Psalm 9:12 kjv
When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
Psalm 9:12 nkjv
When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble.
Psalm 9:12 niv
For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.
Psalm 9:12 esv
For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
Psalm 9:12 nlt
For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless.
He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer.
Psalm 9 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference (Note) |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 9:5-6 | "For your lifeblood... I will surely demand an accounting... by man shall his blood be shed." | God's foundational demand for blood for blood |
| Num 35:19 | "The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death." | Law of the avenger of blood (Go'el) |
| Deut 32:35 | "Vengeance is Mine, and recompense... The day of their calamity is at hand." | God claims vengeance as His alone |
| 1 Sam 2:7-8 | "The LORD makes poor and makes rich... He raises the poor from the dust." | God's power over status and justice |
| Job 24:12 | "From the city the dying groan, and the souls of the wounded cry out... yet God charges no one with wrongdoing." | The challenge of delayed justice |
| Ps 10:14 | "You see, for You note mischief and vexation, to repay it with Your hand; the helpless commits himself to You." | God sees the wicked and is the Helper |
| Ps 34:17 | "When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them." | God hears and delivers the righteous |
| Ps 72:12-14 | "For He delivers the needy when he calls... He redeems their life from oppression and violence." | Messiah's reign of justice and compassion |
| Ps 103:6 | "The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed." | God's consistent justice for the oppressed |
| Ps 145:19 | "He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He also hears their cry and saves them." | God hears and saves His fearful ones |
| Isa 49:15-16 | "Can a woman forget her nursing child...? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you." | God's unfailing memory and care |
| Jer 22:3 | "Execute justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed." | Call for earthly justice mirroring God's |
| Lam 3:58-59 | "You have pleaded the case of my soul... You have seen my wrong; judge my case." | Plea for God's judgment and advocacy |
| Ezek 7:23 | "For the land is full of blood crimes and the city is full of violence." | The pervasive nature of bloodguilt |
| Nah 1:2-3 | "The LORD is a jealous and avenging God... The LORD is slow to anger but great in power." | God's avenging, patient, powerful nature |
| Jas 5:4 | "Indeed, the wages of the laborers... kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord." | The cry of the defrauded reaching God |
| Rev 6:10 | "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood?" | Martyrs' cry for divine vengeance |
| Rev 19:2 | "For His judgments are true and righteous... He has avenged the blood of His servants." | Final judgment, vengeance accomplished |
| Rom 12:19 | "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God." | Human prohibition on vengeance, reserved for God |
| Heb 10:30 | "For we know Him who said, 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay.'" | Reiterates God's prerogative to avenge |
| Luke 18:7-8 | "And will not God give justice to His elect, who cry to Him day and night? Will He delay long?" | God's timely justice for His elect |
| 2 Tim 2:13 | "If we are faithless, He remains faithful— for He cannot deny Himself." | God's unwavering faithfulness and nature |
Psalm 9 verses
Psalm 9 12 Meaning
Psalm 9:12 declares God as the righteous and active Avenger of innocent blood, who tirelessly remembers and acts on behalf of those who suffer injustice. It assures that He is perpetually aware of the distress of the afflicted and will unfailingly respond to their cries for justice, bringing recompense to their oppressors.
Psalm 9 12 Context
Psalm 9 is a thanksgiving hymn, often ascribed to David, celebrating God's righteous judgment over His enemies and His unwavering commitment to justice for the oppressed. It moves from personal thanksgiving (9:1-2) to national deliverance and the defeat of oppressors (9:3-6), emphasizing God's role as the eternal, righteous Judge (9:7-8). Verse 12 is central to this theme, serving as an assurance of divine intervention, especially following descriptions of God as a stronghold for the oppressed (9:9) and a refuge for those who know His name (9:10). Historically, the "avenger of blood" (Hebrew: go'el haddam) was a kinsman responsible for upholding justice by avenging a relative's murder. Here, God Himself takes on this sacred, protective role on a cosmic scale, representing justice for all the downtrodden. This truth stands in direct polemic against the polytheistic beliefs of surrounding cultures, which often depicted gods as capricious or indifferent; Psalm 9:12 presents Yahweh as actively attentive, morally upright, and eternally committed to delivering His people and punishing injustice.
