Log inSign up

Psalm 9 · a question people ask

"The wicked shall be turned back to Sheol, even all the nations that forget God" (9:17). Is the psalmist praying for people to die?

In the text

In the WEB 9:17 is worded as what shall happen, not as a request: "The wicked shall be turned back to Sheol, even all the nations that forget God" (9:17). It names who they are, those "that forget God" (9:17), and the next verse sets beside them the ones who are not forgotten: "For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever" (9:18) (tap forget). When the psalmist does ask, at the end, he asks the LORD to act and to judge: "Arise, LORD! Don’t let man prevail. Let the nations be judged in your sight" (9:19), and "Put them in fear, LORD. Let the nations know that they are only men" (9:20). He doesn't say he will strike anyone. Psalm 9 is not the only psalm that asks God to act against enemies, and Christians read these prayers in more than one way. The chapter on Psalm 109 sets out the main readings, each resting on its verses, and chooses none. These notes don't choose either.

The verses

“The wicked shall be turned back to Sheol, even all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever. Arise, LORD! Don’t let man prevail. Let the nations be judged in your sight. Put them in fear, LORD. Let the nations know that they are only men. Selah.”
Psalm 9:17-20 · World English Bible
“For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. God of my praise, don’t remain silent, for they have opened the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit against me. They have spoken to me with a lying tongue. They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause. In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer. They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.”
Psalm 109:1-5 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 9

Psalm 9: A high tower for the oppressed

"The LORD reigns forever" (9:7) has, in Hebrew, the verb of "You sit on the throne" (9:4): the LORD sits forever, and "He has prepared his throne for judgment" (9:7). And the psalm's "He will judge the world in righteousness" (9:8) is, in the WEB, word for word what Paul told Athens God will do "by the man whom he has ordained" (Acts 17:31).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekPsalm 9 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Psalm 9

All questions about Psalms →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions