Psalms 89:43

KJV

Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou hast also turned {H7725}{H8686)} the edge {H6697} of his sword {H2719}, and hast not made him to stand {H6965}{H8689)} in the battle {H4421}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You drive back his drawn sword and fail to support him in battle.

Berean Standard Bible

You have bent the edge of his sword and have not sustained him in battle.

American Standard Version

Yea, thou turnest back the edge of his sword, And hast not made him to stand in the battle.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 89:43 is a profound lament within a psalm that initially celebrates God's unwavering faithfulness to the Davidic covenant. This verse vividly portrays the Davidic king's military defeat and humiliation, attributing his utter powerlessness directly to God's active intervention. It expresses the psalmist's deep distress and confusion over the apparent contradiction between God's promises of perpetual protection and victory for the Davidic line and the devastating reality of divine abandonment in battle.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 89, attributed to Ethan the Ezrahite, is structured as a dramatic theological argument. The first half (vv. 1-37) is a magnificent hymn of praise, extolling God's steadfast love (חֶסֶד, *ḥesed*) and His eternal covenant with David, promising an enduring dynasty and an unbreakable throne ([Psalms 89:3-4](/psalms/89-3 "Psalms 89:3-4 - God's Covenant with David")). However, a stark and jarring shift occurs from verse 38 onward, plunging the psalm into a profound lament. The psalmist confronts God with the current reality: the Davidic king is suffering defeat, disgrace, and apparent divine rejection, seemingly abandoned despite the solemn covenant. Verse 43 is a crucial part of this lament, detailing the king's military failure, which is explicitly attributed to God's hand, directly contradicting the earlier promises of divine protection and victory for the monarch. This tension between divine promise and present experience forms the core of the psalm's theological struggle.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Davidic covenant, established in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"), was foundational to Israelite kingship and national identity. It promised an eternal dynasty, a secure throne, and divine protection for David's descendants. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, military success was often seen as a direct sign of divine favor, while defeat indicated divine displeasure or abandonment. The king, as God's anointed, was expected to lead the nation to victory, and his defeat was a national catastrophe, implying a breach in the divine-royal relationship. While the specific historical defeat referenced in Psalm 89 is debated (some suggest the Babylonian exile, others a more localized military disaster), the lament reflects a period when the Davidic monarchy was clearly in a state of severe crisis, its very existence threatened, and the covenant promises seemed to have failed. This context underscores the psalmist's deep theological anguish and the weight of the king's humiliation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 89 and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty in Defeat**, asserting that even in the face of national humiliation and the king's military collapse, it is God who has "turned the edge of his sword" and "not made him to stand." This underscores God's absolute control over the outcomes of battles, whether for victory or defeat, a theme echoed in passages like [1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The Battle Belongs to the Lord"), where David declares that "the battle is the Lord's." Secondly, the psalmist's deep distress stems from the apparent **Breach of Covenant**, as the king's inability to stand in battle suggests a severe withdrawal of the protective aspect of the Davidic covenant, creating a profound theological tension. Thirdly, the imagery vividly conveys **Humiliation and Weakness**, depicting a once-mighty king rendered utterly powerless by divine intervention, symbolizing a complete loss of royal authority and military efficacy. This lament confronts the difficult question of how God's faithfulness can be reconciled with the experience of suffering and apparent divine abandonment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **turned the edge (Hebrew, _heshavta qetsat_):** The verb הֵשַׁבְתָּ (_heshavta_) is a causative form (Hiphil) of שׁוּב (_shuv_), meaning "to turn back" or "to return." In this context, it signifies an active, deliberate act by God to render the sword ineffective, perhaps by blunting its sharp edge or causing it to be turned away from its target. This is not merely a passive withdrawal of support but an aggressive, direct divine intervention to disarm the king and nullify his military might. The word קְצַת (_qetsat_) refers to the "edge" or "point" of the sword, emphasizing the specific part made useless.
* **sword (Hebrew, _ḥarbo_):** The word חַרְבּוֹ (_ḥarbo_) refers to the king's sword, a potent symbol of military power, royal authority, and the means by which justice was executed and enemies were defeated. By turning its edge, God directly undermines the very instrument of the king's strength and sovereignty, illustrating a complete divine reversal of the king's expected role as a victorious warrior.
* **not made him to stand (Hebrew, _velo haqemoto bammilchamah_):** The phrase לֹא הֲקִימֹתוֹ (_lo haqimōtō_) uses the negative particle לֹא (_lo_) with the Hiphil (causative) form of קוּם (_qum_), meaning "to rise," "stand," or "establish." Thus, "not made him to stand" means God actively prevented him from being established, upheld, or victorious in battle. It implies a complete withdrawal of divine support and strength, leading to utter defeat and collapse rather than stability or triumph. The king is not merely failing; he is being *made* to fail by divine decree.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword":** This clause directly attributes the king's military impotence to God's active, decisive intervention. The imagery is vivid: God has rendered the king's primary weapon useless, either by blunting it or causing it to be ineffective in striking. This signifies a profound reversal of divine favor and protection, as the very instrument of the king's power is neutralized by the one who was supposed to guarantee his victories. It speaks to God's absolute sovereignty over the outcomes of human endeavors, even those of His anointed king.
* **"and hast not made him to stand in the battle":** This second clause describes the devastating consequence of the first. Because God has rendered the king's sword useless and withdrawn His support, the king is utterly unable to maintain his position, fight effectively, or achieve victory in battle. The phrase "not made him to stand" conveys complete defeat, rout, and humiliation. It underscores that the king's failure is not due to his own weakness or the enemy's strength alone, but fundamentally to God's active decision to withhold His empowering presence and allow, or even cause, the king's downfall.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 89:43 employs several literary devices to convey the depth of the psalmist's lament and the severity of the king's defeat. **Personification** is evident in the active role attributed to God, who "turns the edge" of the sword, giving a human-like action to the divine. This emphasizes God's direct and personal involvement in the king's plight. **Metonymy** is also present, where the "sword" represents the king's entire military power and capacity for warfare; by rendering the sword useless, God effectively disarms the king entirely. The stark imagery of a blunted sword and an inability to stand creates a powerful visual of utter defeat and humiliation, serving as a form of **Hyperbole** to underscore the completeness of the king's military collapse. Furthermore, the verse functions as a direct **Complaint** or **Lament**, characteristic of this section of the psalm, expressing profound distress and questioning God's actions in light of His covenant promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 89:43 grapples with the profound tension between God's unwavering covenant promises and the painful reality of human experience. It forces the reader to confront the mystery of divine sovereignty, particularly when God's actions seem to contradict His character or prior commitments. The verse asserts that even in defeat and humiliation, God is ultimately in control, actively orchestrating outcomes. This raises questions about the nature of the Davidic covenant—was it conditional on human obedience, or truly unconditional? The psalmist's lament highlights the human struggle to reconcile a God of faithfulness with the experience of suffering and apparent abandonment. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's ways are often inscrutable, and His purposes extend beyond immediate human understanding, even when they involve the humbling of His chosen instruments.

