Psalms 86:9

Authorized King James Version

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All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

Original Language Analysis

כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 1 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גּוֹיִ֤ם׀ All nations H1471
גּוֹיִ֤ם׀ All nations
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 2 of 10
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 3 of 10
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשִׂ֗יתָ whom thou hast made H6213
עָשִׂ֗יתָ whom thou hast made
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 4 of 10
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
יָב֤וֹאוּ׀ shall come H935
יָב֤וֹאוּ׀ shall come
Strong's: H935
Word #: 5 of 10
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וְיִשְׁתַּחֲו֣וּ and worship H7812
וְיִשְׁתַּחֲו֣וּ and worship
Strong's: H7812
Word #: 6 of 10
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
לְפָנֶ֣יךָ before H6440
לְפָנֶ֣יךָ before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 7 of 10
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֲדֹנָ֑י thee O Lord H136
אֲדֹנָ֑י thee O Lord
Strong's: H136
Word #: 8 of 10
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
וִֽיכַבְּד֣וּ and shall glorify H3513
וִֽיכַבְּד֣וּ and shall glorify
Strong's: H3513
Word #: 9 of 10
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
לִשְׁמֶֽךָ׃ thy name H8034
לִשְׁמֶֽךָ׃ thy name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 10 of 10
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

Cross References

Revelation 15:4Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.Isaiah 66:23And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.Psalms 66:4All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.Psalms 102:15So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.Revelation 11:15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.Isaiah 43:7Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.Isaiah 59:19So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.Isaiah 11:9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.Psalms 72:19And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.Psalms 102:18This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.

Analysis & Commentary

All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. This prophetic vision of universal worship transitions from God's present incomparability (verse 8) to His future recognition by all peoples. The phrase all nations whom thou hast made emphasizes God's sovereignty as Creator over all peoples, not just Israel—His creative act establishes His claim to universal worship.

The verbs shall come and shall worship express confident futurity—David foresees inevitable recognition of Yahweh's supremacy by all peoples. Hishtachavah (הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה, worship) means to bow down or prostrate, indicating complete submission. This universal worship fulfills God's original promise to Abraham that "all nations on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:3).

The ultimate fulfillment appears in Revelation's vision: "All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed" (Revelation 15:4). Christ's Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) initiates this ingathering, as the gospel goes to all peoples. David's prayer anticipates the missionary expansion of the church and the eschatological consummation when every knee bows to Christ (Philippians 2:10-11).

Historical Context

This verse reflects developing Old Testament eschatology anticipating Gentile inclusion in worship of Israel's God. Isaiah, Micah, and Zechariah elaborate this vision of nations streaming to Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-4, 56:6-7; Micah 4:1-3; Zechariah 8:20-23). Jesus's ministry to Gentiles and the early church's mission to the nations began fulfilling this prophecy, with ultimate completion awaiting Christ's return when every nation acknowledges God's glory.

Questions for Reflection