Psalm 9 17

Psalm 9:17 kjv

The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Psalm 9:17 nkjv

The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God.

Psalm 9:17 niv

The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God.

Psalm 9:17 esv

The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.

Psalm 9:17 nlt

The wicked will go down to the grave.
This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God.

Psalm 9 verses

Psalm 9 17 Meaning

Psalm 9:17 declares the ultimate fate of those who reject God and live wickedly. It states that "the wicked" and "all the nations that forget God" will face destruction and be consigned to Sheol, the realm of the dead. This verse serves as a definitive statement of divine justice, asserting that there will be a clear and final separation and judgment for those who actively disregard or oppose the Creator, signifying their cutting off from life and God's presence.

Psalm 9 17 Context

Psalm 9 is a powerful psalm of thanksgiving, primarily focusing on God's righteous judgment and His just governance over the earth. It begins with David's praise for God's marvelous works and His triumph over the enemies who sought to destroy him (Ps 9:1-6). The psalm then shifts to celebrating God's eternal reign as judge, Who establishes justice and equity for all, especially for the afflicted and oppressed (Ps 9:7-10). It calls for praise among the nations, reminding them of God's vengeance for the shedding of innocent blood (Ps 9:11-12). Following a prayer for deliverance (Ps 9:13-14), the psalm vividly describes how the wicked fall into the very traps they set (Ps 9:15-16). Verse 17 acts as a conclusive, declarative statement summarizing the ultimate outcome: the assured destiny of not just individual wicked people but also entire nations that willfully disregard or defy God, their end being consumption into the realm of death and judgment. This statement contrasts sharply with the hope and refuge God provides for the oppressed in earlier verses, reinforcing the psalmist's confidence in divine justice.

Psalm 9 17 Word analysis

• The wicked (רְשָׁעִים - r'sha'im): This plural noun refers to the ungodly, the morally corrupt, those who defy divine law, and often, those who are oppressive and actively hostile towards God or His people. It signifies not just evil actions, but an inherent state of rebellion against God's order.
• shall be turned (יָשׁוּבוּ - yashuvu): From the verb שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to return" or "to turn back." Here, it implies an inevitable outcome or a destined fate. It suggests that their wicked path naturally leads them to this specific end, almost as if they are returning to their just consequence or original dust, destined for Sheol.
• into hell (שְׁאוֹלָה - Sh'olah): This is the Hebrew word שְׁאוֹל (Sheol), which in the Old Testament generally refers to the grave, the underworld, or the realm of the dead. It is a shadowy place where all depart upon death. While it is not always depicted as a place of active torment like the New Testament concept of Gehenna, for the wicked it is unambiguously a place of no return, signifying their ultimate end, destruction, and separation from the land of the living and from God's immediate presence. For the righteous, going to Sheol was understood as an eventual gathering with their ancestors, but for the wicked, it carries the weight of divine judgment and the cutting off of their existence.
• and all the nations (וְכָל גּוֹיִם - v'chol goyim): "Nations" (גּוֹיִם - goyim) refers to the peoples, particularly the gentile nations. In the Old Testament, these nations are often portrayed as idolaters or oppressors of God's people. This phrase universalizes the judgment, extending it beyond individual "wicked" people within Israel to encompass all peoples and kingdoms that act in rebellion against God's universal sovereignty.
• that forget God (שְׁכֵחֵי אֱלֹהִים - sh'khechei Elohim):
  • that forget (שְׁכֵחֵי - sh'khechei): From the verb שָׁכַח (shakach), "to forget," "to neglect," or "to ignore." In biblical Hebrew, forgetting God is rarely a passive lapse of memory; rather, it is an active or willful disregard, a failure to acknowledge His commands, His covenant, and His presence. It signifies spiritual apostasy, unfaithfulness, and a turning away from reliance on and obedience to God. It indicates a rejection of His truth and ways, often leading to injustice and moral depravity.
  • God (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim): The common Hebrew word for God or deity, here referring to the one true God, the Creator and Judge of all.
• The wicked shall be turned into hell: This phrase highlights divine justice where the ungodly are inevitably brought to an end, specifically to Sheol, as a consequence of their chosen path. Their life of defiance leads directly to death and separation.
• all the nations that forget God: This specifies the character and culpability of the nations facing judgment. Their condemnation is rooted in their willful "forgetting" or disregard of the one true God, indicating their moral corruption, idolatry, and oppressive actions stem from this fundamental rejection of divine authority. This makes their end righteous and deserved.

Psalm 9 17 Bonus section

The concept of Sheol in the Old Testament provides an important distinction from later developed theological ideas of eternal hell. While it is the common abode of the dead, for the wicked, their going to Sheol carries a specific connotation of judgment and definitive ending to their oppressive ways. It signifies a severing of their connection to life and God's blessings, emphasizing that their reign of evil is not eternal. The parallelism between "the wicked" and "all the nations that forget God" underscores a consistent theme in the Psalms: that the behavior of nations is assessed by God based on their acknowledgement and obedience to Him. The collective fate of a nation is tied to its corporate disposition towards God. The verb shuv ("to turn/return") subtly hints at a turning back to dust, the state from which humanity came, particularly for those who rejected life in God's image, or turning into a state of judgment as a consequence of their choices. This verse thus presents a profound statement on ultimate accountability to the sovereign God.

Psalm 9 17 Commentary

Psalm 9:17 serves as a theological anchor within the psalm, assuring the righteous of God's unwavering commitment to justice. It articulates the universal principle that there is a distinct and dreadful end for those who embody wickedness and those nations that persistently refuse to acknowledge and obey the Creator. The descent into Sheol for "the wicked" and "nations that forget God" is not an arbitrary act but the natural consequence of their defiance. Forgetting God, in this context, means more than a mental oversight; it's a deliberate spurning of His commands, His covenant, and His very being, leading to societal and personal immorality. This verse is a stern warning that no amount of earthly power, prestige, or momentary success can avert the divine reckoning for persistent rebellion and willful spiritual amnesia. It brings comfort to the oppressed by reaffirming God's ultimate sovereignty and the eventual vindication of His righteousness.Examples: A society that intentionally removes God from public life, glorifies unrighteousness, and neglects the cries of the poor would fall under the scope of "nations that forget God." Individuals who live solely for self-gratification, commit injustice, and mock biblical truth would be counted among "the wicked." Their final state, as per this verse, is one of definitive judgment.