The Meaning of Psalms 89:42 Explained

Psalms 89:42

KJV: Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.

YLT: Thou hast exalted the right hand of his adversaries, Thou hast caused all his enemies to rejoice.

Darby: Thou hast exalted the right hand of his oppressors; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice:

ASV: Thou hast exalted the right hand of his adversaries; Thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thou hast set up  the right hand  of his adversaries;  thou hast made all his enemies  to rejoice. 

What does Psalms 89:42 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 89:38-52 - "a Consuming Fire"
Here the psalmist falls into expostulation and lament. Whether he alludes to the time when Jerusalem was taken by Shishak in the days of Rehoboam, 1 Kings 14:25-26, or when the youthful prince Jehoiachin was deposed by Nebuchadnezzar, 2 Kings 24:10-16, it is impossible to say; but it seemed as if God's faithfulness had failed. The psalmist dwells sorrowfully upon the contrast between God's ancient Covenant and the sad reality. The family that had been promised perpetual duration and dominion had lost its luster and had become like a dying lamp.
Then the psalmist betakes himself to prayer, and bases his argument upon the brevity of the age. There is but a little while during which God has the opportunity of manifesting His love and truth. Literally the words are, "Remember-what a transitoriness!" Psalms 89:47. In the last three verses another plea is presented-that dishonor will accrue to God if He does not arrest the continuance of disaster. The insults and reproaches that are hurled against the servants are really directed against their God; therefore He is entreated, in vindicating them, to vindicate Himself.
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Chapter Summary: Psalms 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 89:42 mean?

You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries You have made rejoice all his enemies
הֲ֭רִימוֹתָ יְמִ֣ין צָרָ֑יו הִ֝שְׂמַ֗חְתָּ כָּל־ אוֹיְבָֽיו

הֲ֭רִימוֹתָ  You  have  exalted 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: יָרוּם 
Sense: to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted.
יְמִ֣ין  the  right  hand 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: יָמִין  
Sense: right, right hand, right side.
צָרָ֑יו  of  his  adversaries 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: צַר 
Sense: narrow, tight.
הִ֝שְׂמַ֗חְתָּ  You  have  made  rejoice 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: שָׂמַח  
Sense: to rejoice, be glad.
אוֹיְבָֽיו  his  enemies 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אֹיֵב  
Sense: (Qal) enemy.