Psalms 9:6

O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.

O thou enemy {H341}, destructions {H2723} are come to a perpetual {H5331} end {H8552}: and thou hast destroyed {H5428} cities {H6145}{H5892}; their memorial {H2143} is perished {H6} with them {H1992}.

The enemy is finished, in ruins forever; you destroyed their cities; all memory of them is lost.

The enemy has come to eternal ruin, and You have uprooted their cities; the very memory of them has vanished.

The enemy are come to an end, they are desolate for ever; And the cities which thou hast overthrown, The very remembrance of them is perished.

Context

Psalm 9 is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise attributed to David, celebrating God's righteous judgment and His deliverance of the oppressed. It follows a plea for divine intervention and anticipates God's decisive action against the wicked. This particular verse, Psalm 9:6, marks a triumphant declaration of the enemy's ultimate downfall and the permanent cessation of their destructive power, setting the stage for the contrast between God's eternal rule and the fleeting nature of human evil.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Judgment: The verse powerfully declares God's decisive intervention against those who oppose Him and His people. The phrase "destructions are come to a perpetual end" signifies a final, irreversible judgment against the enemy's capacity for harm. This highlights a broader biblical theme of God as the ultimate judge who executes righteousness.
  • The End of Wickedness: The enemy's "destructions" are brought to nothing, implying the complete cessation of their oppressive and harmful acts. Their power is utterly broken, and their reign of terror is declared finished forever.
  • Eternal Remembrance vs. Oblivion: While God's name and deeds are eternally remembered (as seen in Psalm 102:12), the enemy's "memorial is perished with them." This stark contrast emphasizes the impermanence of human evil and the ultimate futility of opposing God. Their legacy of destruction is erased, and they are consigned to oblivion.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "destructions," ḥorāvôt (חֳרָבוֹת), conveys a strong sense of desolations or ruins, emphasizing the devastating nature of the enemy's past actions.
  • "Perpetual end" comes from lāneṣaḥ (לָנֶצַח), meaning "forever" or "eternally," underscoring the absolute and permanent nature of God's victory and the enemy's defeat.
  • The "memorial" (zikrām - זִכְרָם) refers to their remembrance, fame, or the very record of their existence. Its perishing signifies a complete erasure from history and memory.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement and a sober warning for believers today:

  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: No matter how powerful or destructive adversaries may seem, God's justice will ultimately prevail. This verse assures us that God is actively working to bring an end to evil and establish righteousness, encouraging trust in His ultimate control.
  • Hope for the Oppressed: For those facing oppression or injustice, Psalm 9:6 offers a powerful message of hope. It reminds us that the reign of wicked powers is temporary and their destructive influence will not last forever.
  • The Impermanence of Evil: The idea that the enemy's "memorial is perished" serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate futility of a life lived in opposition to God. Only that which is built on God's principles and truth has lasting value; everything else, including destructive legacies, will eventually fade into oblivion. This encourages focusing on eternal values rather than temporary gains or destructive ambitions.
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.

  • Exodus 14:13

    And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

  • Micah 7:8

    Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD [shall be] a light unto me.

  • Isaiah 14:22

    For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD.

  • Isaiah 14:23

    I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Jeremiah 51:62

    Then shalt thou say, O LORD, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever.

  • Jeremiah 51:64

    And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far [are] the words of Jeremiah.

  • 1 Samuel 30:1

    ¶ And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

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