TRV
Translation
American Standard Version
Thou hast a mighty arm; Strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.
World English Bible Messianic
You have a mighty arm. Your hand is strong, and your right hand is exalted.
Young's Literal Translation
Thou hast an arm with might, Strong is Thy hand--high Thy right hand.
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Commentary on Psalms 89 verses 5–14
5 ¶ And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?
7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
8 O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?
9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.
10 Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.
11 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.
12 The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.
13 Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.
14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
These verses are full of the praises of God. Observe,
I. Where, and by whom, God is to be praised. 1. God is praised by the angels above: The heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord! Psa 89:5; that is, "the glorious inhabitants of the upper world continually celebrate thy praises." Bless the Lord, you his angels, Psa 103:20. The works of God are wonders even to those that are best acquainted and most intimately conversant with them; the more God's works are known the more they are admired and praised. This should make us love heaven, and long to be there, that there we shall have nothing else to do but to praise God and his wonders. 2. God is praised by the assemblies of his saints on earth (praise waits for him in Zion); and, though their praises fall so far short of the praises of angels, yet God is pleased to take notice of them, and accept of them, and reckon himself honoured by them. "Thy faithfulness and the truth of thy promise, that rock on which the church is built, shall be praised in the congregation of the saints, who owe their all to that faithfulness, and whose constant comfort it is that there is a promise, and that he is faithful who has promised." It is expected from God's saints on earth that they praise him; who should, if they do not? Let every saint praise him, but especially the congregation of saints; when they come together, let them join in praising God. The more the better; it is the more like heaven. Of the honour done to God by the assembly of the saints he speaks again (Psa 89:7): God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints. Saints should assemble for religious worship, that they may publicly own their relation to God and may stir up one another to give honour to him, and, in keeping up communion with God, may likewise maintain the communion of saints. In religious assemblies God has promised the presence of his grace, but we must also, in them, have an eye to his glorious presence, that the familiarity we are admitted to may not breed the least contempt; for he is terrible in his holy places, and therefore greatly to be feared. A holy awe of God must fall upon us, and fill us, in all our approaches to God, even in secret, to which something may very well be added by the solemnity of public assemblies. God must be had in reverence of all that are about him, that attend him continually as his servants or approach him upon any particular errand. See Lev 10:3. Those only serve God acceptably who serve him with reverence and godly fear, Heb 12:28.
II. What it is to praise God; it is to acknowledge him to be a being of unparalleled perfection, such a one that there is none like him, nor any to be compared with him, Psa 89:6. If there be any beings that can pretend to vie with God, surely they must be found among the angels; but they are all infinitely short of him: Who in the heaven can be compared with the Lord, so as to challenge any share of the reverence and adoration which are due to him only, or to set up in rivalship with him for the homage of the children of men? They are sons of the mighty, but which of them can be likened unto the Lord? Nobles are princes' peers; some parity there is between them. But there is none between God and the angels; they are not his peers. To whom will you liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One, Isa 40:25. This is insisted on again (Psa 89:8): Who is a strong Lord like unto thee? No angel, no earthly potentate, whatsoever, is comparable to God, or has an arm like him, or can thunder with a voice like him. Thy faithfulness is round about thee; that is, "thy angels who are round about thee, attending thee with their praises and ready to go on thy errands, are all faithful." Or, rather, "In every thing thou doest, on all sides, thou approvest thyself faithful to thy word, above whatever prince or potentate was." Among men it is too often found that those who are most able to break their word are least careful to keep it; but God is both strong and faithful; he can do every thing, and yet will never do an unjust thing.
