Psalm 81 14

Psalm 81:14 kjv

I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.

Psalm 81:14 nkjv

I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn My hand against their adversaries.

Psalm 81:14 niv

how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!

Psalm 81:14 esv

I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes.

Psalm 81:14 nlt

How quickly I would then subdue their enemies!
How soon my hands would be upon their foes!

Psalm 81 verses

Psalm 81 14 Meaning

God expresses His deep desire that Israel would have listened to Him. Had they obeyed, He declares He would have swiftly and decisively defeated all their oppressors and enemies, protecting them completely. This verse highlights the profound connection between Israel's obedience and God's immediate and powerful intervention on their behalf against external threats. It's a lament over a lost opportunity for uninterrupted peace and triumph.

Psalm 81 14 Context

Psalm 81 is a unique blend of worship, historical remembrance, and a direct prophetic message from God to Israel. The Psalm begins as a call to communal praise during a festival, likely Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) or Passover, celebrating God's deliverance from Egypt. From verse 6 onwards, the voice shifts to God Himself, recounting His past faithfulness in delivering them from bondage (vv. 6-7) and reiterating the core covenant demand for exclusive worship (vv. 8-10). God then expresses sorrow and disappointment over Israel's repeated stubbornness and disobedience, highlighting their refusal to listen to Him and walk in His ways (vv. 11-12). Verse 14 falls within God's lament (vv. 13-16), a poignant reflection on the glorious future Israel forfeited. Had they truly obeyed, their experience would have been one of unbroken peace, security, and overflowing provision, utterly free from the harassment of their foes. This highlights God's unwavering desire to bless and protect His people, conditional upon their fidelity to His covenant.

Psalm 81 14 Word analysis

• I would soon (אֶמְעִיד - e’ma'id): This is a Hiphil imperfect form of the verb מָעַד (ma'ad), which means "to totter," "to shake," or "to stumble." In the Hiphil causative stem, it translates to "I would cause to totter," "I would overthrow," or "I would subvert." The contextual nuance implies swift, immediate, and decisive action from God to defeat the enemies.
• subdue (אֶמְעִיד - e’ma'id): This is the same Hebrew word as "soon" / "quickly." It directly conveys the action of "I would overthrow" or "I would cause to fall," indicating a complete and comprehensive defeat rather than mere weakening.
• their enemies (צָרֵיהֶם - tsar'eihem): Derived from the root צָר (tsar), which denotes "adversary" or "foe," but also carries connotations of "distress" or "narrowness." This root emphasizes the oppressive and troubling nature of the foes, underscoring their role in causing difficulty and restriction for God's people. God's act is to relieve this specific distress.
• and turn My hand (וְאָשִׁיבָה יָדִי - v'a'shi'va ya'di): Literally, "and I would bring back/turn my hand." This is an anthropomorphic idiom symbolizing direct, decisive, and powerful divine action. "Turning the hand" in biblical contexts often implies active judgment or potent intervention, whether for deliverance or retribution. Here, it signifies a deliberate and forceful strike against Israel's adversaries.
• against their adversaries (וְעַל צָרֵיהֶם - v'al tzar'eihem): Once more utilizing צָר (tsar) for "adversaries," reinforcing the idea of persistent, troublesome foes. The preposition "al" (upon/against) further underscores the direct and targeted nature of God's action, ensuring comprehensive defeat of every form of opposition.

Psalm 81 14 Words-group by words-group analysis

• "I would soon subdue their enemies": This phrase expresses God's ready and powerful inclination to deliver His people. The inherent swiftness implies that prolonged suffering at the hands of enemies is ultimately a consequence of human failure to listen. The act of "subduing" signifies a complete military and strategic victory, utterly eliminating all opposition and bringing them under God's dominion.
• "and turn My hand against their adversaries": This statement amplifies the preceding phrase by illustrating the intensity and method of God's subduing: direct, personal, and powerful divine intervention. "Turning My hand" signifies purposeful, decisive, and inescapable judgment directed precisely against Israel's specific tormentors. The pairing of "enemies" and "adversaries," though similar, emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of God's promised triumph over every single form of opposition to His obedient people. This twin expression powerfully declares God's complete dominion and protective zeal.

Psalm 81 14 Bonus section

The conditional nature of this verse, deeply rooted in the Old Covenant (Mosaic Law), reveals a key theological principle: God's temporal blessings often flow in direct correlation with human fidelity and obedience. While grace in the New Covenant through Christ changes the basis of salvation and ultimate righteousness, the principle of obedience leading to a fuller experience of God's protective and provisional blessings remains significant for discipleship, overcoming temptation, and experiencing divine peace and guidance. This verse showcases God's active involvement in the worldly affairs of His people, illustrating that He desires not just their spiritual salvation but also their well-being and security in the present, unhindered by external foes, when they remain loyal to Him. The anthropomorphic language ("I would turn My hand") communicates the intensely personal and direct nature of God's intervention, making it clear that His commitment to His covenant people is deeply intimate and proactive.

Psalm 81 14 Commentary

Psalm 81:14 stands as a profound revelation of God's heart and the missed potential for His people. It expresses divine yearning, a conditional promise hinging entirely on Israel's obedience. God, omnipotent and zealous for His people, longs to activate His full power to grant them continuous, unchallenged peace and decisive victory over all who rise against them. This is not a reluctant aid, but a swift and passionate intervention that Israel continually forfeited through their disobedience. The verse emphasizes that any suffering or subjugation faced by Israel was not due to God's weakness or inability, but tragically, their own stubborn turning from His perfect path. It serves as an eternal reminder that a deep, flourishing relationship with God, characterized by listening and walking in His ways, unlocks divine power and protection beyond human comprehension, potentially averting countless troubles.