Psalms 89:23

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 89:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And I will beat down his adversaries before him, And smite them that hate him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And I will beat down his adversaries before him, And smite them that hate him.
Psalms 89:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 89

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
23And I will beat down his adversaries before him, And smite them that hate him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And I will beat down his foes before his face, etc.] In Judea, and in the Gentile world; more especially in Rome Pagan, and Rome Papal; in the most public manner, before his Gospel, and the ministry of it by his servants; and they shall either submit unto it, or be broken to pieces as a potter’s vessel; for he must reign till all enemies are put under his feet, (<461525>1 Corinthians 15:25,26), and plague them that hate him; that would not have him to reign over them, the unbelieving Jews, and all the followers of antichrist; who are either plagued with the judgments of God here, or with everlasting punishment hereafter, with which they will be tormented for ever and ever, (<421914>Luke…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And I will beat down his foes before his face - I will crush them, or destroy them: showing that the power of doing this was not his own, but was the power of God exerted in his behalf. And plague them that hate him - His enemies. I will bring “plagues” upon them: calamities, judgments, afflictions. The word is commonly used to denote those judgments which come directly from the hand of God - as famine, pestilence, wasting sickness, the plague, or the “plagues” of Egypt. Exodus 12:13; Exodus 30:12; Numbers 8:19; Numbers 17:11-12. These are all in the hand of God, and can be employed at his pleasure, as storms and tempests may be, in executing his purposes. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I will: Sa2 3:1, Sa2 7:1, Sa2 7:9, Sa2 22:40-44 plague: Psa 2:1-6, Psa 21:8, Psa 21:9, 109:3-31, Psa 110:1, Psa 132:18; Luk 19:14, Luk 19:27; Joh 15:23 Psalms 89:24”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“What is promised in Psa 89:26 is a world-wide dominion, not merely dominion within the compass promised in the primeval times ( Gen 15:18; Ch2 9:26), in which case it ought to have been said ובנהר (of the Euphrates). Nor does the promise, however, sound so definite and boundless here as in Psa 72:8, but it is indefinite and universal, without any need for our asking what rivers are intended by נהרות. נתן יד בּ, like שׁלח (in Isa 11:14, of a giving and taking possession. With אף־אני (with retreated tone, as in Psa 119:63, Psa 119:125) God tells with what He will answer David's filial love. Him who is the latest-born among the sons of Jesse, God makes the first-born (בּכור from בּכר, to be…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification