Psalms 89:43

43 Thou hast turned away the help of his sword; and thou helpedest not him in battle. (Thou hast turned away the help from his sword; and thou hast not helped him in the battle.)

Psalms 89:43 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 89:43

Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword
Or the "sharpness" F1 of it blunted it, so that it could do no execution: the disciples of Christ were not allowed the use of the temporal sword to defend their master; and his house, his kingdom, not being of this world, ( Matthew 26:51 Matthew 26:52 ) ( John 18:36 ) , other weapons were put into their hands; the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; and the edge of this was blunted, with respect to the Jews, being of little or no efficacy among them; it was turned off by them, and put away from them; but then it was turned towards the Gentiles, and was powerful and effectual among them; Christ girt it on his thigh, and rode forth in his glory and majesty, conquering, and to conquer, and by it subdued many, who fell under him, and gave up themselves unto him; see ( Ephesians 6:17 ) ( Hebrews 4:12 ) ( Psalms 45:3-5 ) , and ere long, with the twoedged sword, which proceeds out of his mouth, will he smite the antichristian nations; and the remnant of those that escape at the battle of Armageddon shall be slain with it, ( Revelation 19:15 Revelation 19:21 ) ,

and hast not made him to stand in the battle;
but to fall in it, being delivered up into the hands of wicked men, of justice, and death; and yet, by dying, he put away sin, finished it, made an end of it, and destroyed it; he conquered Satan, and led him captive; overcame the world, the spite and malice of it, and its prince; and abolished death itself.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 (rwu) "acumen", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Psalms 89:43 In-Context

41 All men passing by the way ravished him; he is made (a) shame to his neighbours. (All who pass by him, on the way, rob him; he is shamed by his neighbours.)
42 Thou hast enhanced the right hand of men oppressing him; thou hast gladdened all his enemies.
43 Thou hast turned away the help of his sword; and thou helpedest not him in battle. (Thou hast turned away the help from his sword; and thou hast not helped him in the battle.)
44 Thou destroyedest him from cleansing; and thou hast hurled down his seat in earth. (Thou hast destroyed his purity; and thou hast thrown down his throne to the ground.)
45 Thou hast made less the days of his time; thou hast beshed him with shame. (Thou hast lessened the days of his time; thou hast covered him with shame.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.