The Meaning of Psalms 89:22 Explained

Psalms 89:22

KJV: The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.

YLT: An enemy exacteth not upon him, And a son of perverseness afflicteth him not.

Darby: No enemy shall exact upon him, nor the son of wickedness afflict him;

ASV: The enemy shall not exact from him, Nor the son of wickedness afflict him.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The enemy  shall not exact  upon him; nor the son  of wickedness  afflict  him. 

What does Psalms 89:22 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 89:19-37 - The Covenant With David
In this section the psalmist draws put, in detail, the fundamental prophecy by Nathan already mentioned; first, in the promises given to David, Psalms 89:19-27; and second, in those relating to his descendants, Psalms 89:28-37.
David's origin was very humble. His dignity and power were all of God. But our Father never sets a man in any position and fails to supply the gifts needed for it. When He chooses, He anoints, strengthens, and protects. Victory also is granted over the man's enemies, because God's faithfulness and mercy are beside him, Psalms 89:24. The relationship between the soul and God is very intimate; on the one hand you have Psalms 89:26; and on the other Psalms 89:27.
What a precious promise is Psalms 89:28! From this point the psalmist turns to expand the promises to David's line. They may be chastened, but not permanently rejected. In Psalms 89:33 the twin attributes of mercy and faithfulness are again blended as the ground of hope of sinful and unworthy men. God's word, once spoken, is inviolable. He is bound by His oath. Sin cannot alter His promise or the obligations under which He has laid Himself. His unchangeableness is a bed-rock upon which we may build with certitude. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 89

1  The psalmist praises God for his covenant
5  For his wonderful power
15  For the care of his church
19  For his favor to the kingdom of David
38  Then complaining of contrary events
46  He expostulates, prays, and blesses God

What do the individual words in Psalms 89:22 mean?

Not shall outwit the enemy him and the son of wickedness nor afflict him
לֹֽא־ יַשִּׁ֣א אוֹיֵ֣ב בּ֑וֹ וּבֶן־ עַ֝וְלָ֗ה לֹ֣א יְעַנֶּֽנּוּ

יַשִּׁ֣א  shall  outwit 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָשָׁא 
Sense: to lend on interest or usury, be a creditor.
אוֹיֵ֣ב  the  enemy 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: אֹיֵב  
Sense: (Qal) enemy.
וּבֶן־  and  the  son 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
עַ֝וְלָ֗ה  of  wickedness 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: עָוֶל 
Sense: injustice, unrighteousness, wrong.
לֹ֣א  nor 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יְעַנֶּֽנּוּ  afflict  him 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: עָנָה 
Sense: (Qal) to be occupied, be busied with.