Psalms 9:20
Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֨ה׀
O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֨ה׀
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יֵדְע֥וּ
may know
H3045
יֵדְע֥וּ
may know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
5 of 9
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
גוֹיִ֑ם
that the nations
H1471
גוֹיִ֑ם
that the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
6 of 9
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
Cross References
Isaiah 31:3Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.Psalms 62:9Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.Psalms 76:12He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.Jeremiah 32:40And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
Historical Context
Written during a period when surrounding nations threatened Israel with military might, forgetting their accountability to Israel's God.
Questions for Reflection
- How does modern culture deny human creatureliness and dependence?
- What practices help you maintain proper fear of the Lord?
Analysis & Commentary
David prays for the nations to remember their creatureliness. The Hebrew 'morah' (fear/terror) indicates holy reverence, not mere anxiety. This Reformed perspective affirms that acknowledging our humanity before God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) and necessary for salvation—we must know we are not God.