Psalm 9 12 Word analysis
- For (כִּי - kî): This particle often introduces a reason, a confirmation, or a strong affirmation. It points to the preceding assurance of God's refuge and trustworthiness (Ps 9:9-10), explaining why believers can trust Him: because He is the God who remembers and avenges.
- He who avenges (דֹּרֵשׁ - dōrēš): Derived from the verb daraš, meaning "to seek," "require," "inquire," or "demand." When associated with "blood," it signifies demanding accountability for bloodshed, thereby acting as an avenger or one who holds responsible. It conveys an active, diligent pursuit of justice, not passive oversight.
- blood (דָּמִים - dāmîm): The plural form, "bloods," is common in Hebrew when referring to bloodshed or bloodguilt. It often implies violence, murder, or unjust death. God demands an accounting for every act of such violence, particularly the innocent.
- remembers (זָכָר - zāḵar): In biblical terms, God's "remembering" is not mere recall but signifies active and purposeful engagement or intervention based on what is remembered. When God remembers, He acts to bring about His will or covenant promises, especially for the afflicted. He initiates justice.
- them (הוּא - hûʾ): This emphatic pronoun refers back to the victims whose blood has been shed. God actively remembers and champions the cause of the slain.
- he does not forget (לֹא שָׁכַח - lōʾ šāḵaḥ): This strong double negative reinforces the preceding positive statement. "Not to forget" speaks of an unceasing awareness and a committed, unfailing intention to act. It emphasizes God's absolute faithfulness to His righteous character and promises.
- the cry (צַעֲקַת - ṣaʿăqat): An outcry, wail, or loud lament, typically born of great distress, suffering, or oppression. It signifies a desperate appeal for help and intervention, recognizing one's utter powerlessness.
- of the afflicted (עֲנָוִים - ʿănāwîm): This term refers to the poor, humble, meek, lowly, or oppressed. These are individuals who often lack worldly power, resources, or advocacy, and are thus vulnerable to exploitation. Often, these are also those who trust in God.
- He who avenges blood remembers them: This phrase powerfully casts God in the role of the ultimate Go'el (kinsman-redeemer/avenger). Just as a human kinsman was duty-bound to pursue justice for a slain relative, God assumes this role for all those whose innocent blood is shed, signifying His absolute sovereignty over life and His commitment to moral order. His "remembering" here means His active judicial intervention.
- he does not forget the cry of the afflicted: This parallels and broadens the scope of God's active concern from specifically "avenging blood" to a wider compassion for all forms of suffering and oppression. It affirms that every tear, groan, and desperate cry of the vulnerable reaches God's ears and remains in His divine memory, assuring ultimate vindication. The emphasis is on His unwavering, personal attention to human suffering.
Psalm 9 12 Bonus section
The concept of God as the "Avenger of Blood" anticipates the final judgment where all injustices, especially those against God's faithful, will be brought to light and decisively dealt with. While justice may seem delayed in the human timeline, this verse assures us of God's unwavering commitment to righteous judgment, encouraging persistent prayer and faith even amidst prolonged suffering. It provides a basis for understanding that human responsibility for upholding justice reflects a divine mandate, yet ultimately, the ultimate reckoning belongs to God. This truth can comfort those who are tempted to despair, reminding them that no sin, especially bloodshed, goes unnoticed or unpunished in the divine economy.
Psalm 9 12 Commentary
Psalm 9:12 is a profound declaration of God's divine character as a perfectly just and compassionate Judge. It provides a foundational assurance for the persecuted and vulnerable. God is not distant or indifferent; He actively "avenges blood," indicating His personal and direct intervention against those who commit violence, particularly murder. The ancient Israelite concept of the "avenger of blood" (the go'el haddam) is here applied to God Himself, magnifying His role as the ultimate defender of life and dispenser of justice. His "remembering" the victims means far more than cognitive recall; it signifies an active commitment to uphold their cause and bring about a just reckoning. Furthermore, this divine attention extends beyond just bloodshed to the broader "cry of the afflicted." Every groan, every silent prayer, and every desperate lament of those who are downtrodden, marginalized, or oppressed resonates in the divine presence. God's declaration that "He does not forget" highlights His absolute faithfulness and eternal mindfulness. This verse is a profound source of comfort for those who experience injustice, assuring them that their suffering is neither overlooked nor ignored by the Sovereign Lord, who will, in His perfect timing and manner, bring forth ultimate vindication and set right every wrong.