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Psalm 89:42
You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries. You have made all of his enemies rejoice.
40You have broken down all his hedges. You have brought his strongholds to ruin.
41All who pass by the way rob him. He has become a reproach to his neighbors.
42You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries. You have made all of his enemies rejoice.
43Yes, you turn back the edge of his sword, and haven’t supported him in battle.
44You have ended his splendor, and thrown his throne down to the ground.
Notice
The enemies’ joy makes the king’s defeat harder to bear, while the repeated “You have” directs the whole complaint toward God.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What do you find hardest to reckon with in the repeated words “You have”?
Write on thisWhat would you want to say to God when another person celebrates someone’s ruin?
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Where else Scripture says this
10 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Lamentations 2:17The LORD has done that which he planned. He has fulfilled his word that he commanded in the days of old. He has thrown down, and has not pitied. He has caused …Both passages name God as the one who has exalted adversaries and caused enemies to rejoice.
Revelation 11:10Those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, and they will be glad. They will give gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who …Both describe hostile rejoicing: the king’s enemies celebrate in the psalm, and earth’s inhabitants celebrate over the two prophets in Revelation.
Psalm 80:6You make us a source of contention to our neighbors. Our enemies laugh among themselves.Both prayers address God about humiliation, with enemies laughing or rejoicing over those brought low.
Leviticus 26:17I will set my face against you, and you will be struck before your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you; and you will flee when no one pursues you.Both passages attribute the enemies’ advantage to God’s action, with those who oppose his people gaining power over them.
Psalm 13:2How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over me?Both psalms bring an enemy’s triumph before God, though Psalm 13 asks how long it will last.
Deuteronomy 28:43The foreigner who is among you will mount up above you higher and higher, and you will come down lower and lower.Both describe others rising above those addressed or lamented, though Deuteronomy names a foreigner rather than rejoicing enemies.
Deuteronomy 28:25The LORD will cause you to be struck before your enemies. You will go out one way against them, and will flee seven ways before them. You will be tossed back …Both passages attribute defeat before enemies to God, with Deuteronomy describing the fleeing and scattering that follow.
Leviticus 26:25I will bring a sword upon you that will execute the vengeance of the covenant. You will be gathered together within your cities, and I will send the pestilence …Both describe God giving enemies the upper hand; Leviticus names covenant vengeance as the setting for that defeat.
John 16:20Most certainly I tell you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.Both describe others rejoicing amid suffering: the king’s enemies in the psalm, and the world while Jesus’ hearers weep.
Lamentations 1:5Her adversaries have become the head. Her enemies prosper; for the LORD has afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions. Her young children have gone …Both describe adversaries gaining ascendancy through God’s action; Lamentations also names transgressions as the reason for affliction.
Where this verse fits
Injustice and anger. doubt. feeling distant from God.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
The king’s defeat remains unresolved here. Yet the complaint still addresses God: even the enemies’ strength is under his rule, and bitter words remain part of this prayer.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).