TRV
Translation
King James Version
For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
Complete Jewish Bible
For your enemies, ADONAI, your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered.
Berean Standard Bible
For surely Your enemies, O LORD, surely Your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered.
American Standard Version
For, lo, thine enemies, O Jehovah, For, lo, thine enemies shall perish; All the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
World English Bible Messianic
For, behold, your enemies, LORD, for, behold, your enemies shall perish. All the evildoers will be scattered.
Geneva Bible (1599)
For loe, thine enemies, O Lord: for loe, thine enemies shall perish: all the workers of iniquitie shall be destroyed.
Young's Literal Translation
For, lo, Thine enemies, O Jehovah, For, lo, Thine enemies, do perish, Separate themselves do all workers of iniquity.
See also
In the KJVVerse 15,421 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 92 verses 7–15
7 ¶ When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:
8 But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.
9 For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
11 Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.
12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
15 To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
The psalmist had said (Psa 92:4) that from the works of God he would take occasion to triumph; and here he does so.
I. He triumphs over God's enemies (Psa 92:7, Psa 92:9, Psa 92:11), triumphs in the foresight of their destruction, not as it would be the misery of his fellow-creatures, but as it would redound to the honour of God's justice and holiness. He is confident of the ruin of sinners, 1. Though they are flourishing (Psa 92:7): When the wicked spring as the grass in spring (so numerous, so thickly sown, so green, and growing so fast), and all the workers of iniquity do flourish in pomp, and power, and all the instances of outward prosperity, are easy and many, and succeed in their enterprises, one would think that all this was in order to their being happy, that it was a certain evidence of God's favour and an earnest of something as good or better in reserve: but it is quite otherwise; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever. The very prosperity of fools shall slay them, Pro 1:32. The sheep that are designed for the slaughter are put into the fattest pasture. 2. Though they are daring, Psa 92:9. They are thy enemies, and impudently avow themselves to be so. They are contrary to God, and they fight against God. They are in rebellion against his crown and dignity, and therefore it is easy to foresee that they shall perish; for who ever hardened his heart against God and prospered? Note, All the impenitent workers of iniquity shall be deemed and taken as God's enemies, and as such they shall perish and be scattered. Christ reckons those his enemies that will not have him to reign over them; and they shall be brought forth and slain before him. The workers of iniquity are now associated, and closely linked together, in a combination against God and religion; but they shall be scattered, and disabled to help one another against the just judgment of God. In the world to come they shall be separated from the congregation of the righteous; so the Chaldee, Psa 1:5. 3. Though they had a particular malice against the psalmist, and, upon that account, he might be tempted to fear them, yet he triumphs over them (Psa 92:11): "My eye shall see my desire on my enemies that rise up against me; I shall see them not only disabled from doing me any further mischief, but reckoned with for the mischief they have done me, and brought either to repentance or ruin:" and this was his desire concerning them. In the Hebrew it is no more than thus, My eye shall look on my enemies, and my ear shall hear of the wicked. He does not say what he shall see or what he shall hear, but he shall see and hear that in which God will be glorified and in which he will therefore be satisfied. This perhaps has reference to Christ, to his victory over Satan, death, and hell, the destruction of those that persecuted and crucified him, and opposed his gospel, and to the final ruin of the impenitent at the last day. Those that rise up against Christ will fall before him and be made his footstool.
