Psalms 94:9

KJV

He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?

KJV (with Strong's)

He that planted {H5193}{H8802)} the ear {H241}, shall he not hear {H8085}{H8799)}? he that formed {H3335}{H8802)} the eye {H5869}, shall he not see {H5027}{H8686)}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Will the one who planted the ear not hear? Will the one who formed the eye not see?

Berean Standard Bible

He who affixed the ear, can He not hear? He who formed the eye, can He not see?

American Standard Version

He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? He that formed the eye, shall he not see?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 94:9 serves as a profound rhetorical question, powerfully refuting the foolish notion that God is unaware of human actions or injustices. By appealing to God's role as the Creator of human senses—the ear for hearing and the eye for seeing—the psalmist logically asserts that the divine Architect must possess these faculties in their most perfect, boundless, and all-encompassing form. This verse underscores God's absolute omniscience and omnipresence, providing deep comfort to the oppressed who cry out for justice, while simultaneously issuing a stern warning to the wicked who believe their deeds can escape divine notice. It anchors the psalm's fervent plea for God's righteous judgment in His inherent nature as the all-seeing and all-hearing Sovereign.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 94 is a fervent lament and imprecatory prayer, a passionate appeal to God for justice against wicked oppressors who afflict His people. The psalmist expresses indignation at the arrogance of those who boast in their evil deeds and believe God is oblivious to their actions. Specifically, [Psalm 94:7](/psalms/94-7 "The Wicked's Denial of God's Awareness") states, "The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it." Verse 9 directly and emphatically refutes this dangerous theological error, serving as a powerful rhetorical climax that underpins the psalmist's plea. It is part of a larger argument (verses 8-11) aimed at the "senseless among the people" and "fools" who deny God's knowledge, asserting God's ultimate awareness and the certainty of His accountability. The verse is a foundational theological premise upon which the psalmist builds his expectation of divine intervention and judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Psalms, as the prayer book of Israel, often reflect periods of national or individual distress, where the righteous faced oppression from both internal and external enemies. In ancient Israel, justice was ideally dispensed by God's appointed leaders, but when human systems failed, the people turned to God as the ultimate Judge. The idea that a deity could be ignorant or indifferent to human affairs was a common pagan notion, but it was anathema to Israel's understanding of Yahweh, who had revealed Himself as active and engaged in history. The rhetorical questions in [Psalms 94:9](/psalms/94-9 "God's Omniscience as Creator") challenge any such pagan or secularized worldview within Israel itself, reinforcing the unique nature of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The very act of forming the human body, particularly the senses, was seen as a direct act of divine craftsmanship, emphasizing God's intimate involvement in creation, as seen in [Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "God Forms Man from Dust").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and biblical theology. Firstly, it emphatically asserts **God's Omniscience and Omnipresence**. If God is the Creator of the human senses—ear and eye—then He Himself must possess the ultimate capacity to hear and see everything, leaving no act, word, or thought hidden from Him. Secondly, it undergirds the theme of **Divine Justice**. Because God sees and hears all, He is fully aware of every injustice and wrongdoing. This serves as a profound comfort to the oppressed, assuring them that their cries are heard and their suffering is known, and a solemn warning to the wicked, reminding them that their deeds will not go unpunished. This concept is foundational to the psalm's larger theme of God's righteous judgment and ultimate vindication of His people, as promised in [Psalm 94:15](/psalms/94-15 "Justice Will Return to the Righteous"). Thirdly, the verse implies the **Creator's Perfection and Sovereignty**. The Creator must inherently be superior to His creation; if He endowed humans with the faculties of hearing and sight, He must possess these attributes in their most perfect, boundless, and infinite form. This affirms God's inherent perfections and His absolute sovereignty over all things, a concept central to understanding [God as the ultimate Creator](/genesis/1-1 "God as the Ultimate Creator").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Planted (Hebrew, _nāṭaʿ_):** This verb typically refers to the planting of trees or the firm establishment of something, often with the implication of growth and permanence. Its use here for the ear is striking and evocative, suggesting not merely a generic creation but a deliberate, foundational, and purposeful act. It implies that the ear is not an accidental feature but an intricately designed and deeply rooted faculty, intentionally "planted" by the divine hand with a specific function. This choice of word emphasizes God's active, personal, and meticulous involvement in the formation of human anatomy.
* **Formed (Hebrew, _yāṣar_):** This verb is frequently used to describe a potter shaping clay (e.g., [Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "God Forms Man from the Dust")), emphasizing God's careful, intentional, and artistic craftsmanship. When applied to the eye, it highlights the intricate design, delicate structure, and precise function of this complex organ. The word conveys God's deliberate shaping and molding, indicating that the eye is a product of divine artistry and foresight, designed for the specific purpose of seeing. Both "planted" and "formed" underscore the intricate design and purpose behind human anatomy, pointing directly to the divine Architect.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He that planted the ear, shall he not hear?":** This clause begins with an undeniable premise: God is the one who created the faculty of hearing in humanity. The rhetorical question then follows logically: if God endowed His creation with the ability to hear, how much more must He Himself possess the ultimate, perfect capacity to hear? This asserts God's inherent and superior ability to perceive all sounds, including the cries of the oppressed and the whispers of the wicked. It challenges the foolish assumption that the Creator is somehow less capable than His creation.
* **"he that formed the eye, shall he not see?":** Mirroring the first clause, this second part reiterates the premise of God as the Creator, specifically of the faculty of sight. The subsequent rhetorical question demands an affirmative answer: if God meticulously crafted the eye, enabling humans to see, then He must possess an even greater, all-encompassing ability to see everything. This implies God's complete awareness of all actions, visible deeds, and even hidden intentions, leaving nothing concealed from His gaze. Together, these two clauses form an irrefutable argument for God's absolute omniscience and omnipresence, derived directly from His creative power.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 94:9 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological impact. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, which is not intended to elicit an answer but to make a forceful assertion. By posing questions whose answers are self-evident, the psalmist compels the audience to acknowledge the undeniable truth of God's omniscience, thereby refuting the foolishness of those who deny it. This technique creates a powerful, persuasive argument. The verse also employs **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second line ("he that formed the eye, shall he not see?") echoes and reinforces the meaning of the first ("He that planted the ear, shall he not hear?"). This repetition adds emphasis and symmetry, driving home the central point from two complementary angles. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Argument from Design or Creation**, where God's attributes are inferred from the complexity and functionality of His creation. The very existence of the ear and eye, designed with such intricate precision, points back to a Creator who possesses these faculties in their ultimate, perfect form. Finally, while God does not have physical ears or eyes, the verse uses a form of **Anthropomorphism** to describe God's attributes in human terms (hearing, seeing), making Him relatable, yet simultaneously transcending these human limitations by implying His superior, infinite capacity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 94:9 stands as a cornerstone for understanding God's active engagement with His creation and His unwavering commitment to justice. It fundamentally challenges any worldview that posits a distant, disengaged, or ignorant deity. The verse asserts that God's very nature as Creator necessitates His perfect knowledge and awareness of all things, making Him the ultimate arbiter of truth and justice. This divine attribute is not merely an abstract concept but a dynamic reality that underpins His governance of the world, ensuring that no act of wickedness goes unnoticed and no cry of the afflicted remains unheard. It is the theological bedrock for the psalmist's confidence that God will ultimately intervene and judge the oppressors.

