Psalm 9 16

Psalm 9:16 kjv

The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

Psalm 9:16 nkjv

The LORD is known by the judgment He executes; The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah

Psalm 9:16 niv

The LORD is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.

Psalm 9:16 esv

The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. Higgaion. Selah

Psalm 9:16 nlt

The LORD is known for his justice.
The wicked are trapped by their own deeds. Quiet Interlude

Psalm 9 verses

Psalm 9 16 Meaning

Psalm 9:16 declares that the Lord reveals His true character and authority through His just and active interventions in the world, particularly in punishing the wicked. It further states a principle of divine justice: those who devise evil schemes often find themselves caught in their own traps, suffering the consequences of their own actions. The "Selah" serves as a call for a solemn pause, prompting reflection on this profound truth of God's revealed justice and the retribution of the wicked.

Psalm 9 16 Context

Psalm 9 is a song of thanksgiving and prayer by David, characterized by its emphasis on God's just governance of the world. The psalm oscillates between praising God for His past and future righteous judgments against enemies and a plea for current intervention on behalf of the afflicted. Verses 1-12 primarily express gratitude for God's historical and expected victories, highlighting His reign as an eternal judge. Verses 13-20 then shift to a direct plea for deliverance for the oppressed, contrasted with the downfall of the wicked.

Verse 16 specifically draws a conclusion from God's judicial acts described throughout the Psalm. It underlines that the Lord's very identity and character become known or demonstrated through His execution of justice, especially as the wicked are inevitably entangled in their own machinations. This provides theological grounding for the psalmist's hope: God will intervene, and His justice is both manifest and inescapable. In the ancient world, kings were responsible for justice; this psalm establishes Yahweh as the supreme, true Judge whose rule far transcends human limitations, serving as a polemic against the often-unjust rule of earthly powers and the widespread belief in indifferent deities.

Psalm 9 16 Word analysis

• The LORD: Hebrew, YHWH (Yahweh). This is the personal, covenantal name of God, indicating His active and sovereign presence in human affairs.
• is known: Hebrew, nôwḏaʿ (נֹודַע). This is the Niph'al participle of yadaʿ (יָדַע), meaning "to know" or "to be known." In the Niph'al stem, it suggests God making Himself known or being revealed. It implies an experiential and active knowledge, where God demonstrates who He is through His deeds, rather than merely an intellectual understanding.
• by the judgment: Hebrew, mishpaṭ (מִשְׁפָּט). Refers to a legal decision, an act of justice, a verdict, or the administration of justice. It encapsulates God's just rule and righteous decrees. The implied preposition "by" emphasizes that God's actions, particularly His judicial acts, are the means through which He is revealed.
• He executes: Hebrew, ʿāśâ (עָשָׂה). Means "to do," "to make," or "to accomplish." It highlights God's active involvement and execution of His will in history. He doesn't just know judgment, He performs it.
• the wicked: Hebrew, rāšāʿ (רָשָׁע). Refers to someone who is unrighteous, guilty, habitually evil, or an enemy of God and His people. It speaks of their moral character and deeds.
• is snared: Hebrew, nōqēš (נֹקֵשׁ). A Qal passive participle of yāqaš (יָקַשׁ), meaning "to bait," "to lay a snare," or "to trap." In the passive voice, it indicates being caught unexpectedly or falling into a trap. This emphasizes the swift and often surprising reversal of fortune for the wicked.
• in the work: Hebrew, bəfōʿal (בְּפֹעַל). Bə is the preposition "in" or "by means of." Pōʿal refers to "work," "deed," "activity," or "product." It signifies the actions or products generated by the wicked person.
• of his own hands: Hebrew, kappāyw (כַּפָּיו). Literally "his palms" or "his hands." This idiom reinforces the idea that the "work" or "deed" originated directly from the wicked person himself. Their own efforts, plots, or instruments become their downfall, an example of perfect poetic justice.
• Selah: Hebrew, Sela (סֶלָה). A common term in the Psalms, likely a musical or liturgical instruction indicating a pause, perhaps for instruments to play or for reflection on the preceding verse's profound truth. It calls for emphasis and contemplation.

Words-group analysis

• "The LORD is known by the judgment He executes": This phrase asserts a fundamental theological truth. God is not an abstract concept or a distant deity. His existence, power, righteousness, and commitment to justice are made evident and undeniable through His decisive acts of judgment in the world. This active revelation of Himself through judgment confirms His sovereignty and holiness.
• "the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands": This powerfully illustrates the principle of divine retribution or consequential justice. The very efforts, schemes, and tools employed by the wicked to perpetrate evil, entrap others, or secure their own advantage, become the means of their own undoing. It portrays a perfectly just God who allows the wicked's own actions to backfire and seal their fate, providing assurance that evil does not ultimately triumph.

Psalm 9 16 Bonus section

• Acrostic Design: Psalm 9 (and 10, often considered a single psalm with it) displays an partial alphabetic acrostic structure in its original Hebrew. While not perfectly preserved in the masoretic text, the presence of such a literary device emphasizes careful composition and possibly serves as an aid to memory and a structured presentation of God's righteous character and actions.
• Poetic Justice: The concept described in the second half of the verse, where the wicked fall into their own traps, is a powerful biblical motif often referred to as "poetic justice" or the "boomerang effect." This is not just a chance occurrence but a divine design ensuring that justice is meted out fittingly.
• Comfort for the Afflicted: This verse, and indeed the entire Psalm, offers significant solace to those suffering injustice. By affirming that the Lord actively oversees judgment and that the wicked are self-destructive, it strengthens the faith of the downtrodden, assuring them that ultimate vindication rests with a sovereign, just God who sees their plight and will act on their behalf.

Psalm 9 16 Commentary

Psalm 9:16 concisely presents a core aspect of divine revelation and justice. It states that God's character is not merely declared but profoundly displayed and understood through His administration of judgment. This divine action makes Him known in a tangible, undeniable way. Specifically, it highlights the principle of ironic reversal where the wicked, through their own manipulative plans or oppressive deeds, become entrapped by the very means they devised. This serves as a warning against sin and an assurance of God's active, moral governance over the earth. It brings comfort to the oppressed, reminding them that their deliverance is intrinsically linked to God's demonstration of His just nature through the self-inflicted downfall of their tormentors. This universal principle resonates throughout Scripture: what one sows, he reaps.