Psalms 146:9

KJV

The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} preserveth {H8104} the strangers {H1616}; he relieveth {H5749} the fatherless {H3490} and widow {H490}: but the way {H1870} of the wicked {H7563} he turneth upside down {H5791}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI watches over strangers, he sustains the fatherless and widows; but the way of the wicked he twists.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD protects foreigners; He sustains the fatherless and the widow, but the ways of the wicked He frustrates.

American Standard Version

Jehovah preserveth the sojourners; He upholdeth the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 146:9 powerfully declares the LORD's unwavering commitment to justice and compassion, contrasting His active preservation of the vulnerable—strangers, the fatherless, and widows—with His decisive overturning of the wicked's schemes. This verse encapsulates a core biblical truth: God is not a passive observer but an engaged sovereign who champions the cause of the marginalized and ensures that evil does not ultimately prevail, thereby affirming His righteous character and providing a secure foundation for trust.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 146 initiates the final collection of five "Hallelujah Psalms" (Psalms 146-150), each beginning and ending with the exhortation "Praise ye the LORD." This psalm serves as a profound call to worship, grounded in the character and actions of God. It opens by urging the soul to praise the LORD (e.g., [Psalms 146:1-2](/psalms/146-1 "Psalms 146:1-2 - Call to Praise")), then immediately contrasts the unreliability of human power and princes with the steadfast faithfulness of God ([Psalms 146:3-4](/psalms/146-3 "Psalms 146:3-4 - Do Not Trust in Princes")). The psalm then shifts to detailing God's specific acts of righteousness and care for the oppressed, the hungry, the prisoners, the blind, and those who are bowed down ([Psalms 146:7-8](/psalms/146-7 "Psalms 146:7-8 - God's Justice and Care")). Verse 9 specifically elaborates on this theme of divine care for the most vulnerable, while simultaneously affirming God's opposition to wickedness, leading into the declaration of His eternal reign ([Psalms 146:10](/psalms/146-10 "Psalms 146:10 - The Lord Reigns Forever")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, "strangers" (or sojourners), "fatherless" (orphans), and "widows" constituted the most vulnerable demographic groups. Lacking the traditional familial or tribal support structures, they were often without legal protection, economic security, or social standing. The Mosaic Law frequently emphasized God's special concern for these groups, mandating their protection and provision (e.g., [Deuteronomy 10:18-19](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18-19 - God Loves the Sojourner, Orphan, and Widow"), [Exodus 22:22-24](/exodus/22-22 "Exodus 22:22-24 - Do Not Oppress the Widow or Orphan")). Oppression of these groups was considered a grave offense against God Himself ([Malachi 3:5](/malachi/3-5 "Malachi 3:5 - God's Judgment on Oppressors")). This context underscores the radical nature of God's direct intervention on behalf of those whom society often neglected or exploited, highlighting His unique character as the ultimate defender of justice for the defenseless.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 146:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Compassion and Protection**, showcasing God's active involvement in preserving and relieving those most susceptible to hardship and injustice. Secondly, it underscores God's commitment to **Social Justice**, presenting Him as the ultimate champion for the oppressed and those without a voice, whose character demands the upholding and protection of the vulnerable. Thirdly, the contrast between God's care for the upright and His opposition to the wicked highlights **God's Sovereignty and Righteous Judgment**, assuring that evil schemes will not ultimately prevail. Finally, the verse reinforces the **Reliability of God**, demonstrating that unlike fallible human beings or rulers ([Psalms 146:3](/psalms/146-3 "Psalms 146:3 - Do Not Trust in Princes")), God's commitment to justice and compassion is unwavering, providing a secure foundation for trust and hope.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God, H3068, emphasizing His self-existent, eternal nature. It signifies the personal, relational God who is faithful to His promises and actively involved in the affairs of His creation. The use of "LORD" here highlights that it is the sovereign, unchanging God who performs these acts of justice and mercy.
* **strangers (Hebrew, _gêr'_):** H1616, properly a guest, by implication a foreigner or sojourner. This term refers to non-native residents who lived among the Israelites, often without land, family ties, or legal rights enjoyed by citizens. God's preservation of the _gêr_ demonstrates His universal compassion extending beyond the covenant community to all who are vulnerable.
* **turneth upside down (Hebrew, _ʻâvath'_):** H5791, a primitive root meaning to wrest, make crooked, pervert, or subvert. This vivid phrase illustrates God's active intervention to frustrate, thwart, or ruin the plans and paths of the wicked. It implies a forceful, decisive action that brings their intentions to naught, exposes their folly, and ensures that their perverted ways do not ultimately succeed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD preserveth the strangers":** This clause establishes God's active and protective role. The word "preserveth" (Hebrew _shâmar_, H8104) denotes a watchful, deliberate care, an active guarding and keeping that ensures safety and continuance. God is not merely observing but actively intervening to protect those who are most vulnerable and often exploited—the foreigners and sojourners in their midst.
* **"he relieveth the fatherless and widow":** Building on the theme of divine care, this clause specifies two more groups particularly susceptible to hardship and injustice in ancient society: orphans and widows. The word "relieveth" (Hebrew _ʻûwd_, H5749) carries meanings of duplicating, repeating, or restoring, but also to protest or testify. In this context, it implies God's action to uphold, support, and restore these marginalized individuals, giving them a firm standing and alleviating their distress, acting as their advocate and provider.
* **"but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down":** This final clause provides a stark contrast, revealing the other side of God's justice. While He champions the oppressed, He actively opposes the oppressor. "The way of the wicked" (Hebrew _derek râshâʻ_, H1870, H7563) refers to their course of life, their plans, their actions, and their moral corruption. God "turneth upside down" (Hebrew _ʻâvath_, H5791) their path, meaning He twists, perverts, or subverts their intentions, bringing their evil designs to ruin and demonstrating His ultimate sovereignty over all human endeavors, ensuring that injustice does not have the final word.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Antithesis** is central, contrasting God's benevolent preservation and relief of the vulnerable with His decisive overturning of the wicked's path. This sharp juxtaposition highlights God's dual nature as both merciful protector and righteous judge. **Personification** is subtly present in "the way of the wicked," as if the "way" itself can be turned upside down, emphasizing the totality of God's disruption of their plans and actions. The phrase "turneth upside down" is a vivid **idiom** or **metaphor**, creating a strong visual image of complete reversal and frustration, conveying God's active and forceful intervention against injustice. The consistent use of active verbs ("preserveth," "relieveth," "turneth upside down") underscores God's **agency** and direct involvement in the world, reinforcing His character as a God who acts on behalf of justice and mercy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 146:9 serves as a profound theological statement about the character of God, revealing Him as utterly unique in His unwavering commitment to justice and compassion. Unlike human rulers who may fail, oppress, or be unreliable, the LORD is consistently portrayed as the ultimate defender of the defenseless and the righteous judge of the wicked. This verse underscores the biblical emphasis on caring for the marginalized as a reflection of God's own heart, making social justice not merely a societal ideal but a divine imperative. It teaches that true security and hope are found not in human power or wealth, but in the steadfast, just, and compassionate God who actively governs His creation and defends the defenseless.

