Psalms 92:6
A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.
Original Language Analysis
אִֽישׁ
man
H376
אִֽישׁ
man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
1 of 9
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בַּ֭עַר
A brutish
H1198
בַּ֭עַר
A brutish
Strong's:
H1198
Word #:
2 of 9
properly, foot (as consumed); i.e., (by exten.) of cattle brutishness; (concretely) stupid
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵדָ֑ע
knoweth
H3045
יֵדָ֑ע
knoweth
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
4 of 9
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וּ֝כְסִ֗יל
not neither doth a fool
H3684
וּ֝כְסִ֗יל
not neither doth a fool
Strong's:
H3684
Word #:
5 of 9
properly, fat, i.e., (figuratively) stupid or silly
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָבִ֥ין
understand
H995
יָבִ֥ין
understand
Strong's:
H995
Word #:
7 of 9
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
Cross References
Psalms 73:22So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.Psalms 94:8Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?Psalms 49:10For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.Proverbs 1:22How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?Jeremiah 10:14Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.1 Corinthians 2:14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.Isaiah 1:3The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.Psalms 14:1The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.Psalms 32:9Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.Proverbs 30:2Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.
Historical Context
Ancient Israel was surrounded by nature worship that saw power in creation but missed the Creator. The psalmist confronts such shallow thinking.
Questions for Reflection
- What prevents people today from recognizing God's wisdom displayed in creation?
- How can you cultivate spiritual discernment to perceive God's 'deep thoughts' in everyday circumstances?
Analysis & Commentary
The contrast between the senseless (ba'ar—brutish, like cattle) man and deep thoughts (makhshavot—purposes/plans) of God highlights the spiritual blindness that prevents seeing divine wisdom in creation. This is not mere intellectual limitation but willful ignorance. The 'fool' (kesil) lacks spiritual discernment, unable to perceive God's hand in the world. This aligns with Paul's teaching in Romans 1:20 about inexcusable rejection of natural revelation.