Psalm 68 21

Psalm 68:21 kjv

But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.

Psalm 68:21 nkjv

But God will wound the head of His enemies, The hairy scalp of the one who still goes on in his trespasses.

Psalm 68:21 niv

Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.

Psalm 68:21 esv

But God will strike the heads of his enemies, the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.

Psalm 68:21 nlt

But God will smash the heads of his enemies,
crushing the skulls of those who love their guilty ways.

Psalm 68 verses

Psalm 68 21 Meaning

Psalm 68:21 declares God's decisive and powerful judgment upon His adversaries. It asserts with certainty that the Sovereign Lord will utterly defeat and dismantle the very power, authority, and pride of those who relentlessly oppose Him and persist in their sinful ways. This verse signifies the total annihilation of the rebellion inherent in wicked living.

Psalm 68 21 Context

Psalm 68 is a grand and triumphant processional hymn, likely composed to celebrate a major victory of God over His enemies, perhaps referencing the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (2 Sam 6) or reflecting upon Israel's foundational deliverance from Egypt and conquest of Canaan. It depicts God as a mighty warrior, leading His people to victory and exercising His sovereignty. The verses preceding Psalm 68:21 (v.19-20) extol God as the "God of salvation" who delivers from death, setting the stage for the declaration of His judgment on those who oppose His redemptive work. The "hairy crowns" might specifically refer to tribal enemies known for such appearance or generally to the proud and wild nature of those rebelling against God. It operates as a polemic against any competing claim of power or divinity, asserting Yahweh's unparalleled supremacy and decisive control over all adversaries, both human and spiritual.

Psalm 68 21 Word analysis

• Surely (אךְ ’ak): An emphatic particle meaning "only," "surely," "nevertheless," or "yet." Here, it functions to affirm and highlight the certainty and decisive nature of the coming divine action. It conveys unwavering confidence in God's judgment.
• God (אֱלֹהִים ’Elohim): The generic Hebrew word for God, often used in a majestic plural to signify the supreme God, the creator and sovereign ruler of the universe. In this context, it underscores His supreme authority as the ultimate judge and executor of justice.
• will crush (יִמְחַץ yimchaṣ): From the verb מָחַץ (machats), meaning "to smite," "to shatter," "to break in pieces," or "to pierce." It denotes a violent, decisive, and total destruction. It’s used elsewhere to describe striking the head, like Jael striking Sisera's head (Judg 5:26). It emphasizes complete subjugation and obliteration of the enemy's strength and will.
• the heads (רֹאשׁ rō'š): Literal heads, but also symbolically representing leadership, authority, the source of intellect, strength, or pride. To crush the head is to utterly destroy the vitality, leadership, and very existence of the opposing force. It implies total conquest.
• of his enemies (אֹיְבָיו ’oyvav): Plural of אֹיֵב (’oyev), meaning "adversary" or "foe." These are those actively hostile to God, His covenant, and His people. It refers to a consistent stance of opposition and rebellion against divine order.
• the hairy crowns (קָדְקֹד שֵׂעָר qodqōd śē‘ār):
  • Crowns (קָדְקֹד qodqōd): Literally the "crown of the head" or the "scalp," often referring to the very top and most vulnerable part of the head. It is synonymous with ro'sh (head) but can convey an even greater emphasis on the specific point of impact or vulnerability.
  • Hairy (שֵׂעָר śē‘ār): "Hair." The phrase "hairy crowns" likely refers to the long, unkempt hair often associated with barbarian tribes, wild warriors, or those living outside ordered society, symbolizing their fierce pride, uncivilized nature, and untamed rebellion. It could be a specific reference to certain groups known for their long hair (like nomadic Bedouin tribes or specific ancient pagan peoples). It is a contemptuous designation highlighting their primitive and rebellious spirit that sets them against God. It emphasizes their boastful and lawless power, which God will destroy.
• of those who walk (מִתְהַלֵּךְ mithallekh): A participle meaning "those who are walking," or "those who are continually walking/going." It signifies a consistent pattern of behavior, a chosen way of life, or a persistent moral orientation. It’s not just an occasional act, but an ongoing lifestyle.
• in their guilt (בַּאֲשָׁמָיו ba’ăšāmāw):
  • Guilt (אֲשָׁמָיו ’asham): "Guilt," "offense," "transgression," "trespass," or "iniquity." It can also refer to the penalty or consequence of sin. It indicates both their wrongful acts and the culpable condition of their being. This is the just cause for divine judgment – their continuous and intentional wicked behavior.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies": This phrase proclaims the absolute certainty and the brutal finality of God's judgment against His adversaries. It's an act of divine power, a judicial act where the ultimate authority (God) completely neutralizes any challenge to His sovereignty by striking at the very core (heads) of His opposition.
• "the hairy crowns of those who walk in their guilt": This specifies the nature of the enemies – they are characterized by their "hairy crowns" (representing barbaric pride, uncivilized defiance, or raw, unrestrained power) and their lifestyle "walking in their guilt" (a continuous, unrepentant adherence to sin and transgression). God's judgment targets not only overt acts of war but the underlying disposition of active, persistent rebellion and sin. It also emphasizes the justice of the divine judgment, as it is directed at those who are culpable due to their chosen way of life.

Psalm 68 21 Bonus section

The concept of "crushing the head" carries deep biblical resonance, harking back to the protoevangelium in Gen 3:15, where the serpent's head is promised to be bruised, ultimately fulfilled in Christ's victory over Satan (Rom 16:20). This thematic thread signifies God's absolute dominion over all forces of evil, spiritual or human, demonstrating that no opposition can ultimately withstand His power. The specific mention of "hairy crowns" serves to dehumanize and categorize God's enemies, not just as adversaries, but as wild, lawless, and unholy beings whose very prideful identity will be utterly annihilated by divine power. It highlights God's authority over not just the physical acts of war, but the very essence and character of those who reject Him.

Psalm 68 21 Commentary

Psalm 68:21 stands as a powerful declaration of God's just and decisive judgment. It conveys that the Almighty God, Yahweh, is not passive in the face of rebellion. He actively and definitively intervenes to dismantle all opposition. The imagery of "crushing heads" is intensely vivid, symbolizing total victory and the eradication of power, authority, and even the very life source of His enemies. The reiteration through "hairy crowns" further underscores this: it targets the prideful, unkempt, and wild nature of those who oppose divine order. These are not merely opponents; they are those whose entire "walk" or way of life is permeated by "guilt" and willful sin. Thus, God's judgment is portrayed not as arbitrary wrath but as righteous retribution against those who consistently choose a path of rebellion. This verse offers both a warning to the wicked and immense comfort to the righteous, assuring them that ultimate victory belongs to God and those who faithfully follow Him.