Psalms 86:9

KJV

All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

KJV (with Strong's)

All nations {H1471} whom thou hast made {H6213}{H8804)} shall come {H935}{H8799)} and worship {H7812}{H8691)} before {H6440} thee, O Lord {H136}; and shall glorify {H3513}{H8762)} thy name {H8034}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All the nations you have made will come and bow before you, Adonai; they will honor your name.

Berean Standard Bible

All the nations You have made will come and bow before You, O Lord, and they will glorify Your name.

American Standard Version

All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; And they shall glorify thy name.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 86:9 is a profound prophetic declaration embedded within a personal prayer of King David, envisioning a future when God's ultimate sovereignty and creative power will be universally acknowledged. It anticipates a day when all peoples, recognizing the Lord as their Creator and Sustainer, will willingly converge to offer Him worship and to publicly glorify His name, testifying to His unique and supreme worth across the entire earth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 86 is a "prayer of David," a deeply personal lament and petition for divine help, mercy, and guidance amidst distress. David frequently appeals to God's character as good, merciful, and ready to forgive ([Psalms 86:5](/psalms/86-5 "Psalm 86:5 - God's Goodness and Mercy")). Within this context of personal reliance and plea, verse 9 marks a dramatic shift from David's individual struggles to a grand, universal vision of God's ultimate triumph. This prophetic interlude elevates the psalm beyond David's immediate circumstances, placing his personal hope within the larger framework of God's redemptive plan for all humanity. The verse is immediately followed by a powerful affirmation of God's incomparable greatness and uniqueness among the gods ([Psalms 86:10](/psalms/86-10 "Psalm 86:10 - God's Uniqueness and Greatness")), providing the theological foundation for the universal worship declared in verse 9.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by David, likely during a period of personal or national crisis, this psalm reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of deity while simultaneously proclaiming Israel's unique monotheistic faith. The concept of "nations" (Hebrew: *goyim*) typically referred to the Gentile peoples, distinct from Israel. In a world dominated by polytheism and tribal deities, the assertion that *all* nations, not just Israel, would one day worship Yahweh was a radical, counter-cultural claim. It speaks to God's universal dominion, contrasting with the limited territorial claims of pagan gods. This vision aligns with the Abrahamic covenant, where God promised that through Abraham, "all the families of the earth shall be blessed" ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - The Abrahamic Covenant")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several core biblical themes. Firstly, it highlights **Universal Worship and Acknowledgment**, declaring the future certainty that every nation will ultimately recognize and worship the Lord, extending God's redemptive scope far beyond Israel. Secondly, it underscores **God as Creator and Sovereign**, with the phrase "whom thou hast made" emphasizing His absolute authority and ownership over all humanity, asserting that worship is owed to Him by virtue of His creative act. This theme is foundational, as seen in [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer"). Thirdly, the verse points to the ultimate purpose of this worship: to **Glorify God's Name**. This signifies a public declaration and exaltation of His character, power, and holiness, acknowledging His supreme worth. Finally, for the original audience and for believers today, this verse offers immense **Prophetic Hope** for a future where peace, justice, and true worship prevail, fulfilling God's ultimate purposes for humanity and bringing all creation into alignment with His will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Nations (Hebrew, _goyim'_):** This term, often translated "Gentiles" or "peoples," refers to the non-Israelite nations of the world. In many Old Testament contexts, *goyim* can carry negative connotations, representing those outside God's covenant. However, in prophetic passages like this, it takes on a universal, inclusive sense, emphasizing that God's redemptive plan extends to all ethnic groups and peoples, not just a select few. It underscores the global scope of God's sovereignty and future kingdom.
* **Worship (Hebrew, _shachah'_):** Meaning "to bow down," "prostrate oneself," or "do obeisance," *shachah* denotes a posture of deep reverence, submission, and adoration. It implies a voluntary act of homage and profound respect, acknowledging God's supreme authority and worth. This is not coerced worship, but a willing recognition of His rightful place as Lord.
* **Glorify (Hebrew, _kabad'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be heavy," "weighty," or "honorable," *kabad* signifies giving something its proper weight, importance, or honor. To "glorify God's name" means to acknowledge His inherent majesty, power, and holiness, and to declare His supreme worth and renown to the world. It involves both internal reverence and external proclamation of His excellencies.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All nations whom thou hast made":** This opening clause establishes the universal scope of the prophecy and grounds it in God's creative act. The phrase "whom thou hast made" asserts God's sovereign ownership and inherent right to receive worship from all humanity. It highlights that all peoples, regardless of their current religious or cultural allegiances, owe their very existence to the Lord, making their eventual worship both a recognition of truth and an act of due homage to their Creator.
* **"shall come and worship before thee, O Lord;":** This is the central prophetic declaration. The verb "shall come" indicates a definite, future movement, implying a pilgrimage or convergence towards God's presence. "Worship before thee" specifies the act and its direct object: the Lord Himself. This is not merely a passive acknowledgment but an active, intentional, and personal engagement in adoration and submission to the one true God. The address "O Lord" (Adonai) emphasizes His absolute mastery and authority.
* **"and shall glorify thy name.":** This final clause articulates the ultimate purpose and outcome of this universal worship. To "glorify thy name" means to publicly acknowledge, praise, and magnify God's character, attributes, and reputation. It implies that the nations will not only bow in worship but will also declare His greatness, power, and holiness to one another and to the world, ensuring that His name receives the honor and renown it deserves.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 86:9 is rich in literary devices that amplify its profound message. Primarily, it functions as a **Prophecy**, a divinely inspired declaration of future events, specifically the eschatological gathering of all nations to worship the Lord. This prophecy is characterized by **Universalism**, extending God's redemptive and sovereign reach beyond Israel to encompass "all nations," a radical concept in its original context. The phrase "whom thou hast made" employs **Causality** to link the act of creation directly to the obligation of worship, establishing God's inherent right to receive homage from all humanity. The structure of the verse, moving from the identity of the worshippers ("all nations") to their action ("come and worship") and finally to the purpose of their action ("glorify thy name"), demonstrates a clear **Teleological Progression**, emphasizing the ultimate goal of God's plan. The repetition of the theme of God's name being glorified throughout the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative also points to **Theocentricity**, placing God's glory at the absolute center of all existence and future events.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse stands as a powerful testament to God's universal sovereignty and His ultimate plan for all humanity. It underscores the biblical truth that God is not merely the God of Israel, but the Creator and Lord of all nations, and His redemptive purposes extend to every corner of the earth. It speaks to the eschatological hope of a unified, global worship, where ethnic and national divisions are transcended by a common adoration of the one true God. This vision fuels the missionary mandate, reminding believers that the Gospel is for all peoples, and our present efforts contribute to this grand, unfolding prophecy. It also reinforces the certainty of God's ultimate triumph over all opposition, assuring us that His kingdom will indeed come, and His will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven.

