Psalms 89:42
Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.
Original Language Analysis
הֲ֭רִימוֹתָ
Thou hast set up
H7311
הֲ֭רִימוֹתָ
Thou hast set up
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
1 of 6
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
יְמִ֣ין
the right hand
H3225
יְמִ֣ין
the right hand
Strong's:
H3225
Word #:
2 of 6
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
הִ֝שְׂמַ֗חְתָּ
to rejoice
H8055
הִ֝שְׂמַ֗חְתָּ
to rejoice
Strong's:
H8055
Word #:
4 of 6
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
Historical Context
Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon celebrated Judah's conquest. The Babylonian Chronicle records: "The king of Babylon mustered his army and marched to Hattu [Syria-Palestine]...He besieged the city of Judah and captured the king." Babylon's gods seemed victorious over YHWH. Yet within 50 years, Babylon fell to Persia, and the Jews returned—God's right hand outlasted all adversaries.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you reconcile God's sovereignty with evil people prospering? Does God merely permit or actively use their success?
- When enemies of the gospel seem to triumph, how does Christ's resurrection guarantee their celebration is premature?
- What does Psalm 110:1 (Christ at God's right hand) teach about whose victory is ultimately exalted?
Analysis & Commentary
Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries (הֲרֵימוֹתָ יְמִין צָרָיו haremota yemin tzarav)—the "right hand" symbolizes power and victory. God didn't merely permit enemy triumph; He actively exalted (haremota, lifted up, established) their strength. Thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice (הִשְׂמַחְתָּ כָּל־אוֹיְבָיו hismachta kol-oyevav)—samach indicates jubilant celebration. God gave His covenant people's foes cause for gladness.
This disturbing theology appears throughout Scripture: God uses pagan nations to judge His people (Habakkuk 1:6; Isaiah 10:5). The right hand of Babylon was God's instrument. Yet paradox deepens: ultimately God would exalt the right hand of His Anointed (Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:33-34). Christ's enemies rejoiced at the cross (Luke 23:35), thinking they'd triumphed. Easter morning reversed every enemy celebration. The resurrection declares whose right hand truly prevails.