* [1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The Battle Belongs to the Lord")
* [Deuteronomy 28:25](/deuteronomy/28-25 "Deuteronomy 28:25 - Defeat as a Consequence of Disobedience")
* [Lamentations 3:37-38](/lamentations/3-37 "Lamentations 3:37-38 - God's Sovereignty Over All Things")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 89:43, though depicting a royal and national crisis, offers profound lessons for individual believers facing their own "battles" and perceived defeats. It validates the experience of lament, encouraging us to bring our honest questions, frustrations, and feelings of abandonment directly to God, even when His actions seem perplexing or contrary to our expectations of His promises. This verse reminds us that God's sovereignty extends over all circumstances, including our moments of weakness, failure, or spiritual struggle. When we feel our "swords" are blunted, our efforts ineffective, or our strength failing, it can be a divine invitation to cease relying on our own might and instead lean entirely on God's power. It challenges us to trust in His overarching plan, even when the immediate reality is one of defeat, knowing that His ultimate purposes are always good, and His faithfulness remains, even when ours falters.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have you felt like your "sword" was turned, or you were "not made to stand" in a particular challenge or spiritual battle?**
* **How does this verse challenge your understanding of God's sovereignty, especially in moments of personal or communal defeat?**
* **What does this psalm teach us about the importance of honest lament and questioning God in prayer, even when His actions are difficult to comprehend?**
* **How can acknowledging God's hand in perceived setbacks ultimately strengthen our faith and reliance on Him?**

### FAQ
**Does Psalms 89:43 imply God causes all defeats, or only those of His anointed?**

Answer: Psalms 89:43 specifically attributes the defeat of the Davidic king to God's direct action, "Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle." This highlights God's ultimate sovereignty over the outcomes of human endeavors, particularly concerning His covenant people and their leaders. While it doesn't explicitly state that God causes *all* defeats for *everyone*, it strongly asserts His prerogative to orchestrate such outcomes, especially when they serve His larger redemptive or disciplinary purposes. In the context of the Davidic covenant, such a defeat would be understood as a divine judgment or a profound test, forcing a re-evaluation of the relationship between God's promises and the people's faithfulness. Other scriptures also affirm God's control over battles, whether for victory or defeat, as seen in [Deuteronomy 28:25](/deuteronomy/28-25 "Deuteronomy 28:25 - Defeat as a Consequence of Disobedience") or [Judges 7:2](/judges/7-2 "Judges 7:2 - God's Role in Victory").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The lament of Psalms 89:43, with its portrayal of a Davidic king whose sword is turned and who cannot stand in battle, finds its ultimate and glorious resolution in Jesus Christ. While the earthly Davidic monarchy experienced periods of weakness, defeat, and eventual collapse, seemingly contradicting God's eternal covenant, Christ is the true and eternal Son of David whose kingdom will never end and whose "sword" of truth and judgment will never be turned away. The Davidic covenant, which appeared to fail in the face of human sin and historical circumstances, is perfectly fulfilled in Jesus, who is the King of kings whose throne is forever ([Hebrews 1:8](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8 - Christ's Throne is Forever")). Unlike the earthly king in Psalms 89:43, Jesus was "made to stand" in the ultimate battle against sin, death, and the powers of darkness, not by human might but by divine power, triumphing decisively over them on the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). His victory is eternal, and His reign is unshakeable, fulfilling the promises of an everlasting kingdom that no earthly power or divine judgment can undermine ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Jesus' Eternal Kingdom")). Indeed, from His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, a sword that is never blunted or turned away, signifying His ultimate and unchallengeable authority ([Revelation 19:15](/revelation/19-15 "Revelation 19:15 - The Sword from Christ's Mouth")).

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

Numbers 14:42

Go not up, for the LORD [is] not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies.

Joshua 7:8

O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies!

Joshua 7:12

Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, [but] turned [their] backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.

Ezekiel 30:21

Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword.

Ezekiel 30:25

But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt.

Joshua 7:4

So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.

Joshua 7:5

And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them [from] before the gate [even] unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.