Psalm 89:40

40 Thou destroyedest all the hedges thereof; thou hast set the steadfastness thereof (into) dread (thou hast brought his strongholds, or his fortresses, into ruin).

Psalm 89:40 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 89:40

Thou hast broken down all his hedges
Round about his vine, the church; see ( Psalms 80:12 ) . A famous church was raised at Jerusalem, quickly after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, which seemed to be well filled, fenced, and protected; but on a sudden a violent persecution arose, and the members of it were made havoc of, and the ministers of the word were scattered abroad, and which was the breaking down of the hedges; and what was done to the church was taken by Christ as done to himself, as it is here spoken of him; see ( Acts 8:1-4 ) ( 9:5 ) , and this might seem contrary to the word and oath of God, that his seed should endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven, ( Psalms 89:29 Psalms 89:36 ) , when the first Christian church was used in this manner; but that providence was overruled, for the spread of the Gospel, and the interest of Christ, in other parts; see ( Acts 8:4 ) ( 11:19-21 ) , and so no objection to what is before said:

thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin;
the same as before, the church of Christ, which seemed to be so well built and fortified; see ( Isaiah 26:1 ) .

Psalm 89:40 In-Context

38 But thou hast put away, and despised; and hast delayed thy christ. (But thou hast rejected, and despised, and hast raged against thy anointed king.)

39 Thou hast turned away the testament of thy servant; thou madest unholy his saintuary in earth. (Thou hast made void the covenant with thy servant; thou hast defiled his crown, and hast thrown it to the ground.)

40 Thou destroyedest all the hedges thereof; thou hast set the steadfastness thereof (into) dread (thou hast brought his strongholds, or his fortresses, into ruin).

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.