Psalms 7:9

KJV

Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

KJV (with Strong's)

Oh let the wickedness {H7451} of the wicked {H7563} come to an end {H1584}; but establish {H3559} the just {H6662}: for the righteous {H6662} God {H430} trieth {H974} the hearts {H3826} and reins {H3629}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and establish the righteous; since you, righteous God, test hearts and minds.

Berean Standard Bible

Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds.

American Standard Version

Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish thou the righteous: For the righteous God trieth the minds and hearts.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 7:9 is a fervent and profound prayer for divine justice, articulating a deep-seated trust in God's perfect and infallible discernment. The psalmist, appealing to the Almighty, cries out for the definitive cessation of all wickedness and the firm establishment of the righteous. This impassioned plea is grounded in the foundational and comforting truth that God, as the righteous judge, meticulously scrutinizes and understands the innermost being of every individual, examining both their conscious thoughts and their deepest, most hidden motivations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 7:9 is nestled within Psalm 7, a "Shiggaion of David," a term suggesting a passionate, perhaps erratically structured, and deeply emotional song or lament. The superscription attributes it to David "concernings the words of Cush the Benjamite," indicating a period of intense personal distress, likely involving false accusations or persecution. The psalm begins with David's desperate cry for deliverance and vindication, asserting his innocence before God (e.g., [Psalms 7:3-5](/psalms/7-3 "Psalms 7:3-5 - David's Plea of Innocence")). He appeals to God as his righteous judge, asking for divine intervention against his adversaries who seek his ruin. Verse 9 serves as a pivotal point, transitioning from David's personal vindication to a broader, universal desire for God's justice to prevail, confident that God's judgment is based on an absolute understanding of truth, not mere outward appearance or human testimony. This verse encapsulates the psalm's central tension between human injustice and divine righteousness, culminating in a declaration of God's ultimate authority and righteous judgment over all creation (cf. [Psalms 7:17](/psalms/7-17 "Psalms 7:17 - David Praises God's Righteousness")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The specific historical context of "Cush the Benjamite" remains elusive, as he is not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. However, the superscription points to a period of intense opposition and slander against David, a common experience throughout his life (e.g., during Saul's pursuit or Absalom's rebellion). In ancient Israel, justice was ideally administered by judges and elders at the city gate, but corruption and human fallibility were recognized. Therefore, appeals to God as the ultimate, righteous Judge were common, especially when human avenues for justice seemed closed or compromised. The concept of God "trying the hearts and reins" was deeply ingrained in the Israelite worldview, reflecting a belief in God's omniscience that transcended human perception. Unlike human judges who could only assess external actions and testimonies, the God of Israel was understood to penetrate the very core of a person's being, discerning their true character and motives. This belief provided immense comfort to the unjustly accused and served as a profound warning to those who practiced deceit or wickedness in secret.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 7:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Judgment**, portraying God as the ultimate arbiter who will infallibly bring an end to wickedness and uphold the upright. This reflects a deep conviction in God's moral governance of the world, where evil will not eternally triumph (see [Psalms 9:7-8](/psalms/9-7 "Psalms 9:7-8 - God's Eternal Throne and Judgment")). Secondly, the verse highlights **God's Omniscience and Discernment**, particularly through the phrase "trieth the hearts and reins." This emphasizes that God sees beyond external actions, penetrating the deepest thoughts, motives, and intentions of every individual, a truth that provides both comfort to the innocent and a solemn warning to the wicked (as seen in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")). Thirdly, there is the theme of **The Establishment of the Just**, a positive outcome sought beyond mere punishment of evil. The prayer seeks God's active role in making firm and securing those who are righteous, speaking to God's desire to bless and sustain His faithful servants (a concept echoed in [Psalms 37:23-24](/psalms/37-23 "Psalms 37:23-24 - The Steps of a Good Man Ordered by the Lord")). Finally, the verse powerfully exemplifies the theme of **Prayer for Divine Intervention**, a believer's fervent cry for God to act decisively in a world often marked by injustice, trusting that God will ultimately set things right according to His perfect wisdom and timing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"trieth" (Hebrew, _bāḥan'_):** This verb signifies to test, prove, examine, or discern. It carries the connotation of a thorough and searching examination, much like a refiner testing metal to separate impurities from the pure substance. In this context, it emphasizes God's precise, infallible, and comprehensive judgment, implying that His assessment is not superficial but penetrates to the very essence of a person's character and motives.
