Lexical Summary shur: To travel, journey, or go about Original Word: שׁוּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance enemy From Shiymown; a foe (as lying in wait) -- enemy. see HEBREW Shiymown NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shur Definition perhaps enemy NASB Translation foes (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [שׁוּר] dubious word, only plural suffix וַתַּבֵּט עֵינִי בְּשׁוּרָֽי Psalm 92:12, read בְּשׁוֺרְרָֽי (Bae and others) see following Topical Lexicon Meaning and NuanceShur (Strong’s 7790) conveys the idea of steady, intent looking—an observing that does not merely glance but discerns. It implies watchfulness that expects God to act and then recognizes His activity when it appears. Occurrence and Literary Setting Psalm 92:11 uniquely employs the verb to describe the righteous worshiper’s experience: “My eyes have seen the downfall of my foes; my ears hear the wail of the wicked rising against me”. The psalmist’s “seeing” is not passive sight but the active, confident gaze of faith rewarded. Positioned in a Sabbath psalm that celebrates God’s steadfast love (Psalm 92:2) and faithfulness (Psalm 92:3), the word underscores the climactic reversal in which evil collapses before the steadfast purposes of God. Theological Themes 1. Divine Vindication Shur highlights a recurring biblical pattern—God allows His people to witness the judgment of their adversaries. Psalm 91:8 echoes, “You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked”. Observation itself becomes part of the covenant blessing: the righteous not only survive but behold God’s justice. 2. Watchfulness and Faith The verb’s nuance links it thematically with calls to “stand still and see the salvation of the LORD” (Exodus 14:13) and to Isaiah’s command, “Look to the Rock from which you were hewn” (Isaiah 51:1). Faith watches expectantly; unbelief averts its eyes. 3. Sight as Revelation Scripture often pairs seeing with knowing (Job 42:5; John 1:14). In Psalm 92:11, sight authenticates revelation: the psalmist personally verifies God’s judgment. The righteous can therefore testify, strengthening the community’s confidence. Historical and Cultural Background Ancient Near-Eastern cities stationed lookouts on their walls to warn of danger and announce victory. The verb evokes that role: believers are spiritual sentinels who scan the horizon for the LORD’s intervention. In Israel’s worship, recounting what one had “seen” of God’s works formed part of public praise (Psalm 40:10). Thus shur embodies both vigilant anticipation and public proclamation. Prophetic and Eschatological Resonance While Psalm 92 is historical, its language points forward. Prophets envision a day when “all flesh shall come to worship before Me… and they will go out and look upon the corpses of the men who rebelled against Me” (Isaiah 66:23-24). The ultimate fulfillment of shur is eschatological: the redeemed will behold the final overthrow of wickedness (Revelation 18:20; 19:1-3). Ministry and Discipleship Implications • Encouraging Perseverance Believers under persecution can take courage that they, like the psalmist, will one day “see” God’s deliverance, whether in this age or the next (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7). • Cultivating Spiritual Vigilance Pastoral ministry must train saints to watch—prayerfully discerning God’s hand in history (Matthew 24:42). Shur reminds us that watchfulness is neither idle nor anxious but hopeful. • Testifying to God’s Works When God acts, witnesses must speak. Personal testimonies of witnessed deliverance strengthen the church (Acts 4:20). The verb encourages believers to notice and recount God’s interventions. Related Biblical Motifs – Eyes opened to divine reality (2 Kings 6:17) – Standing firm and seeing salvation (Exodus 14:13-14) – Observing the fate of the wicked (Psalm 37:34; Malachi 3:18) – Watchmen on the walls (Isaiah 62:6-7) Shur therefore encapsulates a watchful, faith-filled gaze that anticipates, recognizes, and proclaims the righteous acts of God. Forms and Transliterations בְּשׁ֫וּרָ֥י בשורי bə·šū·rāy beShuRai bəšūrāyLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 92:11 HEB: וַתַּבֵּ֥ט עֵינִ֗י בְּשׁ֫וּרָ֥י בַּקָּמִ֖ים עָלַ֥י NAS: has looked [exultantly] upon my foes, My ears KJV: also shall see [my desire] on mine enemies, [and] mine ears INT: has looked and my eye my foes rise against 1 Occurrence |
    |