Psalm 9 10

Psalm 9:10 kjv

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Psalm 9:10 nkjv

And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Psalm 9:10 niv

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 9:10 esv

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 9:10 nlt

Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you.

Psalm 9 verses

Psalm 9 10 Meaning

Psalm 9:10 reveals the intimate connection between knowing God's character and trusting in Him. It declares that those who truly understand God's nature and His revealed attributes will naturally place their full reliance and security in Him. This trust is justified because the Lord, the covenant-keeping God, consistently demonstrates His faithfulness by never abandoning or neglecting those who sincerely and actively seek His presence and guidance.

Psalm 9 10 Context

Psalm 9 is a thanksgiving psalm, likely celebrating a specific victory (vv. 1-6) while also serving as an appeal for justice against oppression (vv. 15-20). The psalmist, David, begins with praise for God's righteous judgment against nations that have oppressed His people. He depicts God as a just King enthroned forever, defending the cause of the oppressed (vv. 7-8). Verse 10 builds directly upon the preceding verse, where God is declared a "stronghold for the oppressed" (v. 9). It articulates why God is a reliable refuge: because His character (His "name") inspires trust, and He is faithful to those who diligently seek Him. The verse contrasts the fate of the righteous (God's preservation) with the destruction of the wicked earlier in the psalm, reinforcing the theme of divine justice and faithfulness. Historically, it reflects the worldview of ancient Israel, where knowing and worshipping YHWH stood in stark contrast to the idolatrous practices and unreliability of pagan deities.

Psalm 9 10 Word analysis

• And those who know: The Hebrew word for 'know' is yada' (יָדַע), which implies not just intellectual understanding, but deep, personal, experiential knowledge – an intimate acquaintance gained through relationship and experience.
• your name: The Hebrew shem (שֵׁם) refers to more than just a label or title; it embodies God's entire revealed character, attributes, reputation, and authority. Knowing His name means understanding who God is, what He stands for, and how He acts (e.g., God as Creator, Deliverer, Sustainer, Just Judge, Faithful Covenant-Keeper, YHWH).
• put their trust: The Hebrew verb is batach (בָּטַח), meaning to confidently rely upon, to feel secure, to lean upon without fear. It denotes an inner conviction of safety and assurance. This trust is active reliance, not passive hope.
• in you: Specifies God as the exclusive object of this trust, implying that He alone is trustworthy and capable of upholding His people.
• for you: Introduces the reason or basis for the statement, highlighting God's inherent nature as the foundation of the promised faithfulness.
• O Lord: Translates the Hebrew YHWH (יהוה), the covenant name of God. This name signifies God's self-existent, eternal nature and His active presence and faithfulness to His promises, particularly His covenant with Israel. It emphasizes His relational and trustworthy character.
• have not forsaken: The Hebrew verb is 'azav (עָזַב), meaning to leave, abandon, utterly desert, neglect. The negative here strongly affirms God's active presence and unwavering support; He does not and will not abandon those committed to Him.
• those who seek you: The Hebrew darash (דָּרַשׁ) implies a diligent, earnest, and intentional pursuit, often involving prayer, inquiry, worship, or obedience. It's not a casual or sporadic search but a persistent, wholehearted seeking for God's presence, will, and wisdom.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And those who know your name put their trust in you": This phrase establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Genuine, experiential knowledge of God's character (His "name") naturally leads to complete trust in Him. It is not an intellectual assent but a relational knowing that births profound confidence. This trust is rooted in revelation – God reveals who He is, and His people respond by relying on Him.
• "for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you": This part provides the divine justification for the human trust. The "for" clause confirms God's steadfastness and fidelity. His covenant nature (YHWH) guarantees that He will never abandon those who actively and wholeheartedly pursue Him. There is a reciprocal dynamic: human seeking evokes divine faithfulness and unwavering presence. It underscores that God's actions are consistent with His nature; He does not disappoint those who truly desire Him.

Psalm 9 10 Bonus section

The active voice of the verbs "know," "trust," and "seek" underscores human responsibility in the relationship with God, while the divine assurance "have not forsaken" highlights God's unfailing initiative and response. This verse inherently presents a subtle polemic against the instability and unreliability of pagan deities. Unlike idols that are inanimate and powerless, the living God (YHWH) actively responds to those who know and seek Him, demonstrating a faithful and unchanging character. The progression from knowledge to trust, and then from seeking to not being forsaken, demonstrates a beautiful theological cycle: divine revelation fosters human trust, and human devotion is met with divine faithfulness. This verse moves beyond just intellectual knowledge of God's name to a volitional and relational embrace of His character, showing the fruit of such a relationship.

Psalm 9 10 Commentary

Psalm 9:10 is a powerful articulation of foundational biblical truth: true knowledge of God's character inevitably leads to unwavering trust, which God, in His faithful nature, always honors. It asserts that intimacy with God, rather than mere intellectual acknowledgement, is the bedrock of confidence. To "know His name" means to apprehend His sovereignty, power, justice, and mercy as revealed through His acts and covenant. This deep knowledge breeds security (batach), a settled confidence that God is utterly reliable.

The second part of the verse provides the theological underpinning for this trust: God's unwavering fidelity. The affirmation that God "has not forsaken" ('azav) those who "seek" (darash) Him speaks to His steadfast love and covenant faithfulness. It highlights that God does not abandon the diligent seeker; rather, He responds with His continuous presence, protection, and provision. "Seeking" God is depicted as an earnest and continuous pursuit, involving desire for His presence, obedience to His commands, and reliance on His guidance. This verse reassures believers, particularly when facing adversity (as is the context of Psalm 9), that their trust in God is well-placed because He is perpetually faithful to those who actively engage in a relationship with Him. It reinforces the dynamic reciprocity of the covenant relationship: our knowledge of God's character leads to trust, and our sincere seeking of Him is met with His enduring presence and support.