Arise, Yahweh! Don’t let man prevail. Let the nations be judged in your sight.
Parallel Translations
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Arise, Yahweh! Don’t let man prevail. Let the nations be judged in your sight.
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Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
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(9-20) Arise, O LORD, let not man prevail; let the nations be judged in Thy sight.
Cross-references (23)
Passages linked to Psalms 9:19 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Psalms 3:7 Arise, Yahweh! Save me, my God! For you have struck all of my enemies on the cheek bone. You have broken the teeth of the wicked.
- Psalms 44:23 Wake up! Why do you sleep, Lord? Arise! Don’t reject us forever.
- Psalms 44:26 Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness’ sake.
- Psalms 7:6 Arise, Yahweh, in your anger. Lift up yourself against the rage of my adversaries. Awake for me. You have commanded judgment.
- Psalms 10:12 Arise, Yahweh! God, lift up your hand! Don’t forget the helpless.
- Psalms 74:22-23 Arise, God! Plead your own cause. Remember how the foolish man mocks you all day. Don’t forget the voice of your adversaries. The tumult of those who rise up against you ascends continually.
- Revelation 19:15 Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the wine press of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.
- Genesis 32:28 He said, “Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
- Psalms 79:6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that don’t know you, on the kingdoms that don’t call on your name;
- Psalms 149:7 to execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples;
- Isaiah 51:9 Awake, awake, put on strength, arm of Yahweh! Awake, as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Isn’t it you who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the monster?
- Jeremiah 10:25 Pour out your wrath on the nations that don’t know you, and on the families that don’t call on your name; for they have devoured Jacob. Yes, they have devoured him, consumed him, and have laid waste his habitation.
- Joel 3:12 “Let the nations arouse themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.
- Zephaniah 3:8 “Therefore wait for me”, says Yahweh, “until the day that I rise up to the prey, for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour on them my indignation, even all my fierce anger, for all the earth will be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
- 1 Samuel 2:9 He will keep the feet of his holy ones, but the wicked will be put to silence in darkness; for no man will prevail by strength.
- 2 Chronicles 14:11 Asa cried to Yahweh his God, and said, “Yahweh, there is no one besides you to help, between the mighty and him who has no strength. Help us, Yahweh our God; for we rely on you, and in your name are we come against this multitude. Yahweh, you are our God. Don’t let man prevail against you.”
- Psalms 2:1-3 Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his Anointed, saying, “Let’s break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us.”
- Psalms 68:1-2 Let God arise! Let his enemies be scattered! Let them who hate him also flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away. As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
- Psalms 76:8-9 You pronounced judgment from heaven. The earth feared, and was silent, when God arose to judgment, to save all the afflicted ones of the earth.
- Psalms 80:2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might! Come to save us!
- Isaiah 42:13-14 Yahweh will go out like a mighty man. He will stir up zeal like a man of war. He will raise a war cry. Yes, he will shout aloud. He will triumph over his enemies. “I have been silent a long time. I have been quiet and restrained myself. Now I will cry out like a travailing woman. I will both gasp and pant.
- Micah 5:15 I will execute vengeance in anger, and wrath on the nations that didn’t listen.”
- Zechariah 14:18 If the family of Egypt doesn’t go up, and doesn’t come, neither will it rain on them. This will be the plague with which Yahweh will strike the nations that don’t go up to keep the feast of booths.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (14 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 19. Arise, O Jehovah. When David beseeches God to…
19. Arise, O Jehovah. When David beseeches God to arise, the expression does not strictly apply to God, but it refers to external appearance and to our senses; for we do not perceive God to be the deliverer of his people except when he appears before our eyes, as it were sitting upon the judgment-seat. There is added a consideration or reason to induce God to avenge the injuries done to his people, namely, that man may not prevail; for when God arises, all the fierceness “Toute la fierte et arrogance.” — Fr. “All the pride and arrogance.”
