Psalms 21:8
Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.
Original Language Analysis
תִּמְצָ֥א
shall find out
H4672
תִּמְצָ֥א
shall find out
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
יָ֭דְךָ
Thine hand
H3027
יָ֭דְךָ
Thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
2 of 7
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יְ֝מִֽינְךָ
thy right hand
H3225
יְ֝מִֽינְךָ
thy right hand
Strong's:
H3225
Word #:
5 of 7
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
Cross References
Isaiah 10:10As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;Revelation 19:15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.Psalms 18:1I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.Psalms 72:9They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.Psalms 2:9Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.1 Corinthians 15:25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.Luke 19:14But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.Luke 19:27But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.1 Samuel 25:29Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling.1 Samuel 31:3And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.
Historical Context
Kings relied on intelligence networks to identify enemies. This verse asserts that God needs no spies—His knowledge is perfect and His justice inescapable. For David, this was reassurance against conspirators and foreign threats.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's perfect knowledge of all evil bring you comfort and sobriety?
- What does this verse teach about God's commitment to justice?
Analysis & Commentary
God's sovereign power to find and judge all enemies demonstrates His omniscience and omnipotence. The parallel structure ('hand'/'right hand') emphasizes completeness—no enemy escapes God's notice or power. Reformed theology sees this as an expression of God's justice: His wrath against sin is certain and exhaustive. This also points to Christ's future judgment when every knee shall bow (Phil. 2:10-11).