Log inSign up

Psalm 92 · a question people ask

What is it the senseless man doesn't know (92:6)?

In the text

The WEB ends 92:6 with a colon, and 92:7 says what this is: "A senseless man doesn’t know, neither does a fool understand this" (92:6), "though the wicked spring up as the grass, and all the evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever" (92:7). What he doesn't know is how the wicked end. Then the psalm sets the LORD beside that forever: "But you, LORD, are on high forever more" (92:8). Psalm 73 says its psalmist was once like this, in the same Hebrew: "I was so senseless and ignorant" (Psalm 73:22), where senseless is ba'ar (tap senseless) and ignorant is "not" with 92:6's verb know. It also says what changed: "When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me" (Psalm 73:16), "until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end" (Psalm 73:17). In Hebrew, 73:16's understand this is 92:6's know and this.

The verses

“A senseless man doesn’t know, neither does a fool understand this: though the wicked spring up as the grass, and all the evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever. But you, LORD, are on high forever more.”
Psalm 92:6-8 · World English Bible
“When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me— until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end.”
Psalm 73:16-17 · World English Bible
“I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.”
Psalm 73:22 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 92

Psalm 92: Fruit in old age

In Psalm 92 the wicked "spring up as the grass" (92:7) and the righteous "flourish like the palm tree" (92:12) with one Hebrew verb, parach. What differs is what lasts: the wicked "will be destroyed forever" (92:7), and the righteous "will still produce fruit in old age" (92:14).

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 92 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Psalm 92

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