Psalm 21 (20):9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

May Your hand be evident to all those who oppose You. O King, may You be empowered as You arrive to judge, revealing Yourself to those who have overlooked Your suffering. Let Your right hand locate all those who harbor hatred towards You (Psalm 20:8). On the day of judgment, may the glory with which You reign at the right hand of the Father bring about the punishment of all who reject You; they have not yet encountered that glory.

This message is directed as though spoken to the Lord due to the actions of the Jewish people against Him. Yet, He declares His intent to find those who have sinned. If the love of God is truly realized in those who abide by His commandments, it is clear that those who do not follow the commandments reject God, and they are referred to as lost.

Simmah articulates this more explicitly: ‘Thy hand shall search out all Thy enemies, Thy right hand shall find all them that hate Thee’. This closely relates to what came before. The king found valid encouragement in placing his hope in Thee, fully aware that Thy right hand possesses the power to defeat all foes. Through the terms ‘right hand’ and ‘hand,’ the Prophet once more highlights the effectiveness of God.

The strength of God represents His might, which David invokes, asking that all who speak against God may be brought low by it. Let Your power, O Lord, manifest itself, meaning, send judgment upon all Your foes; and let Your right hand reach out, signifying the ability to grasp and help all who oppose You to comprehend their folly.

The Hand of the Crucified In this passage, the Father speaks to the Son, proclaiming: Your hand will confront all Your adversaries; Your right hand—the very hand that was pierced by the nail on the cross—will reach those who despise You.

They are referred to as adversaries as long as they yield to the temptations of the devil. However, if they turn back to Christ our Lord, they will be recognized as servants, friends, and children of God.

Until now, the internal flourishing of the kingdom has been portrayed; however, here we see the undeniable strength against external foes being introduced, suggesting that the king of Israel will emerge victorious over all adversaries. This additional aspect is not without purpose for those previously mentioned. It would be insufficient for the kingdom to experience peace, wealth, and various blessings internally while remaining vulnerable to the aggression of enemies externally; there is a necessity for it to be adequately shielded from outside threats. This is particularly suitable for the kingdom of Christ, which is engaged in conflict with its adversaries both openly and behind the scenes, yet it remains unwavering. Our King, who secures the protection of the faithful, reigns supreme.

The presence of God is embodied in Christ and the essence of the Gospel, which brings all transgressors to a change of heart; the right hand symbolizes the strength of Christ’s divine nature and the sovereignty that will dispense justice at the End of Days, rewarding each individual based on their actions.