Psalm 9:20

Translations

Modern

Lay terror upon them, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Selah

Traditional

Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

Literal

Put fear on them, O YHWH; let the nations know they are mortal. Selah

Latin

Constitue, Domine, legislatorem super eos, ut sciant gentes quoniam homines sunt.

Original

Hebrew

English

Lay terror upon them, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Selah

Notes

Psalms 9:19–20

The psalmist concludes his lament by asking God to act on his behalf. He prays for the Lord’s intervention against those who do wrong. This includes a request for divine vengeance (God’s just punishment of evildoers). The psalmist trusts that only God can bring true justice.
but men: People who gain power and honor can become oppressive and assume glory for themselves (see Psalm 8:4; 10:18).

Psalms 9:1–10:18

This hymn celebrates the Lord's rule and triumph over evil. It may also respond to the laments in Psalms 3–7.

Some believe that Psalms 9 and 10 should be read together as one psalm in two parts. This is because Psalm 9 has a title, while Psalm 10 does not.

Despite some missing or inverted letters, the two psalms form an acrostic of the Hebrew alphabet. This means that each line or section begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Other alphabetic acrostics include Psalms 25, 34, 37, 111–112, 119, and 145.

The ancient Greek and Latin translations treat Psalms 9 and 10 as one psalm.

Theme notes and profiles

David Praise Psalms Prayers for Vengeance

Related verses

Isaiah 31:3
But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together.
Psalm 62:9
Lowborn men are but a vapor; the exalted are but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor.
Jeremiah 32:40
I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never turn away from doing good to them, and I will put My fear in their hearts, so that they will never turn away from Me.
Psalm 82:6–7
I have said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.’
Deuteronomy 2:25
This very day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon all the nations under heaven. They will hear the reports of you and tremble in anguish because of you.”
Psalm 76:12
He breaks the spirits of princes; He is feared by the kings of the earth.
Acts 12:22–23
And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!”
Ezekiel 30:13
This is what the Lord GOD says: I will destroy the idols and put an end to the images in Memphis. There will no longer be a prince in Egypt, and I will instill fear in that land.
Exodus 23:27
I will send My terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn and run.
Ezekiel 28:9
Will you still say, ‘I am a god,’ in the presence of those who slay you? You will be only a man, not a god, in the hands of those who wound you.
Ezekiel 28:2
“Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that this is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.’ Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god.
Exodus 15:16
…and terror and dread will fall on them. By the power of Your arm they will be as still as a stone until Your people pass by, O LORD, until the people You have bought pass by.

People

Selah: A musical or liturgical term of uncertain meaning

Glossary

Acrostic David Music Poetry, Biblical Psalms, Book of

Topics

Gentiles: Called: Nations Judgments: Design of Prayer: Imprecatory Prayer: Pleas offered In Pride: General Scriptures Concerning Religious Zeal: Exemplified

Psalm 9:20

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