Psalms 7:9

Authorized King James Version

Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

Word-by-Word Analysis

יִגְמָר

H1584

come to an end

to end (in the sense of completion or failure)

נָ֬א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

רַ֨ע׀

H7451

Oh let the wickedness

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

רְשָׁעִים֮

H7563

of the wicked

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

וּתְכוֹנֵ֪ן

H3559

but establish

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

צַדִּֽיק׃

H6662

for the righteous

just

וּבֹחֵ֣ן

H974

trieth

to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate

לִ֭בּ֗וֹת

H3826

the hearts

the heart

וּכְלָי֗וֹת

H3629

and reins

a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self)

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אֱלֹהִ֥ים

H430

God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

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צַדִּֽיק׃

H6662

for the righteous

just

Analysis

This verse develops the worship and praise theme central to Psalms. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the proper human response to God's character and works. The divine name or title here functions within worship literature expressing the full range of human experience before God to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on worship and praise particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does the worship and praise theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of worship and praise, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?