* **"hearts" (Hebrew, _lēḇ'_):** In ancient Hebrew thought, the "heart" was not merely the seat of emotions but was considered the center of one's intellect, will, moral character, and inner self. It encompassed one's thoughts, intentions, decisions, and the very core of one's being. When God "tries the heart," He is examining the totality of a person's inner life and moral disposition.
* **"reins" (Hebrew, _kilyāh'_):** Literally meaning "kidneys," this term was used idiomatically in ancient Hebrew to refer to the innermost being, the seat of the deepest emotions, conscience, and hidden desires. Together with "hearts," "hearts and reins" forms a powerful merism, a literary device where two contrasting or complementary parts represent the whole. This idiom profoundly conveys the entirety of a person's inner being—their most secret thoughts, motivations, hidden character, and even subconscious impulses. God sees not just what we do, but the deepest "why" behind our actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end;":** This opening clause is a passionate imprecation, a fervent prayer for the cessation and ultimate demise of evil. It expresses a longing for the active power of wickedness, as embodied by "the wicked," to be utterly abolished. This is not merely a passive hope but an active plea for divine intervention to bring about a definitive end to injustice and moral corruption.
* **"but establish the just:":** In stark contrast to the destruction of the wicked, this clause is a positive petition for the firm establishment and vindication of the righteous. The word "establish" (Hebrew, _kûn'_) implies making firm, secure, stable, or setting upright. It is a prayer for God to uphold, strengthen, and confirm those who live righteously, ensuring their security and flourishing in the face of adversity. This reflects God's covenant faithfulness to His people.
* **"for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.":** This final clause provides the theological foundation and justification for the preceding prayers. The psalmist's confidence in God's ability to end wickedness and establish the just rests entirely on the character of God as "the righteous God." His righteousness is not merely external but is rooted in His perfect omniscience and discernment. The phrase "trieth the hearts and reins" explains *how* God can execute such perfect justice—He possesses an absolute, penetrating knowledge of the innermost thoughts, motives, and character of every individual, enabling Him to judge with perfect equity and truth.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 7:9 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **antithetical parallelism**, where the first two clauses present contrasting ideas: the cessation of wickedness versus the establishment of the just. This highlights the dual nature of God's justice—punishing evil while upholding righteousness. Furthermore, the phrase "hearts and reins" is a powerful **merism**, a figure of speech in which two contrasting or complementary parts are used to represent a whole. By mentioning both the "heart" (representing intellect, will, and conscious thought) and the "reins" (representing deep emotions, conscience, and hidden desires), the psalmist emphasizes the totality and profundity of God's discerning knowledge, leaving no part of the human inner being unexamined. The entire verse functions as an **imprecation** and a **petition**, a direct address to God appealing for His intervention and righteous judgment, demonstrating the psalmist's deep trust and reliance on divine authority. The final clause acts as a **causal statement**, providing the reason ("for") why the preceding prayer is valid and effective, rooting the petition in the immutable character of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 7:9 profoundly articulates the biblical understanding of God as the ultimate, impartial, and omniscient Judge. It underscores the divine commitment to justice, where God is not merely an observer of human affairs but an active participant who intervenes to correct wrongs and establish righteousness. This verse affirms God's perfect knowledge of humanity's inner life, assuring believers that their true motives and character are fully known to Him, offering comfort to the innocent and a solemn warning to the wicked. The prayer for the end of wickedness and the establishment of the just reflects a deep eschatological hope for a world where God's perfect reign is fully realized, and justice prevails completely.

