
Sense: cord, string.
תְּכוֹנֵ֥ן  You  will  make  ready  [Your]  arrows] 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: כּוּן 
Sense: to be firm, be stable, be established.
עַל־  toward 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
פְּנֵיהֶֽם  their  faces 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.