“Leur rage et insolence.” — Fr. “Their rage and insolence.”
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“Solo nutu.” - Lat. “Enfaisant signe seulement du bout du doigt.” — Fr.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Psa 9:19 Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail:…
Psa 9:19 Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
Ver. 19. Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail] Prayers are the Church’s weapons, her bombardae et instrumenta bellica (Luther), whereby she is terrible as an army with banners; she prays down her enemies.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain Put them in fear, O Lord,.... Who are, a…
Put them in fear, O Lord,.... Who are, a bold, impudent, fearless generation of men; who, like the unjust judge, neither fear God nor regard men, therefore the psalmist prays that God would inject fear into them, who only can do it; and this will be done at Babylon's destruction, when the antichristian kings, merchants, and seafaring men, will stand afar off for fear of her torment, Rev 18:10;
that the nations may know themselves to be but men; and not God, and have no power against him; see Isa 31:3; the sense is, that the antichristian nations, who oppose themselves to Christ and his people, may know that they are but frail, mortal, miserable men, as the word (q) signifies; and that he who is at the head of them, the man of sin, is no other, though he exalts himself above all that is called God, Th2 2:4; or these words are a prayer for the conversion of many among the nations, and may be rendered, "put, O Lord, fear in them" (r); that is, the true grace of fear, "that the nations may know" themselves, their sin and guilt and danger, and know God in Christ, and Christ, and the way of salvation by him; for at the word "know" should be a stop, concluding a proposition, since the accent "athnach" is there; and then follows another, "they are men. Selah": destitute of the fear and grace of God, are capable of it, but cannot give it to themselves.
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Selah; on this word; see Gill on Psa 3:2.
(q) "mortales esse", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Gejerus; "homines miseri", Cocceius, Michaelis; "sorry men", Ainsworth. (r) "pone timorem eis", so Junius and Tremellius, Piscator, Pagninus, Montanus, Cocceius, Ainsworth.
Next: Psalms Chapter 10
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 19. Arise, O Lord] Let this be the…
Verse 19. Arise, O Lord] Let this be the time in which thou wilt deliver thy poor people under oppression and persecution.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain Psa 9:19-20. Arise, O Lord — Stir up thyself,…
Psa 9:19-20. Arise, O Lord — Stir up thyself, exert thy power: let not man prevail — Consult thine own honour and let not men, Hebrew, weak, miserable, and mortal men, prevail against the kingdom and interest of the almighty and immortal God: shall mortal man be too hard for God, too strong for his Maker? Let the heathen be judged in thy sight — Let them be evidently called to an account for all the dishonour done to thee, and the mischief done to thy people. Impenitent sinners will be punished in God’s sight, and when their day of grace is over, the bowels even of infinite mercy will not relent toward them, Rev 14:10. Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men — Subdue their proud and insolent spirits, strike a terror upon them, and make them afraid of thy judgments. God knows how to make the strongest and stoutest of men to tremble, and to flee when none pursues. That the nations may know themselves to be but men — Weak, miserable, and mortal men, and therefore altogether unable to oppose the omnipotent and eternal God. He speaks thus because wicked men, when they are advanced to great power and majesty, are very prone to forget their own frailty, and to carry themselves as if they were gods: and because it is much for the glory of God, and the peace and welfare of the world, that all, even the highest and haughtiest, should know and consider themselves to be dependant, mutable, mortal, and accountable creatures.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain Arise, O Lord - See the notes at Psa…
Arise, O Lord - See the notes at Psa 3:7.
Let not man prevail - Against thee and thy cause. The war waged against the psalmist he regarded as waged against God, and he calls upon him, therefore, to interpose and vindicate his own cause. The word rendered “prevail” is be strong; that is, let not man seem to be stronger than thou art, or let, him not succeed in his efforts in opposing thy cause.
