Psalm 76:9 kjv
When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.
Psalm 76:9 nkjv
When God arose to judgment, To deliver all the oppressed of the earth. Selah
Psalm 76:9 niv
when you, God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land.
Psalm 76:9 esv
when God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth. Selah
Psalm 76:9 nlt
You stand up to judge those who do evil, O God,
and to rescue the oppressed of the earth. Interlude
Psalm 76 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 3:7 | Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! | Prayer for God to act and save |
| Psa 12:5 | "Because the poor are plundered, because... I will now arise," says the LORD; "I will set... at ease." | God arises specifically for the oppressed |
| Psa 97:2 | Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation... | God's reign founded on justice |
| Isa 2:4 | He shall judge between the nations... | Prophecy of God's universal judgment |
| Mic 4:3 | He shall judge between many peoples, and decide disputes... | God's ultimate authority to judge nations |
| Exo 14:13 | And Moses said to the people, "Do not fear... salvation of the LORD..." | God's deliverance of His people |
| Isa 33:10 | "Now I will arise," says the LORD; "Now I will lift myself up; now I will be exalted!" | God declaring His moment of action |
| Zeph 2:3 | Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth, who have worked His justice; seek righteousness; seek humility... | Encouragement to seek meekness for protection |
| Psa 146:7-9 | who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free... | God as the protector and provider for the needy |
| Psa 37:11 | But the meek shall inherit the earth, and delight themselves in abundant peace. | Blessing for the meek |
| Matt 5:5 | Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. | Jesus' beatitude affirming the meek |
| Psa 10:17-18 | O LORD, you hear the desire of the humble... do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed... | God actively hearing and judging for the oppressed |
| Psa 72:4 | May he judge the poor of the people, save the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor. | Ideal ruler bringing justice for the poor |
| Isa 11:4 | But with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth... | Messiah's just judgment for the humble |
| Jas 2:5 | Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith... | God's favor for the poor/meek in faith |
| 1 Pet 5:6 | Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you... | Command to be humble before God |
| Isa 61:1 | The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor... | Christ's mission to the afflicted |
| Luke 1:52-53 | He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry... | God's reversal of fortunes |
| Rev 19:11 | Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges... | Christ's future return in judgment |
| 2 Thess 1:6-7 | ...since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you... | God's righteous recompense for the suffering righteous |
| Rom 12:19 | Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." | Trust in God's ultimate justice |
| Jer 22:3 | Thus says the LORD: Do justice and righteousness... deliver from the hand of the oppressor... | Divine command echoing God's character |
Psalm 76 verses
Psalm 76 9 Meaning
Psalm 76:9 declares a pivotal moment when God actively intervenes in human affairs through judgment to deliver and uphold the humble and afflicted. It speaks of divine action that results in salvation for those who are lowly and righteous in spirit, contrasting sharply with the proud and powerful. The verse encapsulates God's unwavering commitment to justice and His benevolent care for His covenant people, particularly the oppressed, bringing order and deliverance.
Psalm 76 9 Context
Psalm 76 is a psalm of praise, celebrating God's awesome power and protection, particularly evident in a great historical deliverance, most likely Sennacherib's defeat before Jerusalem (as recounted in Isa 37 and 2 Kings 19). The previous verses (76:4-6) speak of God's unmatched majesty and the defeat of the powerful warriors and their chariots by His rebuke. Verse 9 shifts the focus from what God did to why and for whom He acted: He rose to judge and save His humble people. It underscores that God’s justice is not merely punitive against His enemies, but also salvific for the meek, establishing righteousness on earth.
Psalm 76 9 Word analysis
- when God: This phrase highlights divine initiative and sovereign timing. It signals an anticipated or past moment of critical intervention.
- God (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim): The majestic plural form, signifying the singular supreme God of Israel, highlighting His comprehensive power and divine authority over all creation and nations. It emphasizes His role as the Creator and Judge.