II. He triumphs in God, and his glory and grace. 1. In the glory of God (Psa 92:8): "But thou, O Lord! art most high for evermore. The workers of iniquity who fight against us may be high for a time, and think to carry all before them with a high hand, but thou art high, most high, for evermore. Their height will be humbled and brought down, but thine is everlasting." Let us not therefore fear the pride and power of evil men, nor be discouraged by their impotent menaces, for the moth shall eat them up as a garment, but God's righteousness shall be for ever, Isa 51:7, Isa 51:8. 2. In the grace of God, his favour and the fruits of it, (1.) To himself (Psa 92:10): "Thou, O Lord! that art thyself most high, shalt exalt my horn." The great God is the fountain of honour, and he, being high for evermore, himself will exalt his people for ever, for he is the praise of all his saints, Psa 148:14. The wicked are forbidden to lift up the horn (Psa 75:4, Psa 75:5), but those that serve God and the interest of his kingdom with their honour or power, and commit it to him to keep it, to raise it, to use it, and to dispose of it, as he pleases, may hope that he will exalt their horn as the horn of a unicorn, to the greatest height, either in this world or the other: My horn shalt thou exalt, when thy enemies perish; for then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, when the wicked shall be doomed to shame and everlasting contempt. He adds, I shall be anointed with fresh oil, which denotes a fresh confirmation in his office to which he had been anointed, or abundance of plenty, so that he should have fresh oil as often as he pleased, or renewed comforts to revive him when his spirits drooped. Grace is the anointing of the Spirit; when this is given to help in the time of need, and is received, as there is occasion, from the fulness that is in Christ Jesus, we are then anointed with fresh oil. Some read it, When I grow old thou shalt anoint me with fresh oil. My old age shalt thou exalt with rich mercy; so the Septuagint. Compare Psa 92:14, They shall bring forth fruit in old age. The comforts of God's Spirit, and the joys of his salvation, shall be a refreshing oil to the hoary heads that are found in the way of righteousness. (2.) To all the saints. They are here represented as trees of righteousness, Isa 61:3; Psa 1:3. Observe, [1.] The good place they are fixed in; they are planted in the house of the Lord, Psa 92:13. The trees of righteousness do not grow of themselves; they are planted, not in common soil, but in paradise, in the house of the Lord. Trees are not usually planted in a house; but God's trees are said to be planted in his house because it is from his grace, by his word and Spirit, that they receive all the sap and virtue that keep them alive and make them fruitful. They fix themselves to holy ordinances, take root in them, abide by them, put themselves under the divine protection, and bring forth all their fruits to God's honour and glory. [2.] The good plight they shall be kept in. It is here promised, First, That they shall grow, Psa 92:12. Where God gives true grace he will give more grace. God's trees shall grow higher, like the cedars, the tall cedars in Lebanon; they shall grow nearer heaven, and with a holy ambition shall aspire towards the upper world; they shall grow stronger, like the cedars, and fitter for use. He that has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. Secondly, That they shall flourish, both in the credit of their profession and in the comfort and joy of their own souls. They shall be cheerful themselves and respected by all about them. They shall flourish like the palm-tree, which has a stately body (Sol 7:7), and large boughs, Lev 23:40; Jdg 4:5. Dates, the fruit of it, are very pleasant, but it is especially alluded to here as being ever green. The wicked flourish as the grass (Psa 92:7), which is soon withered, but the righteous as the palm-tree, which is long-lived and which the winter does not change. It has been said of the palm-tree, Sub pondere crescit - The more it is pressed down the more it grows; so the righteous flourish under their burdens; the more they are afflicted the more they multiply. Being planted in the house of the Lord (there their root is), they flourish in the courts of our God - there their branches spread. Their life is hid with Christ in God. But their light also shines before men. It is desirable that those who have a place should have a name in God's house, and within his walls, Isa 56:5. Let good Christians aim to excel, that they may be eminent and may flourish, and so may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, as flourishing trees adorn the courts of a house. And let those who flourish in God's courts give him the glory of it; it is by virtue of this promise, They shall be fat and flourishing. Their flourishing without is from a fatness within, from the root and fatness of the good olive, Rom 11:17. Without a living principle of grace in the heart the profession will not be long flourishing; but where that is the leaf also shall not wither, Psa 1:3. The trees of the Lord are full of sap, Psa 104:16. See Hos 14:5, Hos 14:6. Thirdly, That they shall be fruitful. Were there nothing but leaves upon them, they would not be trees of any value; but they shall still bring forth fruit. The products of sanctification, all the instances of a lively devotion and a useful conversation, good works, by which God is glorified and others are edified, these are the fruits of righteousness, in which it is the privilege, as well as the duty, of the righteous to abound; and their abounding in them is the matter of a promise as well as of a command. It is promised that they shall bring forth fruit in old age. Other trees, when they are old, leave off bearing, but in God's trees the strength of grace does not fail with the strength of nature. The last days of the saints are sometimes their best days, and their last work is their best work. This indeed shows that they are upright; perseverance is the surest evidence of sincerity. But it is here said to show that the