Psalm 92 11

Psalm 92:11 kjv

Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.

Psalm 92:11 nkjv

My eye also has seen my desire on my enemies; My ears hear my desire on the wicked Who rise up against me.

Psalm 92:11 niv

My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries; my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.

Psalm 92:11 esv

My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.

Psalm 92:11 nlt

My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
my ears have heard the defeat of my wicked opponents.

Psalm 92 verses

Psalm 92 11 Meaning

Psalm 92:11 conveys the Psalmist’s triumphant assurance and personal experience of God's just judgment. It expresses profound confidence that the Lord will decisively deal with those who oppose the righteous. The verse describes a vivid scene where the Psalmist observes the downfall of his adversaries and hears the ruin of wicked assailants, emphasizing the certainty and clarity of divine vindication. This seeing and hearing is a manifestation of God's unwavering righteousness in administering justice on the earth.

Psalm 92 11 Context

Psalm 92 is uniquely designated "A Psalm, a Song for the Sabbath day," setting a tone of contemplation and joyful praise regarding God's attributes. The psalm extols God’s greatness, His righteous acts, and His wisdom in creation and judgment. It contrasts the flourishing but fleeting prosperity of the wicked with the steadfast and lasting flourishing of the righteous. Verse 11 (verse 12 in the Hebrew numbering) marks a turning point within the psalm where the general declaration of God's justice moves into the Psalmist's personal, triumphant affirmation of witnessing that justice. Historically, the psalm reflects a world where the righteous often faced oppression and challenge from wicked individuals or nations, thus the theme of divine vindication provided comfort and assurance. This emphasis on Yahweh's active judgment served as a polemic against ancient Near Eastern deities often depicted as capricious or less engaged with human justice.

Psalm 92 11 Word analysis

• וְעֵינִי (ve'eini) – "And my eye": The Hebrew "עֵינִי" is singular and possessive, signifying a personal and direct visual witness. The use of "and" connects this observation to the preceding themes of God's mighty works.
• רָאֲתָה (ra'atah) – "has seen": This verb is in the perfect tense. It suggests an action already completed or so certain to occur that it is spoken of as if it has already happened. This highlights the absolute certainty and settled nature of God's judgment against the enemies.
• בְּשׁוּרָ֑י (bəshūrāy) – "concerning my foes" / "regarding my watchers/spies": From the root שׁוּר (shûr), meaning "to look," "to behold." In this context, it often refers to those who watch with hostile intent or lie in wait, thus "my foes" or "my observers" who scheme against him. The preposition "בְּ" (bə) indicates "concerning" or "regarding," implying the Psalmist sees concerning their state or fate, which, in the psalm's context, is destruction. It does not literally mean "their downfall," but rather seeing the truth about them.
• וְאָזְנַ֗י (ve'oznay) – "And my ears": This is plural and possessive, implying a complete or full apprehension of the sounds of victory, justice, or defeat. It suggests the fullness of the experience of triumph.
• תִּשְׁמַֽעְנָה׃ (tishma'nah) – "will hear": This verb is in the imperfect tense, suggesting a future action that is either continuous or still anticipated, but certain to occur. The contrast with "has seen" (perfect tense) might suggest the "seeing" is about God's foundational work of justice already laid, while "hearing" speaks to the ongoing or future public declaration and fulfillment of judgment.
• בָּרָעִים הַקָּמִים עָלָי (barā‘îm haqqāmîm ‘ālāy) – "concerning the wicked who rise up against me": This phrase precisely identifies the enemies heard about. "הַקָּמִים" (haqqāmîm), from "קוּם" (qûm - to rise, stand up), signifies those who actively stand up in opposition, portraying them as aggressive and rebellious adversaries. The "בְּ" (bə) preposition again denotes "concerning" their situation or ultimate demise.Words-group analysis:
• "My eyes have seen" and "my ears will hear": This parallelism underscores the totality of the Psalmist's experience and witness. Both sight and hearing are invoked to convey comprehensive certainty and vivid personal assurance. It speaks to both the visible outcome and the resounding news of victory.
• "my foes" and "the wicked who rise up against me": These phrases describe the enemies in different ways, adding layers to their hostility. "Foes" implies direct opposition, while "the wicked who rise up against me" emphasizes their active aggression and moral character, solidifying the idea that God's judgment is righteous and deserved.

Psalm 92 11 Bonus section

The interpretation of this verse in some older traditions, particularly the King James Version, renders it as "Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me." This translation, while reflective of an ancient interpretive lineage (possibly Targumic), can mistakenly suggest a vengeful or vindictive "desire" on the part of the Psalmist. However, careful examination of the Hebrew text, specifically the verb ra'ah (to see) and the preposition bə (concerning, against), supports the rendering found in most modern translations, which speaks of seeing concerning their ultimate end, rather than desiring harm upon them. The emphasis is on God's just act and the Psalmist's assured observation of it, not on a personal malicious wish. The triumph described is God's victory, observed by His faithful, which brings peace and renewed worship, as fitting for a "Sabbath song."

Psalm 92 11 Commentary

Psalm 92:11 provides a powerful expression of faith in God's perfect justice. It reveals the Psalmist's personal and deeply satisfying assurance of divine vindication. This verse stands as a testament to the belief that despite the present appearance of evil flourishing, God is the ultimate judge who will surely defeat the wicked and exalt the righteous. The "seeing" signifies a settled, assured observation of God's works against the enemy, perhaps already evident in divine intervention or the natural consequences of sin. The "hearing" points to the certainty of future public declarations of victory, emphasizing a coming, complete, and resounding defeat for those who oppose God's people. This passage encourages steadfast trust in God's timeline and methods of justice, rather than succumbing to fear or engaging in self-vindication. It affirms that the faithful will not only endure but will ultimately witness the triumph of righteousness.