Put Them in Fear - Psalms 9:20

In Psalms chapter nine David said, “The LORD is known by the judgment which he executes: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever. Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in your sight”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty of Psalms David said, “Put them in fear, O LORD” where we read,

Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

The verse begins, “Put them in fear, O LORD:” David began with the words, “Put them in fear” which means “set, station, appoint and fix the heathen with dread, terror and awe inspiring reverence”, “O LORD” or “O Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. David called upon Jehovah God to appoint the heathen people to a state of terror and reverence toward Him.

The verse continues, “that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.” David added the words, “that the nations” or “so the pagan, non-Hebrew, Gentile people” “may know themselves” which means “will perceive, see, find out and discern that they exist” “to be but men” or “to exist as only mortal people whether male or female”. “Selah” which means “lift up, exalt and pause to think about it”. David said the reason Jehovah God should “set the heathen people” in “terror, dread and reverence” is so they would realize they are only “mortal man” compared to Him.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how David asked Jehovah God to station people who were pagan and wicked in a position of reverence and dread so they would understand they are only “mortal people” compared to the Almighty Creator God. This idea is worthy of all who read these words to pause and think through all the requests and statements made by David in this Psalm. God is worthy to be praised, and even as He is the Creator and maker of all things, He desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, we understand the mighty worth of God and His plan of “Salvation”, and He will forgive our sins and grant us eternal life as we yield to Him. Let us give glory and honor to Jehovah God and His Son Jesus as we commit the judgment of the “heathen” over to Him.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see David ask, “Why stand you afar off, O LORD?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".