Lord is upright (Psa 92:15), that he is true to his promises and faithful to every word that he has spoken, and that he is constant to the work which he has begun. As it is by the promises that believers first partake of a divine nature, so it is by the promises that that divine nature is preserved and kept up; and therefore the power it exerts is an evidence that the Lord is upright, and so he will show himself with an upright man, Psa 18:25. This the psalmist triumphs in: "He is my rock and there is no unrighteousness in him. I have chosen him for my rock on which to build, in the clefts of which to take shelter, on the top of which to set my feet. I have found him a rock, strong and stedfast, and his word as firm as a rock. I have found" (and let every one speak as he finds) "that there is no unrighteousness in him." He is as able, and will be as kind, as his word makes him to be. All that ever trusted in God found him faithful and all-sufficient, and none were ever made ashamed of their hope in him.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 7–15. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 92
"But You, Lord, art the Most Highest for evermore" [Psalm 92:8]. Waiting above in Your eternity until the season of the wicked be past, and that of the just come. "For lo." Listen, brethren. Already he who speaks (for he speaks in our person, in the person of Christ's body, for Christ speaks in His own body, that is, in His Church), has joined himself unto the eternity of God: as I a little before was saying unto you, God is long-suffering and patient, and allows all those evil deeds which He sees to be done by wicked men. Wherefore? Because He is eternal, and sees what He keeps for them. Do you also wish to be long-suffering and patient? Join yourself to the eternity of God: together with Him wait for those things which are beneath you: for when your heart shall have cleaved unto the Most Highest, all mortal things will be beneath you: say then what follows, "For lo, your enemies shall perish." Those who now flourish, shall afterwards perish. Who are the enemies of God? Brethren, perhaps ye think those only enemies of God who blaspheme? They indeed are so, and those wicked men who neither in tongue nor in thought cease to injure God. And what do they do to the eternal, most high God? If you strike with your fist upon a pillar, you are hurt: and do you think that where you strike God with your blasphemy, you are not yourself broken? For you do nothing to God. But the enemies of God are openly blasphemers, and daily they are found hidden. Beware of such enmities of God. For the Scripture reveals some such secret enemies of God: that because you know them not in your heart, you may know in God's Scriptures, and beware of being found with them. James says openly in his Epistle, "Do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?" [James 4:4] You have heard. Do you wish not to be an enemy of God? Be not a friend of this world: for if you are a friend of this world, you will be an enemy of God. For as a wife cannot be an adulteress, unless she be an enemy to her own husband: so a soul which is an adulteress through its love of worldly things, cannot but be an enemy to God. It fears, but loves not: it fears punishment but is not delighted with righteousness. All lovers of the world, therefore, are enemies of God, all the curious after trifles, all consulters of diviners astrologers, and evil spirits. Let them enter, or not enter, Churches: they are enemies of God. They may flourish for a season like grass, but they will perish, when He begins to visit them, and pronounce His sentence upon all flesh. Join yourself to the Scripture of God, and say with this Psalm, "For lo, your enemies shall perish" [Psalm 92:9]. Be not found there, where they shall perish. "And all the workers of iniquity shall be destroyed."
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 92:9 stands as a powerful and unwavering declaration of God's ultimate sovereignty and perfect justice, asserting the certain and inevitable downfall of all who oppose His righteous will. Situated within a psalm that exalts the Lord's faithfulness and celebrates the flourishing of the upright, this verse starkly contrasts the fleeting prosperity and eventual destruction of the wicked with the eternal preeminence and unshakeable nature of the Most High God. It serves as a profound assurance that no form of evil or rebellion can ultimately withstand divine judgment, promising complete vindication for the righteous and a decisive, catastrophic end to all iniquity.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 92:9 employs several potent Literary Devices to convey its message with undeniable force and clarity. The most prominent is Repetition, specifically the emphatic and striking anaphora of the phrase "For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies." This deliberate reiteration serves to emphasize the certainty, inevitability, and solemnity of the divine declaration, driving home the point that God's adversaries are unequivocally doomed. This also creates a sense of urgency and compels the listener's immediate attention to the pronouncement. The verse also utilizes Parallelism, specifically Synonymous Parallelism, where the second clause ("all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered") reiterates, amplifies, and elaborates upon the meaning of the first ("thine enemies... shall perish"). "Thine enemies" is paralleled by "all the workers of iniquity," and "shall perish" is paralleled by "shall be scattered," reinforcing the same core idea of comprehensive destruction, disarray, and ultimate defeat. The interjection "lo" (or "behold") functions as an Exclamation or Interjection, serving to call immediate and dramatic attention to the gravity and certainty of the divine declaration, much like a spotlight illuminating a crucial, undeniable truth. Finally, the chosen verbs "perish" and "scattered" evoke strong Imagery, painting a vivid and visceral picture of utter ruin, chaotic defeat, and complete disempowerment, contrasting sharply with the stable, flourishing, and fruitful life described for the righteous elsewhere in the psalm.