The Meaning of Psalms 89:32 Explained

Psalms 89:32

KJV: Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.

YLT: I have looked after with a rod their transgression, And with strokes their iniquity,

Darby: Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.

ASV: Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Then will I visit  their transgression  with the rod,  and their iniquity  with stripes. 

What does Psalms 89:32 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 89:32 mean?

And I will punish with the rod their transgression and with stripes their iniquity
וּפָקַדְתִּ֣י בְשֵׁ֣בֶט פִּשְׁעָ֑ם וּבִנְגָעִ֥ים עֲוֺנָֽם

וּפָקַדְתִּ֣י  And  I  will  punish 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, first person common singular
Root: פָּקַד 
Sense: to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for.
בְשֵׁ֣בֶט  with  the  rod 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: שֵׁבֶט  
Sense: rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe.
פִּשְׁעָ֑ם  their  transgression 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: פֶּשַׁע  
Sense: transgression, rebellion.
וּבִנְגָעִ֥ים  and  with  stripes 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Noun, masculine plural
Root: נֶגַע  
Sense: stroke, plague, disease, mark, plague spot.
עֲוֺנָֽם  their  iniquity 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: עָוֹן  
Sense: perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity.