Psalm 92 6

Psalm 92:6 kjv

A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.

Psalm 92:6 nkjv

A senseless man does not know, Nor does a fool understand this.

Psalm 92:6 niv

Senseless people do not know, fools do not understand,

Psalm 92:6 esv

The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this:

Psalm 92:6 nlt

Only a simpleton would not know,
and only a fool would not understand this:

Psalm 92 verses

Psalm 92 6 Meaning

This verse succinctly declares the profound spiritual ignorance of those who are brutish and foolish. They are unable to comprehend God's "great works" and "deep thoughts" (as described in Psalm 92:4-5), specifically the truth concerning divine justice—that the temporary prosperity of the wicked leads only to their ultimate destruction, while God's sovereignty and the flourishing of the righteous are eternal. It highlights a critical distinction between those with spiritual discernment and those whose minds are dulled or willingly resistant to divine revelation.

Psalm 92 6 Context

Psalm 92 is uniquely designated "A Song for the Sabbath Day," indicating its liturgical purpose in praising God, perhaps marking divine rest and reflection on His creation and governance. The surrounding verses in the Psalm establish a profound contrast that is essential for understanding verse 6. Verses 1-5 extoll God for His "great works" and "very deep" thoughts, expressing delight in His power and faithfulness. This sets the stage for the specific lack of comprehension described in verse 6: "A brutish man does not know, nor does a fool understand this." The "this" in verse 6 explicitly refers to the truth expounded in the immediately following verses (92:7-9): that while the wicked may spring up like grass and flourish temporarily, their ultimate end is eternal destruction, whereas God remains exalted forever. Historically, this theme addresses the perennial struggle of believers who grapple with the apparent prosperity of the wicked, offering a divine perspective that pierces through superficial appearances to reveal ultimate reality.

Psalm 92 6 Word analysis

• A brutish man (אִישׁ בַּעַר - ish ba'ar)
  • אִישׁ (ish): Standard Hebrew word for "man," denoting an individual person.
  • בַּעַר (ba'ar): Derived from a root meaning "to burn," "consume," or figuratively, "to be dull," "insensate." Here it means "brutish," "senseless," "ignorant," or "stupid." It describes one who is unintelligent in spiritual matters, perhaps likened to an unreasoning beast (hence "brutish"), focused purely on temporal, worldly concerns and lacking spiritual sensitivity or perception.
• does not know (לֹא יֵדָע - lo yeda')
  • לֹא (lo): Standard Hebrew negative particle, "not."
  • יֵדָע (yeda'): From the verb יָדַע (yada'), "to know," "to perceive," "to be acquainted with." This refers to a basic level of factual knowledge or apprehension. The brutish man lacks even a rudimentary understanding of God's ways or the meaning of events.
• nor (וּכְסִיל - u-khesil)
  • וּ (u-): The conjunction "and," here serving as "nor" in conjunction with the subsequent negation.
  • כְּסִיל (khesil): "Fool." This is a strong biblical term, especially in Proverbs. Unlike ba'ar (who is merely dull), khesil often describes someone who is not just intellectually deficient but morally perverse, arrogant in their foolishness, resistant to wisdom, and prone to evil. They choose folly and actively despise knowledge.
• does a fool understand (לֹא יָבִין - lo yavin)
  • לֹא (lo): "Not."
  • יָבִין (yavin): From the verb בִּין (bin), "to understand," "to discern," "to perceive deeply," "to consider," "to separate" (implying discrimination). This signifies a deeper, more profound comprehension, insight, or ability to draw conclusions from what is known. The fool not only lacks superficial knowledge but also lacks the spiritual discernment to grasp the true meaning or implications.
• this (זֹאת - zot)
  • זֹאת (zot): The demonstrative pronoun "this." In context, "this" points forward to the truth presented in the immediately following verses (92:7-9) regarding the fleeting nature of the wicked's prosperity and their eventual destruction, contrasted with God's eternal exaltation and the flourishing of the righteous. It's the grand, overarching truth of God's justice and sovereignty that eludes the spiritually blind.

• A brutish man... nor does a fool: This parallelism intensifies the statement. The "brutish man" suggests someone dense and insensitive, while the "fool" suggests someone obstinately resistant to wisdom. The two terms together paint a picture of comprehensive spiritual incapacity, covering both intellectual dullness and moral perversity.
• does not know... nor does... understand: The use of two different verbs for "know" and "understand" (yada' and bin) highlights varying depths of comprehension. The "brutish man" lacks basic apprehension (yada'), while the "fool" lacks deep, discerning insight (bin*). They miss both the facts and their profound implications regarding God's ways.
• understand this: The object "this" is crucial. It’s not just a general lack of intelligence, but a specific inability to grasp the profound truth about God's plan, His justice, and the ultimate destiny of humanity, particularly the fate of the wicked. This inability stems from their spiritual condition.

Psalm 92 6 Bonus section

The concept of spiritual blindness found in Psalm 92:6 is further expounded in the New Testament as a natural consequence of sin and unbelief, where the "god of this world" (Satan) blinds the minds of unbelievers (2 Cor 4:4). This extends beyond mere intellectual inadequacy to a spiritual state where divine light is deliberately rejected or obscured. The wisdom literature frequently uses the "brutish man" and "fool" types to teach moral discernment. They are not to be pitied as intellectually inferior but are warned against as morally misguided and dangerously unaware of the spiritual realities that govern existence and judgment. This verse therefore calls for reflection on one's own spiritual condition and a seeking of the wisdom that begins with the fear of the Lord (Prov 9:10).

Psalm 92 6 Commentary

Psalm 92:6 acts as a profound counterpoint within a psalm celebrating God's majesty and righteous works. It asserts that the wonders of God, His deep thoughts and providential dealings—especially the fleeting nature of the wicked's prosperity and their inevitable downfall (vv. 7-9)—remain entirely incomprehensible to the unspiritual. The "brutish man" (ba'ar) is depicted as spiritually insensitive, like an animal operating solely on instinct, unable to perceive the spiritual realm or divine purpose. The "fool" (khesil) is even more culpably ignorant, being one who actively rejects wisdom, choosing obstinate rebellion against God's truth.

Their ignorance is not merely an intellectual deficit but a moral and spiritual blindness, rooted in their refusal to acknowledge God and His ways. Consequently, they are deluded by superficial appearances, particularly the temporal success of evildoers, failing to discern God's eternal justice and ultimate triumph. This verse serves as a crucial theological insight, explaining why many in the world fail to grasp the divine order or God's sovereignty over history, even when confronted with overwhelming evidence of His creation and governance. It underscores that true wisdom—understanding God's character, purposes, and ultimate judgment—is not universally self-evident but requires spiritual discernment that the "brutish" and "foolish" deliberately lack.