Psalm 89 41

Psalm 89:41 kjv

All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.

Psalm 89:41 nkjv

All who pass by the way plunder him; He is a reproach to his neighbors.

Psalm 89:41 niv

All who pass by have plundered him; he has become the scorn of his neighbors.

Psalm 89:41 esv

All who pass by plunder him; he has become the scorn of his neighbors.

Psalm 89:41 nlt

Everyone who comes along has robbed him,
and he has become a joke to his neighbors.

Psalm 89 verses

Psalm 89 41 Meaning

Psalm 89:41 describes a devastating scenario where God, once the protector, is portrayed as the direct agent of destruction against the Davidic king's defenses. It implies total military defeat and national humiliation. The verse expresses a profound sense of divine abandonment and active demolition of what was previously safeguarded, bringing intense reproach upon the king and the kingdom.

Psalm 89 41 Context

Psalm 89 is a powerful psalm that begins with a glorious declaration of God's covenant faithfulness, especially to David and his descendants (Ps 89:1-37), celebrating God's power and righteous rule. It recounts the eternal promises made in 2 Samuel 7—an everlasting dynasty, an unbreakable covenant, and a perpetual kingdom. However, the psalm takes a dramatic turn from verse 38 onwards, shifting into a lament and complaint. The psalmist bewails the current plight of the Davidic king, who appears to have been abandoned, defeated, and shamed. The covenant promises seem utterly broken by the visible reality of national humiliation. Verses 38-45 describe this devastating situation, detailing how the king has been disgraced, his crown defiled, and his defenses dismantled, leading to utter ruin. The verse "You have broken down all his walls; You have brought his strongholds to ruin" depicts the ultimate breach of protection, presenting God not as the traditional guardian, but as the active demolisher. This reflects a period of profound national crisis, possibly the Babylonian exile or a significant military defeat, where the kingdom's security and the very foundations of the Davidic dynasty were collapsing. The Psalmist's lament reflects deep bewilderment, struggling to reconcile God's past promises with His present, perceived actions.

Psalm 89 41 Word analysis

• You (אַתָּה - 'attāh): Refers directly to God. The immediate second-person address makes it a direct accusation or desperate questioning of God's actions, emphasizing divine agency in the catastrophe.

• have broken down (פָּרַ֥צְתָּ - pā·raṣ·tā): From the Hebrew root פָּרַץ (parats), meaning "to break through, break out, burst, breach, make a breakthrough, burst open." It implies forceful and violent action. The perfect tense indicates a completed action with lasting consequences. This highlights that the destruction is not accidental but deliberately carried out by God.

• all (כָּל־ - kāl): Denotes totality and completeness. No part is left standing; the destruction is absolute.

• his walls (גְּדֵרֹתָ֑יו - gə·ḏê·rō·ṯāw): From גְּדֵרָה (gĕḏērâ), referring to a fence, wall, or enclosure, often built for protection around cities, vineyards, or pastures. Significance: These are the protective barriers, symbolizing the king's and kingdom's security. "His" connects it directly to the king mentioned in the preceding verses.

• You (וְשַׂמְתָּ - wə·śam·tā): Again, a direct reference to God, reinforcing His active role. The וְ (waw) prefix indicates "and" or "then," linking this action closely to the previous one.

• have brought (שַׂמְתָּ - śam·tā): From שׂוּם (śûm), meaning "to set, put, place, make, appoint." It suggests a deliberate act of establishing something into a particular state or condition. God actively "made" or "rendered" the strongholds into ruin.

• his strongholds (מִבְצָרָיו - miv·ṣā·rāw): From מִבְצָר (mibṣār), meaning "fortified place, fortress, stronghold, defense." These are more robust, military-grade defenses than mere "walls," implying the innermost and most secure protections.

• to ruin (לְחֶרְפָּה - lə·ḥer·pāh): The preposition לְ (le) means "to" or "for." חֶרְפָּה (ḥerpâ) means "reproach, scorn, disgrace, shame, humiliation." This indicates that the destruction leads directly to public disgrace and a loss of honor for the king and his people. The state of "ruin" is not merely physical but also deeply moral and social.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "You have broken down all his walls": This phrase directly attributes the demolition of the outer, protective layers of the king's defenses to God Himself. It conveys a complete removal of security. The language suggests a forceful, decisive action, eliminating any semblance of external safety for the king's domain.
  • "You have brought his strongholds to ruin": This goes beyond the mere breaking of walls to the utter destruction of the inner, more formidable defenses. "Strongholds" represent the ultimate bastion of security, and their reduction "to ruin" (or "to shame" / "disgrace") signifies not just physical devastation but profound humiliation and the exposure of utter weakness. The two clauses together depict a comprehensive and systematic dismantlement of all the king's protective measures, orchestrated by the very One who was once their greatest defense.

Psalm 89 41 Bonus section

The psalmist's profound crisis of faith, depicted in verses like Psalm 89:41, is a significant biblical theme often explored in prophetic literature and wisdom writings. This tension between God's promises and the harsh realities of suffering prompts deep theological reflection on God's sovereignty, justice, and faithfulness, particularly in the face of apparent divine abandonment or judgment. The vivid military imagery underscores the completeness of the humiliation experienced by the Davidic line, making the "reproach" felt keenly by the entire nation. While Psalm 89 does not fully resolve this tension within the lament itself, it concludes with a doxology (Ps 89:52), typical of the Book of Psalms, signaling that despite the unanswered questions and profound despair, faith in God's ultimate kingship endures. This points towards the eventual hope for divine intervention and the restoration of God's covenant, fulfilled ultimately in the Messiah.

Psalm 89 41 Commentary

Psalm 89:41 serves as a stark lament within the psalm, profoundly expressing the perceived reversal of God's role towards the Davidic covenant. Where God was once celebrated as an unyielding fortress and the covenant's steadfast guarantor, He is now depicted as the active demolisher of His anointed king's defenses. This imagery of broken walls and ruined strongholds illustrates total and irreparable defeat, symbolizing not only military subjugation but also deep spiritual and psychological despair. The choice of words, especially "broken down" and "brought to ruin," emphasizes a deliberate, comprehensive, and humiliating destruction at God's hand. This isn't merely abandonment; it's active divine hostility. The psalm grapples with the intense theological paradox of a faithful God seemingly acting contrary to His own promises, exposing the Davidic king and his kingdom to utter shame and plunder. It portrays the agony of God's people when their perceived reality contradicts the divine Word they hold dear.