Psalms 9:20

Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

Psalms 9:20 (KJV)

Context

Psalm 9 is a song of thanksgiving for God’s deliverance and righteous judgment. David praises God for defending the oppressed and for judging the wicked. This final verse is a prayer that God would act against the nations that oppose Him and His people.

Meaning

David asks the Lord to “put them in fear.” This fear is not ordinary terror but reverent awe before the Almighty. Its purpose is clear: that the nations may know they are only human, not divine. Even the mightiest rulers are mortal and accountable to God. This humbling truth leads people to depend on Him rather than on their own strength.

The word “Selah” invites the reader to pause and reflect. It is likely a musical or liturgical mark, but here it calls us to meditate on the weight of this truth. God alone is sovereign over all nations and individuals.

Biblical connections

This prayer echoes the broader biblical theme that human pride must bow before God. In Psalm 2, the nations rage against the Lord, yet He laughs at their schemes and establishes His King. Here, David asks God to humble the proud so they recognize their frailty. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), and this verse applies that principle to entire nations.

Application

We learn to hold a proper view of ourselves and of God. Recognizing our limitations keeps us humble and dependent on Him. We also learn that God’s authority extends over every nation and leader. We should trust Him rather than human systems or powers, which are temporary and weak.

This verse also encourages us to pause. In our busy lives, we need moments of stillness to remember who God is and who we are. Such reflection guards our hearts against pride and self-reliance.

Reflection

When we see the powerful of this world, we may feel small or afraid. But this verse reminds us that all people, no matter how strong, are but men. God alone is worthy of ultimate fear and trust. Let us pray that the nations—and our own hearts—would know this truth and turn to Him in reverence.