Psalms 9:10
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The concept of "knowing God's name" was central to Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. At the burning bush, Moses asked God's name (Exodus 3:13-14), and God revealed Himself as "I AM THAT I AM"—the self-existent, covenant-keeping God. Later, God proclaimed His name to Moses: "The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth" (Exodus 34:6-7). This self-revelation became foundational to Israel's knowledge of God.
Throughout Israel's history, God demonstrated that He does not forsake those who seek Him. He preserved Noah through the flood, called Abraham and fulfilled His promises, delivered Israel from Egypt, sustained them in the wilderness, gave them the land, and raised up deliverers when they cried out. This consistent pattern of faithfulness validated trust in Him.
The prophets continually called Israel back to seeking God, promising that those who seek will find (Jeremiah 29:13). Jesus later affirmed this principle: "seek, and ye shall find" (Matthew 7:7). The New Testament expands the promise: God will never leave nor forsake His people (Hebrews 13:5), and nothing can separate believers from His love (Romans 8:38-39).
Questions for Reflection
- What is the difference between knowing about God and knowing God's name in the biblical sense?
- How does experiential knowledge of God's character produce trust rather than mere intellectual assent?
- What does it mean to 'seek' God, and how is this different from passive belief?
- How does God's track record of never forsaking those who seek Him function as the foundation for trust?
Analysis & Commentary
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. This verse reveals the relationship between knowing God and trusting God. David establishes a causal connection: those who know God's name will trust Him, because His track record demonstrates faithfulness to those who seek Him.
"They that know thy name" (veyivtechu vekha yode'ei shemekha, וְיִבְטְחוּ בְךָ יוֹדְעֵי שְׁמֶךָ) employs yada (to know) in the intimate, experiential sense—not mere intellectual awareness but personal relationship and deep familiarity. God's "name" represents His revealed character, His reputation, His self-disclosure. To know God's name means to understand who He truly is—His attributes, His ways, His covenant commitments. This knowledge comes through revelation, experience, and relationship.
"Will put their trust" (yivtechu, יִבְטְחוּ) uses batach, meaning to trust, be confident, feel secure. This is not wishful thinking or blind faith but confidence grounded in knowledge. The future tense suggests inevitable result: knowledge of God's character necessarily produces trust. Those who truly know Him cannot help but trust Him—His character compels confidence.
"Thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee" (ki lo-azavta dorsheikha Yahweh, כִּי לֹא־עָזַבְתָּ דֹרְשֶׁיךָ יְהוָה) provides the theological foundation for trust. Azav means to leave, abandon, forsake, or desert. God has never abandoned those who seek Him. "Them that seek thee" (dorsheikha, דֹּרְשֶׁיךָ) uses darash, meaning to seek, inquire, require, or pursue. Those who actively pursue God, who seek His face and His will, discover that He never forsakes them. His perfect track record justifies complete trust.
The verse establishes a profound principle: knowledge precedes trust, and God's faithfulness warrants both. This is not circular reasoning but the logic of relationship—those who know God through experience testify to His faithfulness, which encourages others to trust Him.