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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 72:9 May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/72-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/19_Psa_072_009.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 72:9 - Endow the King with Your Justice" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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his enemies will fall before him in the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/72.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/72.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/72.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/72.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him, And His enemies will lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/72.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />May the nomads of the desert bow before him, And his enemies lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/72.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Let the nomads of the desert bow before him, And his enemies lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/72.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Let the nomads of the desert bow before him; And his enemies lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/72.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Let the desert creatures kneel before him, And his enemies lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/72.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The nomads of the desert will bow before him, And his enemies will lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/72.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />May desert tribes kneel before him and his enemies lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/72.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />May desert tribes kneel before him and his enemies lick the dust. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/72.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; And his enemies shall lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/72.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Force the desert tribes to accept his rule, and make his enemies crawl in the dirt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/72.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/72.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />May the people of the desert kneel in front of him. May his enemies lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/72.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The peoples of the desert will bow down before him; his enemies will throw themselves to the ground. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/72.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />May the nomads bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/72.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/72.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Before him the coastlands will bow down, and his enemies will lick the dust. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/72.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Those who dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him. His enemies shall lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/72.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/72.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Those who dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him. His enemies shall lick the dust. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/72.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Desert-dwellers bow before Him, "" And His enemies lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/72.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Before him bow do the inhabitants of the dry places, And his enemies lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/72.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Inhabitants of the desert shall bow before him, and his enemies shall lick the dust.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/72.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Before him the Ethiopians shall fall down: and his enemies shall lick the ground. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/72.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 71:9>In his sight, the Ethiopians will fall prostrate, and his enemies will lick the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/72.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />May his foes kneel before him, his enemies lick the dust. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/72.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />May his foes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/72.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They that dwell on the islands shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/72.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The islands shall bow before him and his enemies will lick up the dust.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/72.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Let them that dwell in the wilderness bow before him; And his enemies lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/72.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The Ethiopians shall fall down before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/72-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=8701" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/72.htm">Endow the King with Your Justice</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>May he rule from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6728.htm" title="6728: ṣî·yîm (N-mp) -- From the same as tsiyah; a desert-dweller, i.e. Nomad or wild beast.">May the nomads</a> <a href="/hebrew/3766.htm" title="3766: yiḵ·rə·‘ū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate.">bow</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·nāw (Prep-l:: N-cpc:: 3ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/341.htm" title="341: wə·’ō·yə·ḇāw (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 3ms) -- Hating, an adversary. Or owyeb; active participle of 'ayab; hating; an adversary.">and his enemies</a> <a href="/hebrew/3897.htm" title="3897: yə·la·ḥê·ḵū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To lick. A primitive root; to lick.">lick</a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: ‘ā·p̄ār (N-ms) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">the dust.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-23.htm">Isaiah 49:23</a></span><br />Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-14.htm">Isaiah 60:14</a></span><br />The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet and call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-17.htm">Micah 7:17</a></span><br />They will lick the dust like a snake, like reptiles slithering on the ground. They will come trembling from their strongholds in the presence of the LORD our God; they will tremble in fear of You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/3-9.htm">Revelation 3:9</a></span><br />As for those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are liars instead, I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I love you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-8.htm">Genesis 49:8</a></span><br />Judah, your brothers shall praise you. Your hand shall be on the necks of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/45-14.htm">Isaiah 45:14</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, along with the Sabeans, men of stature, will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you; they will come over in chains and bow down to you. They will confess to you: ‘God is indeed with you, and there is no other; there is no other God.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-7.htm">Isaiah 49:7</a></span><br />Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, to Him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the Servant of rulers: “Kings will see You and rise, and princes will bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen You.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-6.htm">Isaiah 60:6</a></span><br />Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah, and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-9.htm">Isaiah 60:9</a></span><br />Surely the islands will wait for Me, with the ships of Tarshish in the lead, to bring your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for He has glorified you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-12.htm">Isaiah 60:12</a></span><br />For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-16.htm">Isaiah 60:16</a></span><br />You will drink the milk of nations and nurse at the breasts of royalty; you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/66-23.htm">Isaiah 66:23</a></span><br />From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come to worship before Me,” says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-10.htm">Philippians 2:10</a></span><br />that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/15-4.htm">Revelation 15:4</a></span><br />Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-24.htm">Revelation 21:24</a></span><br />By its light the nations will walk, and into it the kings of the earth will bring their glory.