Psalm 89 21

Psalm 89:21 kjv

With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.

Psalm 89:21 nkjv

With whom My hand shall be established; Also My arm shall strengthen him.

Psalm 89:21 niv

My hand will sustain him; surely my arm will strengthen him.

Psalm 89:21 esv

so that my hand shall be established with him; my arm also shall strengthen him.

Psalm 89:21 nlt

I will steady him with my hand;
with my powerful arm I will make him strong.

Psalm 89 verses

Psalm 89 21 Meaning

Psalm 89:21 proclaims God's unwavering commitment to His chosen king, David. It assures that God's powerful presence, symbolized by His hand, will consistently uphold and maintain David in his position and against his adversaries. Furthermore, God's arm, representing His active strength, will infuse David with might and resilience, enabling him to fulfill his role and overcome challenges. This verse is a declarative statement of divine support and empowerment, integral to the promises of the Davidic covenant.

Psalm 89 21 Context

Psalm 89 is a poignant maskil, or reflective psalm, written by Ethan the Ezrahite. The first half of the psalm (vv. 1-37) is a grand celebration of God's steadfast love (hesed) and faithfulness (ʾemunah), specifically highlighting His covenant promises made to King David, as recorded in 2 Samuel 7. This covenant established David's lineage and throne forever. Verse 21 fits squarely within this joyful recollection of divine promises, detailing the powerful support God pledged to David. It emphasizes that David's strength and success are not of his own making but are entirely dependent on God's sustaining and empowering presence. The latter half of the psalm (vv. 38-52), however, dramatically shifts to a lament, as the psalmist observes a present reality that seems to contradict God's earlier promises—the Davidic monarchy is suffering greatly, seemingly abandoned by God. This stark contrast underscores the critical importance of verses like 21, as a bedrock of promise and faith against a backdrop of present despair, anchoring hope in God's immutable character and promises despite appearances.

Psalm 89 21 Word analysis

• My hand (yadi - יָדִי): "My" signifies direct divine agency and intimate involvement. "Hand" is an anthropomorphism representing God's active power, presence, protection, guidance, and authority. In biblical terms, the hand of God implies decisive action and effective work.
• will sustain (tishmaškennu - תִמֹּשֵׁהוּ from the root tamakh (תָּמַךְ)): This Hebrew verb means to support, uphold, lean on, or hold up. It denotes not just passive observation but an active, constant upholding, preventing collapse or failure. The future tense implies certainty and continuous action.
• him: Refers directly to the chosen one, David, and implicitly to his descendant, the Messiah. This personal address highlights God's specific commitment.
• My arm (uzroi - וּזְרוֹעִי): "My" again emphasizes divine ownership. "Arm," parallel to "hand," is another anthropomorphism, frequently used to symbolize God's great strength, irresistible power, and deliverance, especially in contexts of battle or strong intervention. It often connotes might used in saving or breaking power.
• also: This conjunction emphasizes the complementary nature of the second clause. God's support is multifaceted and comprehensive, combining active sustaining with internal strengthening.
• will strengthen (t'amm'tsennu - תְאַמְּצֶנּוּ from the root ’amats (אָמַץ)): This Hebrew verb means to make strong, encourage, confirm, or enable. It speaks to infusing power, courage, and fortitude into the recipient. It suggests empowering for future actions, challenges, or perseverance. The future tense ensures the certainty of this empowerment.

Word-group by words-group analysis

• "My hand will sustain him; My arm also will strengthen him.": This sentence exemplifies perfect synonymous parallelism, a common poetic device in Psalms. The second half restates and intensifies the first half using different but related imagery. "Hand" parallels "arm" as symbols of divine power, and "sustain" parallels "strengthen," describing the comprehensive nature of God's support. This poetic structure reinforces the certainty and fullness of the divine promise. The pairing of 'hand' (perhaps signifying detailed care and guidance) and 'arm' (representing forceful, protective might) conveys a complete, all-encompassing divine backing, ensuring not just preservation but active empowerment for kingship and conflict. The emphasis throughout is on God as the singular source of all necessary power for His chosen vessel.

Psalm 89 21 Bonus section

• Anthropomorphism in Scripture: The use of "hand" and "arm" for God are prime examples of anthropomorphism, attributing human body parts or characteristics to God. This literary device is essential in biblical revelation because it makes abstract divine attributes comprehensible to human beings, emphasizing God's personal involvement and tangible effects without literally assigning Him a physical body. These figures of speech underline God's active will and direct intervention in history and individual lives.
• Tension in Psalm 89: The declaration in Psalm 89:21 stands in sharp contrast to the psalmist's lament later in the chapter (e.g., Ps 89:38-45), where God's hand seems to be against His anointed. This profound theological tension (between divine promise and felt reality) is central to Psalm 89. Verse 21, however, represents the enduring truth of God's foundational character and covenant faithfulness, providing hope and a standard against which temporary hardships can be measured. It affirms that despite appearances, God’s original and ultimate promise remains true, ultimately fulfilled perfectly in Jesus Christ, the everlasting Davidic King whom God supremely sustained and strengthened.

Psalm 89 21 Commentary

Psalm 89:21 succinctly declares God's steadfast and comprehensive commitment to King David. It is a powerful affirmation within the Davidic covenant, assuring that the strength, stability, and success of David (and, ultimately, his royal line culminating in Christ) emanate entirely from God. The anthropomorphic images of God's "hand" and "arm" convey personal involvement and overwhelming power. His "hand" signifies divine preservation and steadying presence, ensuring David does not fall or fail in his core responsibilities. Simultaneously, His "arm" indicates an infusion of might and courage, empowering David for action, for leadership, and to face any adversary. This divine sustenance and strengthening are not passive but active and unfailing, ensuring the endurance of the promised dynasty even through formidable challenges. The verse underlines that God’s chosen instruments are not left to their own devices; their ability and efficacy derive from His unfailing and mighty support.