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Let the heathen be judged in thy sight - The nations to whom the writer had referred in the psalm, that were arrayed against him and against God. He desired that a just judgment should be passed on them, and that God would vindicate the righteous, and save them from the power of those who oppressed and wronged them.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain Arise--(compare Psa 4:7).
Arise--(compare Psa 4:7).
let not man-- (Psa 8:4).
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let . . . be judged--and of course condemned.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 19, 20. The closing strophe is an urgent call…
19, 20. The closing strophe is an urgent call for hastening the righteous judgments of God.
Know themselves to be but men—That is, that they may understand their true character and condition as mortal and sinful “men,” as the word denotes. When men learn to know themselves truly they will fear and obey God.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 19, 20. This stanza should begin with Kaph, but…
19, 20. This stanza should begin with Kaph, but (if the text is sound) the similar letter Qoph is substituted for it. [Kaph is prefixed to Psa_9:18 in Dr Scrivener’s text; but this verse belongs to the stanza of Yod.] It is a prayer for further and still more complete judgment upon the nations, that they may be taught to know their human weakness.
Arise, O Jehovah; let not mortal man wax strong:
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Let the nations be Judged in thy presence.
Ordain terror for them, O Jehovah,
Let the nations know they are but mortal.
The word for ‘man’ (enôsh) denotes man in his weakness as contrasted with God (2Ch_14:11; Job_4:17; Isa_51:7; Isa_51:12). ‘Strength’ is the prerogative of God (Psa_62:11); though men and nations are apt to think that it is inherent in themselves (Psa_52:7); and therefore the Psalmist prays that the proud antagonism of the nations may receive a salutary lesson. They are to be summoned to Jehovah’s presence and there judged.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (19) Let not man prevail.—Better, let not mere man…
(19) Let not man prevail.—Better, let not mere man be defiant.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Arise, O Lord. (comp. Psa_7:6, and the comment ad…
Arise, O Lord. (comp. Psa_7:6, and the comment ad loc. ) Let not man prevail; or, let not weak man prevail. The word used for "man," enosh, carries with it the idea of weakness. That "weak man" should prevail over God is preposterous. Let the heathen be judged in thy sight. If judged, then, as being wicked, condemned; if condemned, then punished defeated, ruined, brought to nought (see ver. 5).
Vers. 19, 20. An appeal to God.
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"Arise, O Lord," etc. The mysteries of life are no modern discovery. They perplexed and oppressed the souls of ancient saints, often well-nigh to the overthrow of faith. They are aggravated and emphasized by the fact, which we perhaps fail sufficiently to grasp, that Israel stood alone among nations as the witness to the unity, holiness, and truth of God. The host of surrounding peoples, some of them at the very summit of worldly greatness, worshipped "gods many and lords many." Hence Israel"s enemies could not but be regarded as God"s enemies; Israel"s cause as God"s cause.
I AN APPEAL TO GOD AS THE LORD OF THE WHOLE WORLD, to manifest his sovereignty. The word for "man" expresses mortal weakness. Q.d.: "Let not weak mortals fancy themselves strong enough, or seem to others strong enough, to defy thy rule, break thy Law, disregard thy displeasure." Ver. 8 shows that the world of mankind is in view, not merely Israel. The broad universal spirit of the Old Testament Scriptures is among the notes of inspiration. In the sacred enclosure of Israel the psalmist saw men sinning against light; in the great outlying world of heathendom he saw them sinning without the light of revelation. (Rom_2:12-14) But in all, the root-mischief is the same human self-will. If all men, instead of pleasing themselves, set themselves to do God"s will, a change would pass over all life, private and public, like the breaking forth of spring out of winter. Faith does not dictate to God how or when men are to be brought to their right senses; to see that God is God, and men "but men weak, frail, ignorant, sinful. But faith longs and pleads that it be done.
