Psalm 146 9

Psalm 146:9 kjv

The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

Psalm 146:9 nkjv

The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.

Psalm 146:9 niv

The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

Psalm 146:9 esv

The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

Psalm 146:9 nlt

The LORD protects the foreigners among us.
He cares for the orphans and widows,
but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.

Psalm 146 verses

Psalm 146 9 Meaning

Psalm 146:9 proclaims the Lord's enduring faithfulness and active role in upholding the vulnerable and marginalized, while simultaneously dismantling the schemes and paths of those who act wickedly. It highlights His righteous character as a protector and a dispenser of justice, demonstrating His care for the helpless and His opposition to ungodliness. This verse underscores that unlike fallible human rulers, the sovereign God consistently acts on behalf of those without power, ensuring justice prevails in His kingdom.

Psalm 146 9 Context

Psalm 146 is a Hallelujah Psalm, a psalm of praise that begins and ends with "Hallelujah" or "Praise the LORD!" The entire Psalm exhorts the worshipper to put their trust in God alone, in stark contrast to placing hope in human leaders or "princes" (vv. 3-4), who are fallible, mortal, and ultimately unable to save (v. 4). The Psalm extols God's eternal nature, His character as the Creator, and His unwavering faithfulness. Verse 9 specifically highlights how God manifests this faithfulness: by actively intervening in the social and moral order of the world. It provides concrete examples of God's justice, demonstrating His compassion for the most vulnerable members of society and His absolute opposition to the wicked, reinforcing why He, and not man, is worthy of ultimate trust and praise.

Psalm 146 9 Word analysis

• The LORD (YHWH, יְהוָה - Yahweh): The personal, covenantal name of God. Emphasizes God's sovereign, faithful, and active nature. This is the Creator God, not a mere idol or an inactive deity, but one who intervenes directly in human affairs.
• preserves (שֹׁמֵר - shōmēr): From the root shamar (שָׁמַר), meaning to guard, keep watch over, protect. It implies active, careful oversight and guardianship. The Lord is not passively allowing the sojourners to exist but is diligently watching over and protecting them.
• the sojourners (אֶת־גֵּרִים - ’et-gērîm): The gerim (plural of ger) were foreigners residing within Israelite territory, distinct from permanent residents or citizens. They were particularly vulnerable, often without land, family ties, or legal standing, reliant on the hospitality and justice of the host nation. God's special care for them is a profound demonstration of His universal justice and compassion beyond nationalistic boundaries.
• He uplifts (וַיְעוֹדֵד - wayĕ‘ôdēd): From the verb ‘udad (עוֹדֵד), meaning to sustain, to support, to strengthen, to cause to stand up. It implies an active raising from a state of lowliness or weakness to one of support, establishment, or even prosperity. This is more than mere protection; it is positive intervention to empower.
• the orphan (יָתוֹם - yātôm): Refers to the fatherless. In ancient Near Eastern societies, orphans were exceptionally vulnerable, as a father was the primary provider and protector. Their economic and social survival was precarious.
• and widow (וְאַלְמָנָה - wə’almānâ): Like the orphan, the widow was often left without means of support or legal protection in a patriarchal society, dependent on the benevolence of the community. Together with the sojourner and orphan, they form a classic trio representing society's most defenseless.
• but the way of the wicked (וְדֶרֶךְ רְשָׁעִים - wədereḵ rĕšā‘îm):
  • way (dereḵ, דֶּרֶךְ): More than just a path, it refers to one's conduct, course of life, lifestyle, or entire plan of action.
  • wicked (rĕšā‘îm, רְשָׁעִים): Refers to those who are guilty, wrongdoers, or those living contrary to God's standards and laws. They are characterized by oppression, injustice, and defiance of divine righteousness.
• He subverts (יְעַוֵּת - yə‘awwēt): From the root ‘āwat (עִוָּה), meaning to bend, make crooked, distort, overthrow, pervert, ruin. It signifies active undermining, leading to ruin or failure. God does not merely observe; He actively interferes to thwart and dismantle the intentions and plans of the wicked, causing their efforts to become twisted and come to nothing.

Words-Group Analysis

• "The LORD preserves the sojourners; He uplifts the orphan and widow": This phrase encapsulates God's protective and proactive compassion for the three most socially and economically vulnerable groups in ancient society. It showcases His nature as a defender of justice and the disadvantaged, directly counteracting the societal neglect or exploitation these groups often faced. This demonstrates a key characteristic of YHWH unlike pagan deities, who were often indifferent or demanded propitiation from the weak.
• "but the way of the wicked He subverts": This directly contrasts God's care for the weak with His opposition to evil. The "way" (conduct/life path) of the wicked, characterized by self-interest and injustice, is actively interfered with and brought to ruin by God. This asserts divine judgment and intervention in moral affairs, ensuring that wickedness does not ultimately triumph. It speaks to God's providential control over outcomes.

Psalm 146 9 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "uplifts" (y‘ôdēd) carries a powerful sense of re-establishment, suggesting that God doesn't merely prevent these vulnerable groups from falling further, but actively raises them up to a position of strength or dignity. This is a proactive rather than merely reactive stance. The tripartite categorization of the sojourner, orphan, and widow appears frequently in the Law (e.g., Exod 22:22, Deut 10:18, 27:19) and prophetic books, emphasizing that God's people were uniquely commanded to show special care for these groups, reflecting His own character. This implies that neglect of these groups by Israel was seen as a direct offense against God's nature and covenantal demands. The subversion of the wicked's way implies divine interference in the natural course of events. It is not just that the wicked will naturally fail, but that God actively ensures their downfall. This includes both overt judgment and subtle re-ordering of circumstances.

Psalm 146 9 Commentary

Psalm 146:9 succinctly encapsulates God's active involvement in the moral order of His creation. It stands as a testament to His unique character, sharply distinguishing Him from human rulers or lifeless idols. While princes and earthly powers may falter or oppress, God acts consistently to defend those without power—the sojourner, orphan, and widow. These groups symbolize not just specific individuals, but all who are helpless, marginalized, and vulnerable to exploitation. God's "preserving" and "uplifting" are active verbs signifying His personal and direct intervention to provide protection, support, and restoration. This is a profound affirmation of God's compassion and commitment to social justice.

In powerful antithesis, the verse states that God "subverts" the way of the wicked. This means He actively frustrates, distorts, and brings to naught the plans, schemes, and entire life-course of those who oppose His righteousness. Their paths, often paved with injustice and self-serving ambition, are supernaturally derailed. This twin declaration reveals God's perfect justice: He is both a loving protector and a righteous judge, a source of hope for the oppressed and a warning for the oppressor. It calls believers to trust fully in His active governance and to mirror His care for the vulnerable, knowing that true prosperity aligns with His righteous will.

Examples for practical usage:

• Encouragement: A person experiencing injustice or feeling vulnerable can find hope that God sees their plight and is actively involved in their defense.
• Motivation for service: Believers are called to imitate God's heart for the "sojourners, orphans, and widows" by engaging in ministries of mercy and justice for the vulnerable in their own communities.
• Confidence in divine justice: Despite apparent successes of the wicked, this verse reminds us that God is ultimately in control and their paths will not stand.