* [Psalms 10:11](/psalms/10-11 "The Wicked's Delusion of God's Blindness") – This verse directly contrasts with the wicked's delusion: "He has said in his heart, 'God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see.'" Psalms 94:9 serves as the definitive rebuttal.
* [Proverbs 15:3](/proverbs/15-3 "The Eyes of the LORD are Everywhere") – "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good." This proverb explicitly affirms the omnipresent and omniscient nature of God, echoing the truth presented in Psalms 94:9.
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "All Things Naked and Open Before God") – "And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." This New Testament passage provides a powerful theological parallel, emphasizing the comprehensive and inescapable nature of God's knowledge.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For the believer, Psalms 94:9 offers profound comfort and assurance in a world often marked by injustice and suffering. When faced with oppression, betrayal, or situations where evil seems to triumph unchecked, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is neither distant nor unaware. He sees every tear, hears every cry, and knows every hidden motive. Our prayers are heard, our suffering is known, and our vindication is certain in His perfect timing. This truth encourages perseverance in faith and prayer, knowing that the God who created our senses perfectly perceives all things. For those who might be tempted to act wickedly, thinking they can escape consequences or operate in secrecy, this verse serves as a solemn and inescapable warning: God's perfect senses mean that all deeds, whether good or evil, are fully known to Him. There is no darkness deep enough, no whisper quiet enough, to elude His divine perception. This calls us to live with integrity, humility, and righteousness, constantly aware that we are always before the all-seeing, all-hearing God, to whom we will ultimately give an account. It compels us to align our lives with His justice and truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth of God's perfect hearing and seeing impact your prayers when you feel unheard or unseen?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to live as if God is not fully aware of your thoughts, words, or actions, and how does this verse challenge that temptation?**
* **How does God's omniscience, as described in this verse, provide comfort in times of injustice or suffering?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live more consciously in the presence of an all-seeing and all-hearing God?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse imply that God has physical ears and eyes like humans?**

Answer: No, this verse uses **Anthropomorphism**—attributing human characteristics to God—to help us understand His divine attributes. While God is Spirit and does not possess a physical body with literal ears and and eyes, the rhetorical question in [Psalms 94:9](/psalms/94-9 "God's Omniscience as Creator") powerfully asserts that He possesses the *ultimate* capacity for hearing and seeing. If He can create these faculties in humans, He Himself must possess these abilities in a perfect, infinite, and non-physical way. It emphasizes His omniscience (all-knowing) and omnipresence (present everywhere), meaning nothing is hidden from His awareness or beyond His perception. Scriptures like [John 4:24](/john/4-24 "God is Spirit") affirm that "God is Spirit," which precludes a physical body.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 94:9 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. As the eternal Word of God, through whom "all things were made" ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "Christ as Creator")), Jesus is the very one who "planted the ear" and "formed the eye." He is the embodiment of God's perfect knowledge and righteous judgment. While on earth, Jesus demonstrated this divine omniscience, knowing the thoughts of people ([Matthew 9:4](/matthew/9-4 "Jesus Knows Thoughts")), seeing hidden motives ([John 2:25](/john/2-25 "Jesus Knows All People")), and hearing the cries of the afflicted, responding with compassion and power. He is the one before whom "all things are naked and open" ([Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "All Things Open Before God")), for He is the "judge of the living and the dead" ([Acts 10:42](/acts/10-42 "Christ, Judge of Living and Dead")). The justice sought in Psalms 94 is fully realized in Christ, who not only hears the cries of His people but also perfectly executes divine judgment, ultimately bringing all hidden things to light and establishing His righteous kingdom where justice truly reigns ([Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11 "The Great White Throne Judgment")). In Him, the comfort of God's perfect awareness and the certainty of His just retribution are eternally secured.

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

Exodus 4:11

And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

Jeremiah 23:23

[Am] I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?

Jeremiah 23:24

Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

Proverbs 20:12

¶ The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.

Psalms 44:21

Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Psalms 11:4

¶ The LORD [is] in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne [is] in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

Psalms 139:1

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