Psalms 94:9

Psalms 94:9 KJV: "He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?"

Context

Psalm 94 is a fervent plea to God for justice against wicked oppressors who boast in their evil deeds and afflict His people. The psalmist laments the arrogance of those who believe God is oblivious to their actions, stating in verse 7, "The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it." Verse 9 directly refutes this foolish and dangerous assumption, serving as a powerful theological argument for God's absolute awareness and ultimate accountability.

Key Themes

• God's Omniscience and Omnipresence: The verse employs a rhetorical question, asserting that 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. This highlights His all-knowing and all-seeing nature, leaving no act, word, or thought hidden from Him.
• Divine Justice: Because God sees and hears, He is fully aware of all injustice and wrongdoing. This serves as a comfort to the oppressed, assuring them that their cries are heard, and a warning to the wicked, reminding them that their deeds will not go unpunished. It underpins the psalm's larger theme of God's righteous judgment.
• The Creator's Perfection: The verse implies that the Creator must 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 form. This affirms God's inherent perfections and His sovereignty over all things, a concept central to understanding God as the ultimate Creator.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "planted" (nata - נָטַע) typically refers to planting trees or establishing something firmly, suggesting a deliberate and foundational act in creating the ear. The word for "formed" (yatsar - יָצַר) is often used to describe a potter shaping clay, emphasizing God's careful and intentional craftsmanship in forming the eye. These terms underscore the intricate design and purpose behind human anatomy, pointing directly to the divine Architect.

Related Scriptures

This verse powerfully rebuts the notion that God is unaware, a common delusion among the wicked (as seen in Psalms 10:11). It aligns with other Scriptures that declare God's perfect knowledge, such as Proverbs 15:3, "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." The divine ability to hear and see is foundational to God's capacity for righteous judgment and vengeance, ensuring that no injustice escapes His notice.

Practical Application

For the believer, Psalms 94:9 offers profound comfort and assurance. When facing injustice, oppression, or feeling unheard, this verse reminds us that God is not distant or unaware; He sees and hears everything. Our prayers are heard, and our suffering is known to Him. For those who might be tempted to act wickedly, thinking they can escape consequences, this verse serves as a solemn warning: God's perfect senses mean that all deeds, whether good or evil, are fully known to Him, and He will ultimately bring all to account. It calls us to live with integrity, knowing that we are always before the all-seeing, all-hearing God.