What Does Psalm 21:8 Mean in the King James?
Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.
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 repeated “find” makes this a claim of encounter: no one opposing God is beyond the reach of the hand that comes upon them.
THE MEANING
Any hostility aimed at God is within God’s reach now. The same hand finds enemies and haters alike; neither distance nor concealment makes the opposition unanswerable. If you recognize yourself among those who hate God, this verse names you plainly too.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that an enemy can put themselves beyond God’s reach is undone: every one is found.
THE ROOT
תִּמְצָא
timtsa
GROWS FROM
מצא
To find, encounter, or come upon.
“find out” in this verse is timtsa. The Hebrew repeats the same verb for both “hand” and “right hand.” With the hand as subject, “finding” is more than identifying the enemies: it pictures the hand coming upon them.
ALSO GROWS
matsa chen: To encounter favor.
מָצָא חֵן
Genesis 6:8 uses the same verb when Noah finds favor with the LORD, showing that this root can name an encounter with favor as well as one with opposition.
bəhimmāṣəʾô: To be found or encountered.
בְּהִמָּצְאוֹ
Isaiah 55:6 uses this form for the LORD as one who may be found by the seeker; the same root describes God’s hand finding enemies here and the seeker finding the LORD there.
THE PATTERN
No place, opposition, or hidden thing lies beyond the reach and sight of God.
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.THE THREAD
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:The Hebrew verb translated “may be found” comes from the same root, מָצָא (matsa), repeated here for God’s hand finding enemies. The root holds both encounters together: hostility meets God’s hand, while the seeker finds the LORD near.
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