Psalms 146:9
The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֤ה׀
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה׀
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
שֹׁ֘מֵ֤ר
preserveth
H8104
שֹׁ֘מֵ֤ר
preserveth
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
גֵּרִ֗ים
the strangers
H1616
גֵּרִ֗ים
the strangers
Strong's:
H1616
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
יְעוֹדֵ֑ד
he relieveth
H5749
יְעוֹדֵ֑ד
he relieveth
Strong's:
H5749
Word #:
7 of 10
to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)
וְדֶ֖רֶךְ
but the way
H1870
וְדֶ֖רֶךְ
but the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
8 of 10
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Cross References
Psalms 68:5A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.Psalms 147:6The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.Proverbs 15:25The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.Jeremiah 49:11Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.Malachi 3:5And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
Historical Context
Mosaic Law commanded special protection for strangers, orphans, and widows (Exodus 22:21-24, Deuteronomy 10:18, 24:17-21), threatening divine wrath on oppressors. Prophets condemned Israel's failure to care for the vulnerable (Isaiah 1:17, Jeremiah 7:6, Zechariah 7:10). This verse celebrates God's faithfulness to His own commands.
Questions for Reflection
- How should God's care for strangers, orphans, and widows shape the church's ministry priorities?
- What modern equivalents to 'strangers, orphans, and widows' should receive special Christian compassion?
- How can believers trust God to overturn the wicked's way when they seem to prosper indefinitely?
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. God's special care for society's most vulnerable—shomer gerim (שֹׁמֵר גֵּרִים) "guards strangers/sojourners"—those without tribal protection or land rights. Yatom ve'almanah (יָתוֹם וְאַלְמָנָה) "orphan and widow" were defenseless without male protectors. God personally defends those humans neglect or exploit.
The way of the wicked he turneth upside down (vĕderek rĕsha'im ye'avvet, וְדֶרֶךְ רְשָׁעִים יְעַוֵּת)—avat (עָוַת) means to twist, pervert, overturn. God actively opposes the wicked's path, ensuring their schemes fail. This judicial reversal anticipates Mary's Magnificat, where God casts down the mighty and exalts the humble (Luke 1:52-53).