- arose (קוּם - qum): To stand up, rise, arise for action. It conveys intentional, dynamic movement. Not merely passive observation but a decisive, powerful, and transformative intervention. This verb often indicates a response to injustice or a moment of powerful display of divine authority.
- to judgment (מִשְׁפָּט - mishpat): This is more than mere condemnation. It refers to a righteous verdict, the execution of justice, and setting things right. It encompasses both punitive judgment on the wicked and restorative judgment for the oppressed. God's judgment brings order to chaos and restores equity.
- to save (יָשַׁע - yasha): To deliver, help, bring salvation, liberate. This is the act of bringing relief, protection, and wholeness. It is deliverance from distress, oppression, or danger. It implies God's benevolent action on behalf of those in need.
- all (כֹּל - kol): Implies universality within the specified group. Not some, but the totality of those fitting the description.
- the meek (עֲנָוִים - anavim): From the root meaning to be humble, afflicted, bowed down. This term refers to the humble, afflicted, oppressed, poor, or lowly. They are not necessarily weak but those who rely on God and patiently endure suffering rather than resorting to self-vindication or violence. In a biblical context, they are often the righteous who suffer under oppression but maintain their faith and trust in God.
- of the earth (אֶרֶץ - erets): Can refer to the whole earth, or specifically the land of Israel. In this context, it suggests God’s universal reach and care extends to all His humble people wherever they may be, establishing His kingdom over the world. It may also imply that even the "meek of this earth" (often considered insignificant) are significant to God.
- Selah (סֶלָה - Selah): A technical term, likely a musical or liturgical direction, suggesting a pause, a lifting up of sound, or a moment for reflection. It emphasizes the preceding statement, inviting deeper consideration of God's profound act of judgment and salvation.
Words-group analysis:
- when God arose to judgment: This phrase highlights divine initiative and authority. God isn't provoked by external forces but acts according to His righteous character, stepping into human affairs as the supreme arbiter. It marks a moment of divine intervention against wickedness.
- to save all the meek of the earth: This emphasizes the benevolent outcome of God's judgment. His action, though fearsome for the proud, brings liberation and safety specifically for the humble and oppressed, demonstrating His preferential care for them. It underscores that judgment is not merely destruction but also restoration and salvation.
Psalm 76 9 Bonus section
The historical backdrop, whether the defeat of Sennacherib or another major deliverance, underscores that God's justice is not an abstract concept but a demonstrable reality within history. This specific act serves as a foretaste of a greater, future judgment and salvation. The "meek" being saved aligns with a pervasive biblical theme, showing God's preferential option for the humble, contrasting sharply with the world's value system that often exalts the powerful and self-reliant. The "Selah" prompts believers to internalize this profound truth: God's awesome power ensures that despite worldly suffering, ultimate justice will prevail for those who live in humble reliance upon Him.
Psalm 76 9 Commentary
Psalm 76:9 is a powerful declaration of God's character and activity in the world. It emphasizes that divine judgment is fundamentally restorative and salvific for His faithful people. The "arising" of God signifies His active, deliberate intervention, stepping onto the stage of human history as the supreme Judge. This intervention is not arbitrary but for a dual purpose: "to judgment" and "to save." For the ungodly and the arrogant, His rising means their swift and overwhelming defeat (as seen in the prior verses of Psalm 76), where their plans are confounded and their strength rendered useless. But for "all the meek of the earth," this same divine rising signifies liberation, safety, and ultimate vindication.
The "meek" are not simply the impoverished, but those who are humble in spirit, reliant on God, often oppressed, and patiently awaiting His deliverance. God's judgment, therefore, establishes justice, brings down the proud, and lifts up the lowly. This verse provides immense comfort to those who are suffering and unjustly treated, reminding them that their plight is known to God and that He will ultimately act on their behalf. It is a foundational truth: God always defends the cause of the righteous who put their trust in Him, displaying His mighty power both in retribution against evil and in deliverance for His own.