II THERE ARE TIMES AND CIRCUMSTANCES which give to this appeal special urgency. In ancient Israel, when idolatry threatened to suppress true religion; or heathen invaders threatened the national existence. For the Christians of the first three centuries, in the deadly persecutions of the Roman emperors. For lovers of God"s pure Word and of freedom, during the dark years before the Reformation, in the gigantic growth of superstition, corruption, and ecclesiastical tyranny. The blood of Albigenses, Lollards, Huguenots, and a great army of martyrs beside, seemed to cry for vengeance. (Rev_6:10) In our own time the frightful prevalence of crime and vice, and of squalid misery in the midst of wasteful luxury; the murderous war-preparations of Christian nations; the slow progress of the gospel where it is matched against the mighty forces of heathenism, Buddhism, Mohammedanism; and the bold and subtle forms of atheism or unbelief that fill the very atmosphere of our age; all these awaken in our hearts this earnest, passionate longing; try our faith with this deep perplexity. (Isa_64:1) Multitudes of earnest Christians find no comfort but in the belief that the second coming of the Lord is near at hand. They echo St. John"s "come quickly". (Rev_22:20)
III THE GOSPEL SHEDS A LIGHT ON THIS MYSTERY, which prophets and kings of old longed for, but could not see. (see 2Pe_3:9 1Ti_2:3) God could crush and stamp out sin, and destroy sinners quickly enough, by his almighty power. But his amazing purpose has been and is to "overcome evil with good;" subdue unbelief and rebellion, not by vengeance, but love. Mercy rejoices against judgment. The cross grace and truth by Jesus Christ-exerts a power impossible before. The prophets show the possibility of the penitent being pardoned. (Isa_1:18 Eze_33:11, etc.) Yet Manasseh"s conversion is almost a solitary instance. The regeneration of a nation as of nations of cannibal savages in our own day by the preaching of the gospel was a thing impossible. Hence inspired psalmists saw no alternative but either the prosperity of the wicked or their destruction. (Luk_9:54 56 24:46, 47) But power will not always sleep, nor judgment tarry. (2Pe_3:7, 10 2Th_1:7, 2Th_1:9)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Charles H. Spurgeon 1885 · Public Domain Ver. 19. Prayers are the believer's weapons of war.…
Ver. 19. Prayers are the believer's weapons of war. When the battle is too hard for us, we call in our great ally, who, as it were, lies in ambush until faith gives the signal by crying out,
Arise, O Lord. Although our cause be all but lost, it shall be soon won again, if the Almighty doth but bestir himself. He will not suffer man to prevail over God, but with swift judgments will confound their gloryings. In the very sight of God the wicked will be punished, and he who is now all tenderness will have no bowels of compassion for them, since they had no tears of repentance while their day of grace endured.
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Ver. 19. Arise, O Lord, etc. What does this mean? Are we to consider the psalmist as praying for the destruction of his enemies, as pronouncing a malediction, a curse upon them? No; these are not the words of one who is wishing that mischief may happen to his enemies; they are the words of a prophet, of one who is foretelling, in Scripture language, the evil that must befall them on account of their sins. Augustine.
Ver. 19. Let not man prevail. A powerful plea. Cases when employed in Scripture. The reason of its power. Times for its use.
Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 Getting up represents starting to do something. AT: "Do…
Arise
Getting up represents starting to do something. AT: "Do something" or "Take action" (See: Metonymy)
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man
people
be judged
Here judging represents punishing. AT: "be punished" (See: Metonymy)
in your sight
Here sight represents presence. AT: "in your presence" (See: Metonymy)
may the nations be judged in your sight
This can be stated in active form. AT: "judge the nations in your presence" or "take the nations into your presence and punish them" (See: Active or Passive)
translationWords
raise
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 9:19-20 The psalmist ends his lament with a prayer…
9:19-20 The psalmist ends his lament with a prayer for the Lord’s intervention and divine vengeance. • mere mortals . . . merely human: Humans who have received authority and glory sometimes become oppressive and assume glory for themselves (see 8:4; 10:18).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.