III. What we ought, in our praises, to give God the glory of. Several things are here mentioned. 1. The command God has of the most ungovernable creatures (Psa 89:9): Thou rulest the raging of the sea, than which nothing is more frightful or threatening, nor more out of the power of man to give check to; it can swell no higher, roll no further, beat no harder, continue no longer, nor do any more hurt, than God suffers it. "When the waves thereof arise thou canst immediately hush them asleep, still them, and make them quiet, and turn the storm into a calm." This coming in here as an act of omnipotence, what manner of man then was the Lord Jesus, whom the winds and seas obeyed? 2. The victories God has obtained over the enemies of his church. His ruling the raging of the sea and quelling its billows was an emblem of this (Psa 89:10): Thou hast broken Rahab, many a proud enemy (so it signifies), Egypt in particular, which is sometimes called Rahab, broken it in pieces, as one that is slain and utterly unable to make head again. "The head being broken, thou hast scattered the remainder with the arm of thy strength." God has more ways than one to deal with his and his church's enemies. We think he should slay them immediately, but sometimes he scatters them, that he may send them abroad to be monuments of his justice, Psa 59:11. The remembrance of the breaking of Egypt in pieces is a comfort to the church, in reference to the present power of Babylon; for God is still the same. 3. The incontestable property he has in all the creatures of the upper and lower world (Psa 89:11, Psa 89:12): "Men are honoured for their large possessions; but the heavens are thine, O Lord! the earth also is thine; therefore we praise thee, therefore we trust in thee, therefore we will not fear what man can do against us. The world and the fulness thereof, all the riches contained in it, all the inhabitants of it, both the tenements and the tenants, are all thine; for thou hast founded them," and the founder may justly claim to be the owner. He specifies, (1.) The remotest parts of the world, the north and south, the countries that lie under the two poles, which are uninhabited and little known: "Thou hast created them, and therefore knowest them, takest care of them, and hast tributes of praise from them." The north is said to be hung over the empty place; yet what fulness there is there God is the owner of it. (2.) The highest parts of the world. He mentions the two highest hills in Canaan - "Tabor and Hermon" (one lying to the west, the other to the east); "these shall rejoice in thy name, for they are under the care of thy providence, and they produce offerings for thy altar." The little hills are said to rejoice in their own fruitfulness, Psa 65:12. Tabor is commonly supposed to be that high mountain in Galilee on the top of which Christ was transfigured; and then indeed it might be said to rejoice in that voice which was there heard, This is my beloved Son. 4. The power and justice, the mercy and truth, with which he governs the world and rules in the affairs of the children of men, Psa 89:13, Psa 89:14. (1.) God is able to do every thing; for his is the Lord God Almighty. His arm, his hand, is mighty and strong, both to save his people and to destroy his and their enemies; none can either resist the force or bear the weight of his mighty hand. High is his right hand, to reach the highest, even those that set their nests among the stars (Amo 9:2, Amo 9:3; Oba 1:4); his right hand is exalted in what he has done, for in thousands of instances he has signalized his power, Psa 118:16. (2.) He never did, nor ever will do, any thing that is either unjust or unwise; for righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. None of all his dictates or decrees ever varied from the rules of equity and wisdom, nor could ever any charge God with unrighteousness or folly. Justice and judgment are the preparing of his throne (so some), the establishment of it, so others. The preparations for his government in his counsels from eternity, and the establishment of it in its consequences to eternity, are all justice and judgment. (3.) He always does that which is kind to his people and consonant to the word which he has spoken: "Mercy and truth shall go before thy face, to prepare thy way, as harbingers to make room for thee - mercy in promising, truth in performing - truth in being as good as thy word, mercy in being better." How praiseworthy are these in great men, much more in the great God, in whom they are in perfection!
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 5–14. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 89
"You have a mighty arm" [Psalm 89:13]. Let no man arrogate anything to himself. "You have a mighty arm:" by You we were created, by You we have been defended. "You have a mighty arm: strong be Your hand, and high be Your right hand."
