Psalms 32:9

Be ye not as the horse, [or] as the mule, [which] have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

Be ye not as the horse {H5483}, or as the mule {H6505}, which have no understanding {H995}: whose mouth {H5716} must be held {H1102} in with bit {H4964} and bridle {H7448}, lest {H1077} they come near {H7126} unto thee.

Don't be like a horse or mule that has no understanding, that has to be curbed with bit and bridle, or else it won't come near you.

Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.

Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding; Whose trappings must be bit and bridle to hold them in, Elsethey will not come near unto thee.

Psalm 32:9 KJV serves as a vivid warning and an exhortation to embrace divine instruction willingly, contrasting human understanding with the brute instinct of animals. This verse concludes a section where King David reflects on the blessedness of forgiveness and God's promise of guidance.

Context

This verse is part of a "maskil," or instruction psalm, penned by David. Following his deep reflection on the blessing of confessed sin and divine forgiveness (Psalm 32:1-5), David then describes God's faithful guidance and protection for the righteous (Psalm 32:6-8). Verse 9 acts as a direct admonition to the reader, urging them not to resist God's counsel but to respond with a teachable spirit. The imagery of horses and mules was highly relatable in ancient Israel, as these animals were common and known for their strength and occasional stubbornness, requiring external control.

Key Themes

  • Willing Obedience vs. Stubborn Resistance: The central message is an appeal for humanity to respond to God's guidance with a willing heart, rather than resisting like an unthinking animal that must be forced into submission.
  • The Value of Understanding: Unlike animals that lack rational thought (the Hebrew word for "understanding," bin, implies discernment and insight), humans are endowed with the capacity to comprehend and respond to divine wisdom. This verse calls us to use that capacity.
  • Divine Guidance and Discipline: God desires to guide His people gently, through His word and Spirit, as described in Psalm 32:8. However, if humans are stubborn and refuse to listen, God, in His love, may resort to "bit and bridle"—forms of discipline or circumstances designed to bring them back into alignment.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "no understanding" translates the Hebrew word bin (בִּין), which goes beyond mere intellectual comprehension to imply discernment, insight, and the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, wisdom and folly. The "bit and bridle" (מֶתֶג וָרֶסֶן - metheg va-resen) are instruments of control, necessary for powerful and uncooperative animals, highlighting the severity of the control needed when one refuses to yield voluntarily.

Practical Application

This verse challenges believers to examine their response to God's voice. Do we exhibit a teachable spirit, eager to receive and obey His instruction, or are we prone to stubbornness, requiring God to use "bit and bridle" methods to correct our path? It encourages a humble and responsive heart, recognizing that God's guidance is always for our good. Cultivating a spirit of quick obedience avoids the harder lessons that come from resistance, leading to a deeper, more trusting relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Proverbs 26:3

    ¶ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

  • Jeremiah 4:22

    For my people [is] foolish, they have not known me; they [are] sottish children, and they have none understanding: they [are] wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

  • James 4:7

    Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

  • James 4:10

    Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

  • Job 35:11

    Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?

  • Jeremiah 8:6

    I hearkened and heard, [but] they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.

  • Jeremiah 8:7

    Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.

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