Psalms 21:12

KJV

Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, [when] thou shalt make ready [thine arrows] upon thy strings against the face of them.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore shalt thou make {H7896} them turn their back {H7926}, when thou shalt make ready {H3559} thine arrows upon thy strings {H4340} against the face {H6440} of them.

Complete Jewish Bible

For you will make them turn their back by aiming your bow at their faces.

Berean Standard Bible

For You will put them to flight when Your bow is trained upon them.

American Standard Version

For thou wilt make them turn their back; Thou wilt make ready with thy bowstrings against their face.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 21:12 powerfully portrays the Lord's decisive and overwhelming victory over the enemies of His anointed king, promising their utter rout and humiliation. Through vivid military imagery, the verse underscores divine judgment and the unwavering protection God extends to those who trust in Him, revealing His active readiness to confront and defeat all opposition to His righteous rule and purposes. It is a declaration of God's sovereign and irresistible might.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 21 is a psalm of thanksgiving, celebrating God's gracious deliverance and the victory He has granted to the king. It stands in close relationship with [Psalm 20](/psalms/20 "Psalm 20 - A Prayer for the King Before Battle"), which is a prayer offered *before* battle, seeking divine intervention for the king's success. In Psalm 21, the battle has been won, and the king attributes his triumph entirely to the Lord's strength and blessing, not his own might. Specifically, [Psalm 21:11](/psalms/21-11 "Psalm 21:11 - Enemies Devising Mischief") describes the enemies' futile attempts to devise mischief and evil schemes against the king, setting the stage for verse 12. This verse then details the certain and devastating outcome of God's intervention against those very adversaries, functioning as a declaration of the *result* of God's active defense of His chosen one. The psalmist moves from the enemies' malicious intent to their inevitable downfall at God's hand.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This psalm reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of kingship, where the king was often seen as God's chosen representative on earth, and his battles were, by extension, God's battles. Victory or defeat in war was frequently interpreted as a direct indicator of divine favor or displeasure. The imagery of arrows, bowstrings, and turning one's back in flight is deeply rooted in ancient military practices. Archers were crucial in battle, and a rout (enemies turning their backs and fleeing) signified a complete and humiliating defeat, often leading to heavy casualties among the fleeing. The king, though leading armies, understood that ultimate victory came from divine intervention, reinforcing the theological concept that "the battle is the Lord's," as seen in [1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The Battle is the Lord's") and throughout Israel's history, where God often intervened miraculously.

* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes significantly to several major themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights **Divine Judgment and Vengeance**, emphasizing God's active and personal role in bringing about the downfall of the wicked and those who oppose His righteous will and His anointed. It powerfully illustrates **God's Sovereignty in Battle**, asserting that true victory is not a matter of human military might but of God's irresistible power and readiness to act on behalf of His chosen ones. The theme of the **Utter Defeat of Enemies** is central, with "make them turn their back" signifying a complete rout and flight, demonstrating the enemies' inability to withstand God's might and the humiliation of their defeat. Finally, the imagery of God making ready "thine arrows upon thy strings" underscores **God's Readiness to Act** decisively and precisely against all opposition, assuring His people of His constant vigilance and intervention to uphold justice and protect His covenant. This theme resonates with other passages describing God as a warrior, such as [Exodus 15:3](/exodus/15-3 "Exodus 15:3 - The Lord is a Warrior").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **make ready (Hebrew, _kûwn'_):** From the primitive root H3559, meaning "to be erect," "to set up," "to establish," "to fix," or "to prepare." When applied to God preparing His arrows, it signifies a deliberate, purposeful, and effective action. It implies a meticulous and precise deployment of divine judgment, ensuring that the arrows are perfectly aimed and will achieve their intended devastating effect, not a hasty or random preparation. This preparation guarantees the certainty of the outcome.
* **strings (Hebrew, _mêythâr'_):** From H4340, meaning "a cord (of a tent)" or "the string (of a bow)." In this context, it specifically refers to the bowstring, the critical component for launching arrows. The mention of "strings" emphasizes the readiness of the divine weapon, implying that the bow is drawn taut, the arrow is nocked, and the release is imminent. It highlights the immediate and poised nature of God's impending action.
* **face (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** From H6440, a plural noun referring to "the face" (as the part that turns). Used here with a prepositional prefix ("against the face of them"), it means "in their presence" or "before their faces." This emphasizes the direct, inescapable, and personal nature of God's judgment. The enemies are confronted head-on with divine power; there is no hiding or avoiding this confrontation, ensuring they cannot escape or withstand His power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back":** This clause declares the inevitable and divinely orchestrated consequence for the king's enemies. The "thou" refers to God, indicating His direct and sovereign agency in causing their rout and flight. It's not merely that they will flee, but that God will *make* them flee, highlighting His absolute control over the outcome of the conflict and the complete humiliation of the adversaries, who are forced to show their backs in shameful retreat.
* **"[when] thou shalt make ready [thine arrows] upon thy strings":** This describes the divine action that precipitates the enemies' defeat. The imagery of God preparing His arrows on His bowstrings portrays Him as a divine warrior, poised and ready to strike. "Making ready" implies a deliberate and precise act, suggesting that God's judgment is not haphazard but targeted and effective, ensuring the complete and decisive defeat of His foes through His direct intervention.
* **"against the face of them":** This final phrase emphasizes the directness, inescapability, and confrontational nature of God's judgment. The arrows are aimed directly at the enemies, leaving them no avenue for escape or defense. It underscores the personal and unavoidable nature of divine justice, where the adversaries are brought face-to-face with the irresistible power of God, experiencing His wrath directly.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 21:12 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment and victory. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where God is depicted as a divine warrior or archer. This imagery transforms the abstract concept of divine judgment into a concrete, relatable, and fearsome action, making God's power tangible and immediate. Closely related is **Imagery**, which is rich and vivid, painting a clear picture of arrows being readied on taut bowstrings and enemies turning their backs in panicked, humiliating flight. This sensory detail enhances the emotional impact and underscores the completeness of the defeat. **Anthropomorphism** is also present, as God is attributed with human-like actions (making ready arrows, having strings), allowing human understanding to grasp His active and personal involvement in earthly affairs. Finally, the phrase "make them turn their back" functions as **Synecdoche**, where a part (turning the back) represents the whole (complete defeat, rout, and flight). The overall effect is a powerful and dramatic declaration of God's sovereign and irresistible might against His adversaries.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates God's active engagement in the affairs of His creation, particularly in defending His anointed and executing justice. It reinforces the biblical truth that God is not a passive observer but a divine warrior who intervenes decisively on behalf of His people. The defeat of the enemies is not merely a military outcome but a theological statement about God's righteousness, His unwavering commitment to uphold His covenant and promises, and His absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers. It assures believers that ultimate justice belongs to the Lord, and those who oppose His will or His people will inevitably face His certain judgment. This divine readiness to act serves as both a profound comfort to the faithful, knowing their defender is mighty, and a solemn warning to the wicked, demonstrating that God's sovereignty extends even to the outcomes of battles and the fate of nations.

* [Deuteronomy 28:7](/deuteronomy/28-7 "Deuteronomy 28:7 - Enemies Smitten Before You")
* [Isaiah 41:11-12](/isaiah/41-11-12 "Isaiah 41:11-12 - Those Incensed Against You Will Perish")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, Says the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Psalm 21:12 offers profound assurance regarding God's unwavering protection and His ultimate justice, even when we face spiritual or personal battles that are not physical. While we may not encounter literal armies, we often contend with spiritual opposition, the schemes of evil, or various forms of adversity and injustice in the world. This verse reminds us that we serve a God who is not distant or indifferent but actively engaged, prepared, and poised to intervene on behalf of His faithful. It encourages us to trust in His sovereign power to defend us from the unseen forces of evil and to ultimately bring about righteousness in His perfect timing. Our confidence is not in our own strength, wisdom, or strategies, but in the Lord's readiness to fight for us, knowing that He will ultimately triumph over all that opposes His good purposes. This truth empowers us to stand firm in faith, knowing that though evil may seem to prevail for a time, God’s decisive and inescapable judgment will ultimately establish His perfect justice and secure the victory for His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of God making ready His arrows comfort or challenge your understanding of His active involvement in your life's struggles?**
* **In what spiritual battles or personal adversities do you need to trust God's readiness to "make them turn their back" on your behalf?**
* **How does the certainty of God's ultimate justice, as depicted in this verse, impact your response to present injustices or the apparent triumph of evil in the world?**

### FAQ
**Is this verse promoting violence or human vengeance?**

Answer: No, this verse is not promoting human violence or vengeance. Instead, it is a poetic and theological declaration of *divine* judgment and protection. The imagery of God as a warrior with arrows is a powerful metaphor for His sovereign power and His active role in executing justice and defending His anointed king. In the context of the Psalms, such language often describes God's just response to those who oppose His righteous rule and harm His people. It emphasizes that ultimate justice belongs to the Lord, as echoed in [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, Says the Lord"), where believers are instructed not to take revenge but to leave room for God's wrath. The verse assures believers that God is actively engaged in upholding righteousness and will ultimately bring about the downfall of evil, ensuring that His purposes prevail.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 21:12 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true and eternal Anointed King (Messiah). While the psalm initially celebrates the victory of an earthly king, it foreshadows the greater triumph of God's Son over all spiritual and physical opposition. The enemies who plot against the king in the Old Testament ultimately prefigure the spiritual forces of darkness—sin, death, and the devil—that conspired against Christ. Just as God made ready His arrows against the earthly king's adversaries, so too did He decisively act through Christ to defeat these ultimate enemies. On the cross, Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), disarmed the powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Disarming the Powers and Authorities")). His resurrection is the ultimate declaration that the "battle is the Lord's" and that the enemies have been made to "turn their back" in utter and eternal defeat. Furthermore, Christ's glorious return will bring the final and complete execution of divine judgment, where all who oppose Him will be utterly vanquished, and His righteous kingdom will be fully and eternally established ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse and Final Judgment")). Thus, Psalms 21:12 points to the decisive and eternal victory achieved by and through our Lord Jesus Christ, assuring believers of His triumph over all spiritual adversaries.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 7:12

If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

Psalms 7:13

He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.

Psalms 18:40

Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.

Psalms 64:7

¶ But God shall shoot at them [with] an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.

Psalms 56:9

When I cry [unto thee], then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God [is] for me.

Psalms 44:10

Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.

Job 16:12

I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken [me] by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.