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 92:9 stands as a foundational declaration of God's unwavering commitment to justice and His ultimate, decisive triumph over all forms of evil. It assures believers that despite the apparent prosperity, temporary success, or seemingly unpunished actions of the wicked, God's moral order will ultimately prevail. This verse serves as both a profound comfort to the righteous, who may feel oppressed, disheartened, or bewildered by the prevalence of injustice, and a solemn, urgent warning to those who choose a path of rebellion against God. It underscores the immutable truth that while God is patient, merciful, and slow to anger, His justice is absolute, and a life lived in persistent opposition to Him leads to an inevitable, comprehensive, and catastrophic downfall. The perishing and scattering of the wicked signify not just their defeat but their complete disempowerment, disorganization, and ultimate futility, highlighting the utter foolishness of any attempt to resist the Almighty.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 92:9 offers both profound comfort and a clear, piercing call to spiritual discernment for contemporary believers. In a world where evil often seems to flourish unchecked, where injustice appears to go unpunished, and where those who defy God sometimes experience worldly success and influence, this verse serves as an unshakeable anchor for our faith. It powerfully reminds us that God is not passive, indifferent, or unaware; He sees, He knows, and He will ultimately act decisively. Our hope and trust should never be placed in the fleeting powers of this fallen world or in the temporary prosperity of the wicked, but solely in the enduring justice, absolute sovereignty, and eternal reign of the Almighty. This truth should embolden us to persevere steadfastly in righteousness, knowing that our labor in the Lord is never in vain and that His ultimate vindication of His people and His purposes is absolutely assured. For those who may be walking in ways contrary to God's revealed will, whether knowingly or unknowingly, this verse is a sober and urgent warning. The path of "iniquity" leads not to lasting peace, security, or flourishing, but to destruction, disorganization, and ultimate dispersion. It calls for deep introspection, genuine repentance, and a decisive turning away from self-destructive paths toward the life-giving, flourishing way of God's righteousness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who are "thine enemies" and "workers of iniquity" in the context of this psalm?
Answer: In Psalms 92:9, "thine enemies" and "workers of iniquity" are not limited to specific historical or political adversaries of ancient Israel, though they certainly include them. Rather, these terms represent anyone who actively, habitually, and consistently opposes God's character, His divine will, His moral order, or His chosen people. This encompasses individuals or groups who practice injustice, rebellion, and ungodliness, whose lives are characterized by a deliberate and systematic pursuit of evil. They are those whose actions, attitudes, and intentions stand in direct defiance of God's righteous standards, whether through overt acts of violence, deceit, oppression, or a general disregard for divine authority. The psalm contrasts them sharply with the righteous, who delight in God's law and flourish under His providential care, as vividly depicted in Psalms 92:12-14.
Does this verse imply that God actively destroys all who oppose Him, or does it speak to natural consequences?
Answer: Psalms 92:9 speaks to the inevitable and certain outcome for those who persistently oppose God. While the Bible certainly depicts instances of God's direct, active judgment and intervention in history, this verse also conveys the inherent unsustainability and self-destructive nature of a life lived in opposition to the Creator. A life of "iniquity" is fundamentally out of alignment with the divine, moral, and spiritual order of the universe and, by its very nature, leads to self-inflicted ruin, disorganization, and ultimate spiritual decay. The terms "perish" and "scattered" encompass both the active judgment of God—His righteous intervention to bring an end to evil—and the natural, spiritual consequences that accrue to those who reject His life-giving ways. Ultimately, it affirms that no evil, no matter how entrenched or powerful, can stand eternally against the sovereign will of God; all that is not of Him will eventually be brought to nothing, whether through direct divine action or the inherent decay and futility of sin, as described in Romans 6:23.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 92:9 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the psalm declares the perishing of God's enemies and the scattering of the workers of iniquity, it is through Christ that the true nature of these ultimate enemies—sin, death, and the devil—is definitively conquered and disarmed. Jesus, by His perfect, sinless life, His atoning death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection, triumphed over the spiritual powers and authorities that held humanity captive, making a public spectacle of them (Colossians 2:15). He became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, thereby dismantling the very foundation of "iniquity" and offering a path to righteousness. The ultimate "enemy" is death itself, and Christ's resurrection is the unshakeable guarantee that death will ultimately be swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:26). When Christ returns in glory, He will complete the work of judgment, casting down all remaining opposition and finally scattering all "workers of iniquity" into eternal separation from God (Revelation 20:10). Thus, Psalms 92:9 is not merely a historical observation or a general principle, but a prophetic declaration of the final, decisive victory secured by our Lord Jesus Christ, who reigns supreme until all His enemies are put under His feet.