* [Deuteronomy 10:18-19](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18-19 - God's Love for the Alien, Fatherless, and Widow")
* [Proverbs 23:10-11](/proverbs/23-10 "Proverbs 23:10-11 - Do Not Remove Ancient Landmarks or Oppress the Fatherless")
* [James 1:27](/james/1-27 "James 1:27 - Pure and Undefiled Religion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers a profound mirror for believers, calling us to embody the very character of God in our daily lives. If the LORD actively preserves the strangers, relieves the fatherless, and upholds the widow, then His followers are likewise called to extend radical hospitality, compassionate care, and unwavering advocacy for the most vulnerable in our contemporary society. This includes immigrants, refugees, orphans, neglected children, the elderly, and those who are economically or socially disadvantaged. It challenges us to move beyond passive sympathy to active engagement, seeking out opportunities to be instruments of God's justice and mercy. Furthermore, the verse offers immense comfort and assurance, reminding us that even when the wicked seem to prosper or injustice appears to triumph, God's sovereignty remains absolute. We are encouraged to trust in His ultimate justice, knowing that He will, in His perfect timing, "turn upside down" the ways of those who oppose righteousness. This truth empowers us to persevere in doing good, confident that our labor for justice is not in vain, but aligns with the eternal purposes of a righteous God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways can I, or my community, actively "preserve the strangers" and "relieve the fatherless and widow" in our local context?**
* **How does trusting in God's promise to "turn upside down the way of the wicked" impact my perspective when faced with apparent injustice or evil in the world?**
* **What specific actions can I take to advocate for or support marginalized groups, reflecting God's heart for justice and compassion?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that God "preserveth the strangers"?**

