Bible Strands
Psalms 89:23
I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God speaks to the Davidic king, positioned between the promise that no enemy will exact tribute (v. 22) and the assurance that divine faithfulness will exalt his authority (v. 24).
The words — כַּתּוֹתִי (kha.to.Ti) translates literally as "I will crush," and אֶגּוֹף ('e.Gof) means "I will strike down," both verbs emphasizing God's direct action against opposition.
The thread — The pattern of God removing adversaries before the king runs through 2 Samuel 7:9, 2 Samuel 22:40, and 2 Samuel 3:1.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to attribute military success and political stability solely to divine intervention rather than human strategy, demanding reliance on God's promised protection for the anointed ruler.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 7:9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like that of the greatest in the land.
- 2 Samuel 22:40 You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me.
- 2 Samuel 3:1 Now the war between the house of Saul and the house of David was protracted. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.
- 2 Samuel 7:1 After the king had settled into his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him,
- Psalms 18:40 You have made my enemies retreat before me; I destroyed those who hated me.
- Psalms 21:8 Your hand will apprehend all Your enemies; Your right hand will seize those who hate You.
- Psalms 132:18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown upon him will gleam.”
- John 15:23 Whoever hates Me hates My Father as well.
- Psalms 2:1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
- Psalms 109:3 They surround me with hateful words and attack me without cause.