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 89:13 stands as a profound declaration of God's supreme power and absolute authority, serving as a foundational truth within a psalm that celebrates the Lord's unwavering faithfulness, particularly concerning His covenant with King David. This verse employs vivid anthropomorphic imagery—God's "mighty arm," "strong hand," and "high right hand"—to convey His irresistible might and exalted dominion, setting the stage for the psalmist's subsequent lament and reaffirming the divine capacity to uphold all promises despite apparent earthly setbacks.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 89:13 effectively employs several literary devices to convey the profound truth of God's power. The most prominent is Anthropomorphism, where human attributes—specifically body parts like "arm," "hand," and "right hand"—are ascribed to God. This is not meant to be taken literally, but rather serves to make abstract divine attributes comprehensible to human understanding, allowing the psalmist to vividly portray God's active involvement and immense strength in terms familiar to the audience. The verse also utilizes Parallelism, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the three clauses ("Thou hast a mighty arm," "strong is thy hand," and "high is thy right hand") express similar ideas of divine power and authority using different but related imagery. This repetition and variation serve to intensify and reinforce the central message, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's might. Furthermore, the language borders on Hyperbole or Exaltation, as it seeks to magnify God's power beyond any human scale, evoking a sense of awe and worship for His unrivaled majesty.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 89:13 is a cornerstone declaration of God's omnipotence and sovereignty, a truth that undergirds all biblical theology. It assures us that the God who makes promises is fully capable of fulfilling them, regardless of the daunting circumstances or the apparent failures of human agents. This verse grounds our understanding of God's covenant faithfulness; His "mighty arm" and "strong hand" are the guarantee that His word will stand. It speaks to a God who is not merely transcendent but actively engaged in history, powerful enough to deliver His people, establish His kingdom, and ultimately bring about His redemptive plan. The "high right hand" signifies His ultimate authority over all creation, assuring us that His purposes will prevail and His will shall be done.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Psalms 89:13 offers profound reassurance and a compelling call to trust. In a world often characterized by chaos, uncertainty, and seemingly insurmountable challenges, this verse reminds us that we serve a God of unparalleled power and absolute authority. His "mighty arm" and "strong hand" mean He is fully capable of handling every situation, fulfilling every promise, and intervening decisively in our lives. This truth provides a solid foundation for our faith, encouraging us to lean into His strength when our own fails. It also inspires confidence in prayer, knowing that we address a God who is not limited by human weakness or earthly obstacles, but is able to act powerfully on our behalf. Contemplating God's supreme strength and exalted "right hand" should naturally lead us to humility, awe, and worship, recognizing our place before the Creator and Sovereign of the universe. It invites us to surrender our anxieties and trust in His ultimate control and perfect plan, finding peace in His omnipotence.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the psalm emphasize God's power so much, especially when it later laments the apparent failure of the Davidic covenant?
Answer: The strong emphasis on God's power in the first part of Psalm 89, including verse 13, serves as a crucial theological foundation for the entire psalm. It establishes the absolute certainty of God's character and capabilities before the psalmist articulates the deep lament over the seemingly broken Davidic covenant. This contrast highlights the tension between God's unwavering faithfulness and omnipotence on one hand, and the painful reality of Israel's suffering and the monarchy's decline on the other. The psalmist is not questioning God's power, but rather seeking understanding and intervention from a God known to be supremely mighty. This initial affirmation of divine strength grounds the hope that God, despite appearances, remains able to fulfill His promises and restore His people, as He demonstrated with His "mighty arm" in the Exodus deliverance.
Are "arm," "hand," and "right hand" meant to be taken literally as physical body parts of God?
Answer: No, these terms are examples of anthropomorphism, a literary device where human characteristics or body parts are attributed to God to describe His actions and attributes in a way that humans can understand. God is spirit and does not have a physical body, as confirmed in John 4:24. The "mighty arm," "strong hand," and "high right hand" are vivid metaphors used to convey God's immense power, active involvement, sovereign control, and supreme authority. They communicate His ability to execute His will, intervene in history, and accomplish His purposes with irresistible force and unwavering precision.
How does this verse relate to God's covenant with David, which is a major theme in Psalm 89?
Answer: Psalms 89:13, with its declaration of God's "mighty arm," "strong hand," and "high right hand," serves as the divine guarantee for the Davidic covenant described in 2 Samuel 7. The psalmist affirms God's absolute power and authority precisely because it is this power that ensures the fulfillment of His covenant promises—promises that include an enduring dynasty and an eternal kingdom through David's line. Even when the Davidic monarchy faced severe challenges and apparent collapse, the psalmist's hope was rooted in the unshakeable might of the covenant-making God. This verse reminds us that God's ability to keep His word is not dependent on human strength or circumstances, but on His own inherent, unrivaled power.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 89:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's "mighty arm" and "strong hand" in action, through whom the Father executes His redemptive purposes and demonstrates His supreme authority. The New Testament consistently portrays Jesus as the one in whom all divine power resides. His miracles, His authority over nature and demons, His power to forgive sins, and ultimately His victory over death and the grave all testify to the "exceeding greatness of His power," as described in Ephesians 1:19—the very power echoed in Psalms 89:13. Furthermore, the declaration "high is thy right hand" finds its climactic expression in Christ's resurrection and ascension. Having conquered sin and death, Jesus was "exalted to the right hand of God" (Acts 2:33), where He now reigns as Lord of all, wielding all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). He is the true and eternal Son of David, the one through whom God's covenant promises are eternally established, making Him the ultimate demonstration of God's invincible power and sovereign reign, as beautifully articulated in Philippians 2:9-11.