Answer: This means that God actively protects and watches over foreigners or sojourners who are living in a land not their own. In ancient Israel, these "strangers" (Hebrew _gêr_) were often vulnerable, lacking the social and legal protections afforded to native citizens. God's commitment to preserving them highlights His universal compassion and His expectation that His people would also extend hospitality and justice to those outside their immediate kinship or national group, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 10:18-19](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18-19 - God Loves the Alien, Orphan, and Widow").

**Why are "fatherless and widow" specifically mentioned alongside "strangers"?**

Answer: The "fatherless" (orphans) and "widows" were, along with strangers, the most vulnerable and often exploited groups in ancient Near Eastern societies. They lacked the patriarchal protection and economic support typically provided by male family members. Throughout the Old Testament, God consistently identifies Himself as their special protector and advocate, commanding His people to care for them. Their inclusion in this verse underscores God's deep concern for the marginalized and His active role in upholding the rights and well-being of those who cannot defend themselves, as emphasized in [Exodus 22:22](/exodus/22-22 "Exodus 22:22 - Do Not Afflict Any Widow or Fatherless Child").

**How does God "turn upside down the way of the wicked"?**

Answer: To "turn upside down" (Hebrew _ʻâvath_) implies that God actively thwarts, frustrates, and subverts the plans, schemes, and entire course of life of those who practice wickedness. It's not merely that their plans fail, but that God actively intervenes to ensure their perverted ways lead to their own undoing or expose their folly. This demonstrates God's ultimate sovereignty and His commitment to justice, ensuring that evil does not ultimately triumph, as also seen in [Proverbs 11:5](/proverbs/11-5 "Proverbs 11:5 - The Righteousness of the Blameless Directs Their Way").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 146:9 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the LORD who perfectly embodies the compassion and justice described in this psalm. Jesus consistently demonstrated His care for the vulnerable and marginalized throughout His earthly ministry, actively seeking out and ministering to the "strangers" (the Samaritans, the Gentiles, those outside the Jewish fold, as in [John 4](/john/4 "John 4 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman")), the "fatherless" (those spiritually orphaned and lost, offering them adoption into God's family, as in [Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption")), and the "widows" (like the widow of Nain, whom He raised her son for, as recounted in [Luke 7:11-17](/luke/7-11 "Luke 7:11-17 - Jesus Raises the Widow's Son")). Moreover, Jesus perfectly fulfilled the promise that God "turneth upside down the way of the wicked." Through His crucifixion and resurrection, He decisively triumphed over the wicked schemes of Satan, sin, and death, subverting their power and ultimately bringing their dominion to naught ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). The cross, which appeared to be the ultimate victory of wickedness, was in fact God's ultimate act of turning the wicked's way upside down, establishing His righteous kingdom and offering salvation to all who trust in Him ([1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross")). Thus, Christ is the compassionate King who defends the defenseless and the victorious Lord who has decisively overthrown the power of evil.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 68:5

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, [is] God in his holy habitation.

Psalms 147:6

The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

Deuteronomy 10:18

He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.

Deuteronomy 10:19

Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Proverbs 15:25

¶ The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

Exodus 22:21

Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Exodus 22:22

Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.