* [Psalms 9:7-8](/psalms/9-7 "Psalms 9:7-8 - God's Eternal Throne and Judgment")
* [Jeremiah 17:10](/jeremiah/17-10 "Jeremiah 17:10 - The Lord Searches the Heart")
* [Hebrews 4:12-13](/hebrews/4-12-13 "Hebrews 4:12-13 - The Word of God Discerning Thoughts and Intentions")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 7:9 offers both profound comfort and a challenging call to introspection for believers today. In a world often marked by blatant injustice, where the wicked seem to prosper and the righteous suffer, this verse serves as a powerful anchor. It reminds us that God is not oblivious to our struggles or the schemes of evil. Instead, He is the righteous Judge who sees everything, penetrating beyond superficial appearances to the deepest motives and intentions. This truth allows us to confidently bring our pleas for justice to Him, knowing that He will ultimately right all wrongs in His perfect timing and wisdom. Furthermore, the knowledge that God "trieth the hearts and reins" should inspire a humble and continuous self-examination. It challenges us to look beyond outward conformity and to diligently scrutinize our own motives, thoughts, and deepest desires, striving for integrity and purity before the One who sees all. This divine scrutiny should not evoke fear in the righteous but rather a profound sense of accountability and an encouragement to cultivate a heart that aligns with God's own righteousness, trusting that He will indeed establish and strengthen those who genuinely seek to live justly.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that God "trieth the hearts and reins" impact your understanding of His justice and your own accountability?**
* **In what specific situations have you longed for the "wickedness of the wicked to come to an end," and how does this verse encourage you in those moments?**
* **What practical steps can you take to ensure your "heart and reins" are aligned with God's righteous standards?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that God "trieth the hearts and reins"?**

Answer: The phrase "trieth the hearts and reins" is a powerful Hebrew idiom signifying God's complete and penetrating knowledge of a person's innermost being. The "heart" (_lēḇ_) in biblical thought refers to the center of intellect, will, and moral character—our thoughts, intentions, and decisions. The "reins" (_kilyāh_, literally "kidneys") were anciently considered the seat of the deepest emotions, conscience, and most hidden desires. Therefore, when God "trieth" (tests, examines, proves) both the "hearts and reins," it means He thoroughly scrutinizes and understands every aspect of a person's inner life, including their conscious thoughts, subconscious motives, secret intentions, and deepest character. Unlike human judges who can only observe outward actions, God sees not only what we do but also *why* we do it, penetrating to the very core of our being. This highlights God's omniscience and His perfect ability to render righteous judgment, as He knows the true nature of every individual (cf. [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart") and [Jeremiah 17:10](/jeremiah/17-10 "Jeremiah 17:10 - The Lord Searches the Heart")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 7:9, with its passionate plea for the end of wickedness and the establishment of the just, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist longed for a righteous judge to intervene, the New Testament reveals that God's definitive intervention came through His Son. Jesus, the perfectly [righteous one](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Jesus Christ the Righteous"), entered a world steeped in sin to confront and ultimately conquer the power of wickedness. His atoning sacrifice on the cross was the decisive blow against the dominion of evil, disarming the spiritual forces of darkness (as seen in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Furthermore, the prayer to "establish the just" is perfectly realized in Christ, who, through His resurrection, establishes all who believe in Him in righteousness, granting them a new standing before God (as described in [Romans 5:18-19](/romans/5-18 "Romans 5:18-19 - Righteousness Through One Act of Righteousness")). He is the one who truly "trieth the hearts and reins," for He is the [Word of God](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Word of God is Living and Active"), sharper than any two-edged sword, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. His return will bring the final and complete end to all wickedness, ushering in an eternal kingdom where only righteousness dwells, and His just reign will be fully established forever (as prophesied in [Revelation 21:3-4](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3-4 - God Dwells with His People")). Thus, the longing of the psalmist is not merely a historical prayer but a prophetic anticipation of Christ's redemptive work and His ultimate triumph.

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

Jeremiah 11:20

But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.

Jeremiah 17:10

I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.

Jeremiah 20:12

But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, [and] seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

1 Chronicles 28:9

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Psalms 139:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known [me].

Psalms 11:5

The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.