Psalms 9:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

The LORD is known [by] the judgment [which] he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

Complete Jewish Bible:

ADONAI made himself known and executed judgment; the wicked are ensnared in the work of their own hands. (Higgayon; Selah)

Berean Standard Bible:

The LORD is known by the justice He brings; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Higgaion Selah

American Standard Version:

Jehovah hath made himself known, he hath executed judgment: The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. [Higgaion. Selah

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

The LORD^{H3068} is known^{H3045} by the judgment^{H4941} which he executeth^{H6213}: the wicked^{H7563} is snared^{H5367} in the work^{H6467} of his own hands^{H3709}. Higgaion^{H1902}. Selah^{H5542}.

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Commentary for Psalms 9:16

Psalm 9:16, which in some translations may be numbered as Psalm 9:17, is part of a larger psalm attributed to David, which is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving for God's righteous judgments and His role as a defender of the oppressed and a judge of the nations. The verse reflects several key themes prevalent in the Hebrew Scriptures.

Firstly, the verse emphasizes the notion that God is known through His actions, particularly through His judgments. The idea here is that God's character is revealed in the way He governs the world and in the way He deals with humanity, especially in terms of justice. The verse suggests that God's justice is not arbitrary but is an expression of His nature.

Secondly, the verse introduces the concept of poetic justice, where the "wicked is snared in the work of his own hands." This speaks to the belief that evil deeds will ultimately lead to the downfall of those who perpetrate them. It is a warning against wickedness and an affirmation that God's justice prevails even when the wicked seem to prosper temporarily. The imagery of being snared implies that the wicked are trapped by their own actions, indicating a self-inflicted consequence rather than an external punishment.

The term "Higgaion" appears only here and in Psalm 19:14 in the Hebrew Bible, and its exact meaning is uncertain. It is thought to be a musical or liturgical direction, possibly indicating a meditative or solemn pause, which would suggest that the worshippers should reflect deeply on the truths just expressed.

"Selah" is another term whose meaning is not entirely clear but is commonly understood to be an instruction for a musical interlude or a call to pause and reflect on the words that have been sung or recited. It is found frequently in the Psalms and is often associated with a shift in the musical or liturgical presentation.

Historically, this psalm would have been sung or recited in the context of temple worship in Jerusalem, where the people of Israel would gather to celebrate God's goodness and to reaffirm their trust in His sovereign justice. The themes of this verse and the psalm as a whole would have provided comfort and assurance to the faithful, reminding them that despite the apparent triumphs of evil, God's justice would ultimately prevail.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3045
   There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָדַע
   Transliteration: yâdaʻ
   Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
   Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4941
   There are 406 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִשְׁפָּט
   Transliteration: mishpâṭ
   Pronunciation: mish-pawt'
   Description: from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style; [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7563
   There are 249 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָשָׁע
   Transliteration: râshâʻ
   Pronunciation: raw-shaw'
   Description: from רָשַׁע; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person; [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5367
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָקַשׁ
   Transliteration: nâqash
   Pronunciation: naw-kash'
   Description: a primitive root; to entrap (with a noose), literally or figuratively; catch (lay a) snare.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6467
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פֹּעַל
   Transliteration: pôʻal
   Pronunciation: po'-al
   Description: from פָּעַל; an act or work (concretely); act, deed, do, getting, maker, work.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3709
   There are 180 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כַּף
   Transliteration: kaph
   Pronunciation: kaf
   Description: from כָּפַף; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); figuratively, power; branch, [phrase] foot, hand((-ful), -dle, (-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon.
   
9. Strong's Number: H1902
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הִגָּיוֹן
   Transliteration: higgâyôwn
   Pronunciation: hig-gaw-yone'
   Description: intensive from הָגָה; a murmuring sound, i.e. a musical notation (probably similar to the modern affettuoso to indicate solemnity of movement); by implication, a machination; device, Higgaion, meditation, solemn sound.
   
10. Strong's Number: H5542
    There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: סֶלָה
    Transliteration: çelâh
    Pronunciation: seh'-law
    Description: from סָלָה; suspension (of music), i.e. pause; Selah.