What Does Psalm 109:6 Mean in the King James?

Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.

Psalm 109:6 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The Hebrew says “an adversary,” placing opposition at the person’s right hand, where support might be expected.

THE MEANING

This verse gives voice to a demand for judgment: an unjust ruler is placed over a person, and an adversary stands beside him. The right-hand place is not automatically protective; here, its occupant makes it a position of resistance.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The person at your right hand is not always your defender; here that place is occupied by an adversary.

THE ROOT

שָׂטָן

satan

GROWS FROM

שׂטן

śṭn

to oppose, act as an adversary, or accuse

Here ⁨שָׂטָן⁩ (satan, “an adversary”) appears without the Hebrew article, naming opposition rather than explicitly saying “the Adversary.” Its verbal branch means “to accuse him,” connecting the figure at the right hand with accusation.

ALSO GROWS

satan: adversary

שָׂטָן

This noun names the opposing figure the verse places at the person’s side.

lesitno: to accuse or oppose him

לְשִׂטְנוֹ

Zechariah uses this verbal form for the adversary’s action, showing that the root carries accusation as well as opposition.

הַפְקֵד

hafqed

GROWS FROM

פקד

paqad

to attend to, appoint, or muster

“Set” in this verse is hafqed. The verb ⁨פקד⁩ (paqad, “attend to, appoint, muster”) frames the line as an assignment of authority. An unjust ruler is appointed over him, and an adversary is placed beside him: opposition takes shape as an arrangement of power.

ALSO GROWS

paqad: to attend to, appoint, or muster

פָּקַד

This is the root behind the command “set,” showing that the position is assigned.

pequddah: charge, appointment, or oversight

פְּקֻדָּה

This related noun gives the root’s sense of an entrusted assignment or appointed charge.

THE PATTERN

The right-hand position is one of immediate influence: its occupant can oppose, steady, or rescue.

And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

Zechariah 3:1 · KJVThe adversary occupies the right-hand position to resist, making the closeness of opposition explicit.

For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul.

Psalm 109:31 · KJVThe same position becomes protection when the one standing there saves the poor from their accusers.

For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

Acts 2:25 · KJVThe presence at the right hand steadies the speaker rather than opposing him.

THE THREAD

And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

Zechariah 3:1 · KJV

Zechariah uses ⁨שָׂטָן⁩ (satan, “adversary”) and then ⁨לְשִׂטְנוֹ⁩ (lesitno, “to accuse him”), both from the root ⁨שׂטן⁩. That root connection reveals the figure at the right hand as an active opponent, not merely someone standing nearby.

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