What is the meaning of Psalm 9:20? Lay terror upon them David asks, “Lay terror upon them,” trusting God to act decisively against arrogant powers. This is not a call for random fear but for a holy shock that shatters pride and curbs evil. Similar scenes appear in Psalm 2:5, where the Lord “terrifies them in His fury,” and in Exodus 15:16, when dread falls on Egypt’s pursuers. God’s intervention has two goals: • To stop injustice—echoing Psalm 7:9, “Make an end to the evil of the wicked.” • To awaken repentance—much like Jonah 3:5, where Nineveh’s alarm leads to humility. Believers can rest, knowing God’s righteous dread is both protective and purposeful. O LORD Addressing “O LORD” anchors the plea in covenant relationship. The name points to the God who “reigns forever; He has established His throne for judgment” (Psalm 9:7). By invoking the LORD, David: • Affirms God’s absolute authority (Psalm 96:10). • Appeals to God’s faithfulness to His people (Deuteronomy 7:9). • Confesses dependence, mirroring Psalm 5:2, “Hear my cry for help, my King and my God.” Our confidence stands not in human might but in the character of the LORD who never changes. Let the nations know they are but men The heart of the verse calls every empire and culture to recognize human limits. Scripture repeatedly contrasts frail humanity with sovereign divinity: • Isaiah 40:15 reminds us that “the nations are like a drop in a bucket.” • Psalm 103:14 declares that God “knows we are dust.” • Acts 17:26-27 shows God setting nations’ boundaries so they might seek Him. When people grasp their mortality, they are positioned to humble themselves (2 Chronicles 7:14) and honor the God who “gives life and breath and everything else” (Acts 17:25). The verse therefore urges rulers and citizens alike to trade self-reliance for reverence. Selah This small word invites a pause. It asks us to: • Reflect on God’s judgment and mercy (Psalm 46:10). • Realign our hearts with the truth just voiced. • Receive comfort, knowing the final verdict belongs to the Lord (Psalm 37:7). In the middle of praise or petition, Selah grants space for awe to settle in. summary Psalm 9:20 frames a threefold prayer: that God would break evil’s grip, reveal His lordship, and remind every nation of human frailty. The psalmist entrusts justice to the LORD, confident that holy fear can halt oppression and open the door to repentance. By pausing at Selah, we join David in acknowledging that only God is sovereign, while we—whether individuals or entire nations—remain utterly dependent on Him. |
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