Psalm 92 9

Psalm 92:9 kjv

For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.

Psalm 92:9 nkjv

For behold, Your enemies, O LORD, For behold, Your enemies shall perish; All the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.

Psalm 92:9 niv

For surely your enemies, LORD, surely your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered.

Psalm 92:9 esv

For behold, your enemies, O LORD, for behold, your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered.

Psalm 92:9 nlt

Your enemies, LORD, will surely perish;
all evildoers will be scattered.

Psalm 92 verses

Psalm 92 9 Meaning

Psalm 92:9 declares with emphatic certainty that God’s adversaries will face complete destruction and disarray. It assures the faithful that divine justice will inevitably prevail, resulting in the perishing of those who oppose God and the scattering of all who commit iniquity. This serves as a fundamental affirmation of God's unwavering moral governance over creation.

Psalm 92 9 Context

Psalm 92 is titled "A Song for the Sabbath Day." This sets a backdrop of worship, rest, and reflection on God's nature and works. The psalm celebrates God’s great works and righteous judgments. It begins by praising God’s faithfulness in the morning and His steadfast love at night (v. 1-4). The psalmist then contrasts the apparent but fleeting prosperity of the wicked (v. 6-7) with the eternal flourishing of the righteous (v. 12-14). Verse 9 serves as the climax of the psalmist’s reflection on divine justice, providing the emphatic assurance that despite what might be seen in the short term, God’s enemies—the evildoers—will ultimately face utter ruin. It is a polemic against any notion that God is indifferent to evil or that wickedness will go unpunished. The historical context for the original audience, who often saw oppressors thrive, made this declaration of divine justice particularly comforting and reaffirming of God's sovereign control over the moral universe.

Psalm 92 9 Word analysis

• כִּֽי (ki) – For / Because: This conjunction introduces a reason or an explanation for the preceding statement, providing a foundational truth. It links the affirmation of God's exaltedness (v. 8) with the imminent destruction of His enemies. It implies a causal relationship: God is eternally high, therefore His enemies will perish.
• הִנֵּ֥ה (hinneh) – Behold / Indeed: This emphatic interjection draws immediate attention and underscores the certainty and significance of what follows. Its repetition in the verse dramatically emphasizes the inevitability and visibility of the judgment. It is as if God is saying, "Look! Pay close attention to this certain truth!" This term can evoke a sense of imminent action or revelation.
• אֹֽיְבֶ֗יךָ (oyveikha) – Your enemies: Literally "Your (singular, possessive) adversaries." This term refers to those who actively oppose God, His will, His people, or His kingdom. These are not merely the psalmist’s personal foes, but those who are set against the Creator of the universe. The direct address to Yahweh highlights that their opposition is ultimately against God Himself, not just His servants. This suggests a theological conflict, not merely a political or social one.
• יְֽהוָה֮ (Yahweh) – LORD: This is the personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel, signifying His active presence, unwavering faithfulness, and absolute sovereignty. The use of Yahweh underscores that the judgment is from the true and living God who is intimately involved in His creation and His covenant. It contrasts Him with any fleeting human powers or pagan deities.
• יֹאבֵ֑דוּ (yo'vedu) – they shall perish: From the root אָבַד (abad), meaning to be lost, destroyed, ruined, or made to vanish. This verb signifies total annihilation or ruin, not merely ceasing to exist but a catastrophic end where their purpose, power, and being are brought to nothing. It's a forceful term indicating complete divine retribution and an end to their very existence in terms of their identity and function.
• יִתְפָּֽרְד֖וּ (yitpardu) – they shall be scattered: From the root פָּרַד (parad), meaning to divide, separate, or disperse. This implies disunity, dissolution, and removal of any collective power or threat they might possess. It speaks to the dismantling of their influence, plans, and coherence. Like chaff scattered by the wind (Psa 1:4), they lose all substance and standing. This often indicates judgment that brings shame and isolation.
• כָּל־פֹּ֣עֲלֵי (kol po'alei) – all who do / all workers of: Kol means "all," signifying universality. Po'alei (from פּעַל, pa'al) means "workers" or "doers." This phrase includes every individual whose actions are defined by wickedness, implying their very character and life's endeavor are antithetical to God. It highlights that their deeds reveal their nature.
• אָֽוֶן׃ (aven) – iniquity / wickedness: This Hebrew word signifies deep-seated evil, often associated with trouble, sorrow, false dealing, or morally injurious actions. It can also imply moral perversion, fraud, or futility. Those who work "aven" are not merely those who stumble, but those whose actions are consistently characterized by intentional wrongdoing, deceit, or spiritual rebellion.

Psalm 92 9 Bonus section

The positioning of Psalm 92:9 is strategic within "A Song for the Sabbath Day." On the Sabbath, a day dedicated to resting in God’s completed creation and anticipating the rest He provides, this verse provides a key theological truth: just as God brought order out of chaos at creation, He will bring ultimate order to the moral chaos caused by human sin. The "perishing" and "scattering" reflect ancient Near Eastern themes of divine kingship, where the supreme deity demonstrates power by crushing and dispersing enemies, establishing cosmic order. The psalm, therefore, is not merely about human morality but about the cosmic triumph of Yahweh. The concept of God’s enemies extends beyond individuals to systems and ideologies that stand in opposition to God’s righteous rule, including pride, idolatry, and lawlessness. This verse implicitly sets up the eternal contrast: while the wicked "flourish like grass" only to "perish forever," the righteous will "flourish like the palm tree" (Psa 92:7, 12).

Psalm 92 9 Commentary

Psalm 92:9 delivers a powerful and foundational truth concerning divine justice. In a world where the wicked often seem to prosper (as acknowledged in v. 7), this verse asserts an inescapable certainty: God’s enemies are destined for ultimate and utter destruction. The double use of "Behold!" (hinneh) emphasizes this divine decree, signaling its absolute surety. The Lord, Yahweh, is the one against whom they set themselves, and His sovereign power ensures their undoing. Their "perishing" signifies not just a loss of life, but a complete dissolution of their being and influence—their plots failing, their power eroding, their very memory potentially erased. "Scattered" further emphasizes their disarray, lack of unity, and inability to withstand the mighty hand of God. This judgment is comprehensive, applying to "all who do iniquity," meaning those whose lives are characterized by rebellious or corrupt practices against God's ways. This verse offers profound comfort and reassurance to the righteous, strengthening their faith in God's perfect moral governance and final vindication of truth and goodness, while also serving as a stark warning to those who persist in wickedness. It highlights that God's justice is not a future hope but an assured reality that upholds the created moral order.

• Example for practical usage: When faced with seeming injustice where wicked deeds appear unpunished, this verse encourages trusting in God’s eventual and perfect judgment. It reminds believers that divine justice is delayed, not denied.