Psalms 9:10

KJV

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they that know {H3045} thy name {H8034} will put their trust {H982} in thee: for thou, LORD {H3068}, hast not forsaken {H5800} them that seek {H1875} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

Those who know your name put their trust in you, for you have not abandoned those who seek you, ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.

American Standard Version

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee; For thou, Jehovah, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 9:10 beautifully articulates the profound connection between an experiential knowledge of God's character and the resulting, unwavering trust placed in Him. It declares that those who genuinely understand who God is—His attributes, power, and faithfulness—will confidently rely on Him, assured by the divine promise that the LORD will never abandon those who diligently seek His presence and guidance. This verse serves as a cornerstone for understanding the reciprocal nature of divine revelation and human faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 9 is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise attributed to David, celebrating God's righteous judgment and deliverance. The preceding verses (Psalm 9:1-8) recount God's powerful intervention against the wicked, His establishment as an eternal King on a throne of justice, and His role as a righteous judge. Verse 9 then declares God as a refuge for the oppressed. Psalms 9:10 seamlessly follows this declaration, shifting focus from God's actions *for* His people to the *response* of His people. It establishes the foundation for the trust and hope that should characterize those who have witnessed or comprehended God's mighty deeds and just character, leading directly into a call to praise God among the nations in [Psalm 9:11](/psalms/9-11 "Psalm 9:11 - Sing praises to the Lord").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by David, likely after a significant victory or deliverance, this psalm reflects the ancient Israelite understanding of God's "name." In the ancient Near East, a name was not merely a label but encapsulated the essence, character, authority, and reputation of an individual. To "know God's name" (יָדַע שֵׁם, _yāda' šēm_) meant to have an intimate, experiential understanding of His revealed nature, His covenant promises, and His historical acts of salvation and judgment. The concept of "trust" (בָּטַח, _bāṭaḥ_) implies a confident leaning or resting upon God, a secure reliance born from this deep knowledge. "Seeking God" (דָּרַשׁ, _dāraš_) was a vital spiritual discipline, encompassing prayer, worship, obedience, and an active pursuit of His will and presence, contrasting sharply with the seeking of idols or human power.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Psalm 9 and the broader Psalter. It highlights **The Revelation of God's Character**, where God makes Himself known through His actions and attributes, forming the basis for human response. It emphasizes **Trust as a Response to Knowledge**, illustrating that genuine faith is not blind but is rooted in a deep understanding of who God is and what He has proven Himself to be. The verse strongly affirms **God's Unwavering Faithfulness**, providing the profound assurance that God will never abandon those who genuinely pursue a relationship with Him, serving as a powerful counterpoint to the fleeting nature of human strength or worldly refuge (as seen in [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Some trust in chariots, some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord")). Finally, it subtly reinforces the theme of **Divine Justice and Refuge**, as God's faithfulness to those who seek Him is directly tied to His role as a just judge and a secure refuge for the oppressed, as previously stated in [Psalm 9:9](/psalms/9-9 "Psalm 9:9 - The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Know (יָדַע, _yāda'_)**: This Hebrew verb signifies more than mere intellectual acquaintance; it denotes an intimate, experiential, and relational knowledge. To "know" God's name implies a deep personal understanding gained through encounter, observation of His actions, and participation in His covenant. It's a knowledge that transforms and informs one's entire being.
* **Name (שֵׁם, _šēm_)**: In biblical thought, "name" represents the totality of a person's character, reputation, authority, and revealed nature. To know God's name is to grasp the essence of His being—His power, holiness, justice, love, and unwavering faithfulness. It is to acknowledge His unique identity as the sovereign LORD.
* **Trust (בָּטַח, _bāṭaḥ_)**: This verb conveys the sense of leaning on, relying upon, or feeling secure. It describes a confident dependence, a firm conviction that God is utterly trustworthy, capable, and willing to act on behalf of those who depend on Him. It implies a sense of security and freedom from fear.
* **Seek (דָּרַשׁ, _dāraš_)**: This word implies a diligent, persistent, and intentional pursuit. It means to inquire, search for, frequent, or consult. To "seek God" is to actively turn towards Him in prayer, worship, obedience, and study of His Word, desiring His presence, guidance, and favor. It is a posture of active dependence and yearning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee:"**: This clause establishes a foundational principle: genuine, experiential knowledge of God's character and attributes (His "name") is the prerequisite and catalyst for true trust. When one truly comprehends God's power, faithfulness, and love, a confident reliance upon Him becomes a natural and logical response. This trust is not blind but is rooted in the revealed reality of who God is.
* **"for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee."**: This second clause provides the divine guarantee and theological rationale for the first. The psalmist assures the reader that God's nature is one of unwavering faithfulness. He is not a God who abandons or neglects those who actively and earnestly pursue a relationship with Him. This promise underscores God's steadfast love and covenant loyalty, reinforcing the security of placing one's trust in Him.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 9:10 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The verse primarily utilizes **synthetic parallelism**, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first. "They that know thy name will put their trust in thee" is powerfully affirmed and explained by the subsequent declaration, "for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee." The act of "knowing God's name" is closely associated with "seeking God," and the consequence of "putting trust" is directly linked to God's promise "not to forsake." Furthermore, "thy name" functions as a potent **metonymy**, standing in for the entirety of God's revealed character, attributes, and actions. This allows a concise phrase to evoke the vastness of divine revelation. The verse also serves as a profound statement of **assurance**, offering comfort and security to believers by explicitly stating God's unwavering faithfulness to those who draw near to Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse encapsulates a fundamental biblical principle: the intimate relationship between divine revelation, human knowledge, and active faith. God reveals Himself so that humanity might truly know Him, and this knowledge, in turn, enables and empowers a confident, unwavering trust. It underscores God's covenantal faithfulness—He is not a distant, uncaring deity but one who actively engages with, sustains, and protects those who genuinely seek Him. This divine reliability forms the bedrock of all true worship, obedience, and perseverance in faith, assuring believers that their pursuit of God is never in vain and that their trust in Him is never misplaced.

* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart")
* [Isaiah 26:3-4](/isaiah/26-3 "Isaiah 26:3-4 - Perfect Peace for those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Without faith it is impossible to please God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 9:10 offers a profound challenge and comfort for every believer. It challenges us to move beyond a superficial understanding of God to a deep, experiential knowledge of His character. How much do we truly know God's "name"—His attributes, His track record of faithfulness, His promises, and His very nature? This knowledge is not passive; it is gained through diligent seeking in His Word, through fervent prayer, through observing His hand at work in our lives and in the world, and through obedience to His commands. When we genuinely grasp the immensity and reliability of who God is, our trust in Him becomes less a struggle and more a natural, confident response. The profound comfort of this verse lies in its assurance: God will not forsake those who seek Him. This promise is a powerful anchor, especially in times of doubt, fear, or adversity, reminding us that our pursuit of God is never in vain and that His presence is constant and unwavering. It calls us to persistent seeking, knowing that He is always present, attentive, and faithful to those who earnestly draw near.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways do you currently "know God's name" experientially, beyond mere intellectual assent or theological concepts?**
* **How has your trust in God been strengthened or challenged by your understanding of His character in different seasons of your life?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to more diligently "seek the LORD" and deepen your knowledge of His name?**
* **How does the assurance that God will not forsake those who seek Him impact your approach to prayer, perseverance in faith, or facing difficult circumstances?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean to "know God's name" in a biblical sense?**

Answer: In biblical thought, "knowing God's name" is far more than just knowing a label or a title. It signifies a deep, personal, and experiential understanding of God's character, His attributes, His power, His promises, and His revealed nature. It implies a relationship built on encounter and recognition of who He truly is and what He has done. For instance, when God reveals Himself to Moses as "I AM WHO I AM" in [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God reveals His name to Moses"), He is revealing His self-existent, unchanging nature. To know His name is to know His faithfulness (as seen in [Deuteronomy 7:9](/deuteronomy/7-9 "Deuteronomy 7:9 - God's faithfulness")), His power (as seen in [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the name of the Lord")), and His love. It's about acknowledging His sovereignty and resting in His proven reliability.

**How does "seeking God" relate to "knowing His name" and "trusting in Him"?**

Answer: These three concepts are intimately intertwined and form a virtuous cycle. "Seeking God" (דָּרַשׁ, _dāraš_) involves an active, intentional, and diligent pursuit of His presence, His will, and His truth through prayer, studying His Word, obedience, and worship. As we diligently seek Him, God, in His faithfulness, reveals more of Himself to us, deepening our "knowledge of His name." This deeper knowledge—understanding His character and His consistent actions—then provides the solid foundation upon which we can confidently "put our trust in Him." The more we seek, the more we know; the more we know, the more we trust. This dynamic is beautifully illustrated throughout the Psalms, where the psalmist continually seeks God and finds Him to be a refuge and strength, as in [Psalm 42:1-2](/psalms/42-1 "Psalm 42:1-2 - As the deer pants for streams of water").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 9:10 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the full and final revelation of God's name and character, as [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son") declares, "No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known." To "know God's name" today is to know the Father through the Son, for Jesus Himself stated, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")). Therefore, trusting in God becomes trusting in Christ, who perfectly embodies God's faithfulness and never forsakes those who come to Him. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep and promises that "no one will snatch them out of my hand" ([John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - No one can snatch them from my hand")). Those who "seek God" now seek Him in Christ, for in Him "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" ([Colossians 1:19](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19 - All the fullness of God dwells in Christ")). Christ is the ultimate demonstration that God has indeed "not forsaken them that seek him," but rather, in His Son, has provided the means for eternal relationship, unwavering security, and the complete satisfaction of every longing heart.

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 91:14

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

Proverbs 18:10

¶ The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.

Isaiah 26:4

Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH [is] everlasting strength:

Psalms 105:3

Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

Psalms 105:4

Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

2 Corinthians 1:9

But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: