Psalm 7 9

Psalm 7:9 kjv

Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

Psalm 7:9 nkjv

Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But establish the just; For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.

Psalm 7:9 niv

Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure? you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts.

Psalm 7:9 esv

Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous ? you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God!

Psalm 7:9 nlt

End the evil of those who are wicked,
and defend the righteous.
For you look deep within the mind and heart,
O righteous God.

Psalm 7 verses

Psalm 7 9 Meaning

Psalm 7:9 is a fervent plea to God, acknowledging His righteous character as the ultimate judge who sees beyond external appearances into the deepest intentions of the human heart and mind. The psalmist desires that the destructive power of wickedness be brought to a complete halt, and concurrently, that the upright be firmly established. This petition reflects a deep trust in God’s justice to accurately discern and perfectly adjudicate between the wicked and the righteous, ensuring that divine judgment leads to the termination of evil and the security of the just.

Psalm 7 9 Context

Psalm 7 is a deeply personal lament and appeal to God, marked by King David's declaration of innocence and his earnest prayer for divine intervention against an enemy (Cush the Benjamite, mentioned in the superscription, who perhaps accused David falsely, potentially during Saul's reign or the rebellion of Absalom). The psalm transitions from a plea for deliverance (vv. 1-2) and a vehement affirmation of David’s blamelessness concerning the specific accusation (vv. 3-5), to an urgent cry for God to arise and execute justice (vv. 6-8). Psalm 7:9 comes at a crucial point where David, having affirmed his own integrity and appealed for God's judgment based on that, articulates his foundational trust in God's ability to discern truth and justly resolve the conflict by ending evil and upholding righteousness. It is a universal appeal for the restoration of divine order and justice in a world often swayed by falsehood and malice.

Psalm 7 9 Word analysis

• Let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end,:

  • "Let the wickedness": rāʿaṯ (רָעַת), the construct form of ra'a meaning "evil," "wickedness," "calamity." It denotes not merely the state of being evil but active malicious behavior, plotting, and actions.
  • "of the wicked": rāšāʿ (רָשָׁע), referring to the unrighteous, the morally guilty, often those who violate divine law and inflict harm. The repetition of the root emphasizes the nature of the acts and the perpetrators. The prayer is not for the person's demise but for the cessation of their harmful, wicked actions, though this cessation may imply their destruction if they persist in wickedness.
  • "come to an end": kāleth (כָּלָה), a verbal root meaning "to complete," "finish," "consume," "annihilate," "bring to an end." It implies a decisive, thorough termination. The psalmist desires that evil be utterly destroyed and have no more power or effect, not just temporarily cease. This reflects an eschatological hope for final justice.

• but establish the righteous,:

  • "but establish": wəḵōnen (וְכוֹנֵן), from the root kûn, meaning "to establish," "prepare," "confirm," "make firm," "secure." It speaks of stability, permanence, and being set in a firm, unshakeable position. It contrasts directly with the desired termination of the wicked.
  • "the righteous": ṣaddîq (צַדִּיק), the morally upright, the just, those in right relationship with God and humanity, characterized by integrity and conformity to God's will. The establishment of the righteous implies their vindication, security, and flourishing.

• for the righteous God tests the hearts and minds (or kidneys).:

  • "for": wā (וָ), "and" or "for," here serving as a conjunction introducing the reason or basis for the preceding petition. The justification for the plea is God's intrinsic nature and action.
  • "the righteous God": ʾĕlōhîm ṣaddîq (אֱלֹהִים צַדִּיק), explicitly identifies God by His essential characteristic – His righteousness. This reinforces the trust that His judgment will be impartial and true. He cannot do wrong.
  • "tests": bōḥēn (בֹּחֵן), a present participle from bāḥan, meaning "to test," "examine," "try," "prove." It implies a thorough, discerning scrutiny, like refining metal to purify it or assaying something to determine its quality. This indicates God's intimate, active knowledge of inner motives. This contrasts with human judges who can only assess outward actions.
  • "the hearts": libbōṯ (לִבּוֹת), plural of lēḇ (לֵב), "heart." In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is the seat of intellect, will, emotions, and moral character—the entire inner being, thoughts, intentions, and understanding. God sees beyond outward appearances into one's true nature.
  • "and minds (or kidneys)": ūḵəlayōṯ (וּכְלָיוֹת), plural of kilyāh (כִּלְיָה), "kidney" or "reins." This organ, along with the heart, was considered in ancient Hebrew physiology as the seat of deep emotions, conscience, secret thoughts, and the most private affections or feelings. It represents the innermost, most concealed parts of a person. This phrase (hearts and kidneys) is a powerful merism, emphasizing God's perfect, complete, and exhaustive knowledge of every aspect of a person's inner being, motives, and character. This knowledge forms the infallible basis of His righteous judgment. This also serves as a polemic against the limitations of human judges or pagan deities.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous": This phrase encapsulates the core petition of the psalm—a divine judgment that brings about a reversal of fortunes. It calls for the decisive eradication of evil forces and their influence, paired with the enduring security and vindication of those who align with God's ways. It expresses hope for cosmic justice where the balance is fully restored.
  • "for the righteous God tests the hearts and minds (or kidneys)": This serves as the theological bedrock and justification for the entire prayer. The psalmist trusts that God can and will execute perfect justice because He possesses a unique, unchallengeable capacity to know the innermost truths of every individual. This divine omniscience regarding the true moral condition and intentions of people is what guarantees the righteousness of His verdicts, distinguishing Him from any human or false god.

Psalm 7 9 Bonus section

The concept of God "testing" is not solely about examination for judgment, but also often about purification and refinement for those He intends to use or establish. For the righteous, God’s testing can be a refining fire (Prov 17:3, Job 23:10), leading to stronger faith and proven character. This dual aspect of divine scrutiny – judgment for the wicked and purification for the righteous – highlights the active, involved nature of God's justice. Furthermore, the psalmist's prayer is a deeply spiritual one, acknowledging that true change and justice originate not from human power or judicial systems alone, but from the sovereign action of a God who perfectly discerns moral truth. This points towards the New Covenant truth that true righteousness is not external conformity but an inward transformation by the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 7 9 Commentary

Psalm 7:9 is a cornerstone declaration of God's character as the ultimate and righteous Judge. The psalmist’s fervent plea for the end of wickedness and the establishment of the righteous is predicated entirely upon God’s perfect knowledge and justice. Unlike human judges who are limited to external evidence, God "tests the hearts and minds." This refers to His complete, infallible penetration into the innermost thoughts, motives, and secret desires—the very essence of one's being. The phrase "hearts and kidneys" is a Hebrew idiom underscoring this comprehensive insight. This verse offers immense comfort to the oppressed and falsely accused, assuring them that God knows their true motives and the hidden malevolence of their adversaries. Simultaneously, it serves as a stern warning to the wicked, highlighting that their concealed intentions and dark plots are fully transparent to the divine scrutinizer, and justice, though it may seem delayed, will certainly come to a perfect culmination, either through their repentance or their utter downfall.