* [Isaiah 2:2-3](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2-3 - Nations Flowing to the Lord's House")
* [Zechariah 14:16](/zechariah/14-16 "Zechariah 14:16 - All Nations Worship the King")
* [Revelation 15:4](/revelation/15-4 "Revelation 15:4 - All Nations Worship God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 86:9 offers profound encouragement and a clear call to action for believers today. It assures us of God's ultimate victory and the eventual, universal recognition of His sovereignty, strengthening our hope in His kingdom's certain arrival. This prophetic vision reminds us that our current struggles and efforts in sharing the Gospel are not in vain, but are integral parts of God's grand, unfolding plan to draw all nations to Himself. It compels us to live lives that consistently glorify God's name, reflecting His character and truth to a world that desperately needs to know Him. Our worship, both corporately and individually, should be a foretaste of this global chorus, demonstrating the unity and adoration that will one day encompass every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. We are called to participate actively in this divine purpose, living as ambassadors of His coming kingdom and praying for the day when this prophecy is fully realized.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the universal vision of this verse challenge my understanding of God's heart for all peoples?**
* **In what ways can my daily life and actions contribute to glorifying God's name among those who do not yet know Him?**
* **What role does this prophetic hope play in sustaining my faith and motivating my involvement in God's mission?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply forced conversion, or is the worship voluntary?**

Answer: The verse, particularly through the meaning of the Hebrew word *shachah* (to bow down, worship), implies a voluntary and reverent submission. While God's sovereignty is absolute, the biblical vision of universal worship is ultimately one of willing adoration, born from a recognition of His truth and glory. This is consistent with God's character as one who desires a relationship of love and free will, not coercion. The "coming" of the nations suggests a pilgrimage, a drawing by God's manifest presence and power, leading to willing worship. This is seen in passages like [Isaiah 60:3](/isaiah/60-3 "Isaiah 60:3 - Nations Drawn to God's Light") where nations are drawn to God's light.

**How does this Old Testament prophecy relate to the New Testament and the church's mission?**

Answer: This prophecy is foundational to understanding the New Testament's emphasis on global evangelism. Jesus' Great Commission in [Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission") to "make disciples of all nations" is a direct fulfillment trajectory of this Old Testament vision. The church, comprising believers from every nation, is the instrument through which God is currently drawing people to Himself, anticipating the ultimate fulfillment described in Psalms 86:9. The book of Acts details the Holy Spirit empowering believers to spread the Gospel beyond Jewish boundaries, demonstrating God's desire for all nations to worship Him ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness to the Ends of the Earth")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 86:9 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament prophets envisioned a future gathering of nations, it is through the cross and resurrection of Jesus that this universal worship becomes a reality. Jesus, the Lamb of God, broke down the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile, creating one new humanity reconciled to God ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). His Great Commission explicitly commands His followers to "make disciples of all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")), initiating the process by which this prophecy is being realized. The New Testament portrays Jesus as the one to whom "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:10-11](/phil/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). Ultimately, the book of Revelation depicts the eschatological scene where a "great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb," crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" ([Revelation 7:9-10](/rev/7-9 "Revelation 7:9-10 - Multitude from Every Nation Worships")). Thus, the nations "whom thou hast made" come and worship the Father *through* the Son, glorifying His name as the one through whom all creation finds its purpose and redemption.

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

Revelation 15:4

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for [thou] only [art] holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Isaiah 66:23

And it shall come to pass, [that] from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

Psalms 66:4

All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing [to] thy name. Selah.

Isaiah 2:2

And it shall come to pass in the last days, [that] the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

Isaiah 2:4

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Revelation 11:15

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Psalms 102:15

So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.