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.</p><p class="hdg">they that</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/9-18.htm">1 Kings 9:18,20,21</a></b></br> And Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/35-1.htm">Isaiah 35:1,2</a></b></br> The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose… </p><p class="hdg">his enemies</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/2-9.htm">Psalm 2:9</a></b></br> Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/21-8.htm">Psalm 21:8,9</a></b></br> Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/110-1.htm">Psalm 110:1,6</a></b></br> A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool… </p><p class="hdg">lick</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/49-23.htm">Isaiah 49:23</a></b></br> And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with <i>their</i> face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I <i>am</i> the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/micah/7-17.htm">Micah 7:17</a></b></br> They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/71-2.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/psalms/65-12.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/psalms/69-3.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/psalms/44-25.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/psalms/69-36.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/revelation/17-2.htm">Dwellers</a> <a href="/psalms/71-10.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/psalms/69-19.htm">Foes</a> <a href="/psalms/71-13.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/psalms/49-1.htm">Inhabitants</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-38.htm">Lick</a> <a href="/judges/8-11.htm">Nomads</a> <a href="/psalms/69-14.htm">Places</a> <a href="/ezra/6-17.htm">Tribes</a> <a href="/psalms/68-7.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/72-11.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/psalms/74-14.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/psalms/74-14.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/psalms/78-27.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/psalms/74-2.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-3.htm">Dwellers</a> <a href="/psalms/74-4.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/psalms/74-4.htm">Foes</a> <a href="/psalms/74-3.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/psalms/75-3.htm">Inhabitants</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-23.htm">Lick</a> <a href="/judges/8-11.htm">Nomads</a> <a href="/psalms/73-18.htm">Places</a> <a href="/psalms/78-55.htm">Tribes</a> <a href="/psalms/74-14.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 72</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/72-1.htm">David, praying for Solomon, shows the goodness and glory of God's kingdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/72-18.htm">He blessed God</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/72.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/72.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>May the nomads bow before him</b><br>This phrase suggests a universal reign where even those who are typically outside the established societal structures, such as nomads, acknowledge the authority of the king. In biblical times, nomads were often seen as outsiders or wanderers, living on the fringes of settled society. This imagery can be connected to the broader biblical theme of all nations and peoples recognizing the sovereignty of God's anointed king. The bowing of nomads signifies submission and respect, indicating a reign of peace and justice that extends beyond traditional boundaries. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who is prophesied to have a kingdom that includes all peoples and nations, as seen in <a href="/philippians/2-10.htm">Philippians 2:10-11</a>, where every knee shall bow to Jesus.<p><b>and his enemies lick the dust</b><br>This phrase is a vivid depiction of total defeat and humiliation for the king's adversaries. In ancient Near Eastern culture, to "lick the dust" was a metaphor for complete subjugation and disgrace. It implies that the enemies are brought so low that they are prostrate on the ground, a position of utter defeat. This imagery is consistent with other biblical passages that describe the ultimate triumph of God's chosen ruler over his foes, such as in <a href="/isaiah/49-23.htm">Isaiah 49:23</a>, where kings and queens bow down with their faces to the earth. This can also be seen as a prophetic foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate victory over sin and evil, as described in <a href="/revelation/19-11.htm">Revelation 19:11-16</a>, where Christ is depicted as the conquering King of Kings.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/nomads.htm">Nomads</a></b><br>Refers to wandering tribes or people who do not have a permanent home. In the context of ancient Israel, this could include groups like the Bedouins or other desert-dwelling peoples.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies.htm">Enemies</a></b><br>Those who oppose or are hostile to the king or the kingdom. In a broader sense, this can represent any force or person that stands against God's anointed.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_king.htm">The King</a></b><br>While the psalm is attributed to Solomon, it prophetically points to the Messiah, the ultimate King who will reign with justice and righteousness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_desert.htm">The Desert</a></b><br>Often symbolizes desolation and hardship but also a place where God's provision and protection are evident.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_reign_of_the_messiah.htm">The Reign of the Messiah</a></b><br>This psalm is often seen as a messianic prophecy, pointing to the future reign of Christ where peace and justice will prevail.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/submission_to_christ's_authority.htm">Submission to Christ's Authority</a></b><br>Just as the nomads and enemies are depicted as bowing, we are called to submit to Christ's authority in our lives. This involves recognizing His lordship and aligning our actions with His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/victory_over_spiritual_enemies.htm">Victory Over Spiritual Enemies</a></b><br>The imagery of enemies licking the dust reminds us of the ultimate victory we have in Christ over sin and spiritual adversaries. We can live confidently, knowing that Christ has overcome the world.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_universal_reign_of_christ.htm">The Universal Reign of Christ</a></b><br>This psalm points to the future reign of Christ where all nations and peoples will acknowledge His sovereignty. We are encouraged to participate in His mission by sharing the gospel and living as ambassadors of His kingdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_before_god.htm">Humility Before God</a></b><br>The act of bowing is a posture of humility. We are reminded to approach God with humility, acknowledging our dependence on Him for guidance and strength.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_72.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 72</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_92_9_conflict_with_grace.htm">Psalm 92:9 declares all God's enemies shall perish--does this conflict with other passages that suggest the wicked may receive grace or forgiveness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_9_6_align_with_evil's_presence.htm">Psalm 9:6 states the enemy is 'come to a perpetual end,' yet evil persists globally; how can this be reconciled?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_'dust'_praise,_contradicting_mortality.htm">Psalm 30:9: How can 'dust' offer praise, and is this a contradiction of modern understandings of human mortality and consciousness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_psalm_83_nations_unite_against_israel.htm">Does the historical or archaeological record confirm that the nations listed in Psalm 83:6-8 ever formed a united conspiracy against Israel?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/72.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">They that dwell in the wilderness. . .</span> .--The Hebrew word in other places is used of "wild animals" (<a href="/psalms/74-14.htm" title="You brake the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gave him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.">Psalm 74:14</a>; <a href="/isaiah/23-13.htm" title="Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, till the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness: they set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof; and he brought it to ruin.">Isaiah 23:13</a>). Here apparently it refers to the nomad tribes wandering over the desert. The LXX. and ancient versions generally have "'thiopians."<p><span class= "bld">Lick the dust.</span>--The allusion is to the Eastern etiquette of prostration before a sovereign.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/72.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They that dwell in the wilderness shall how before him</span> (for the meaning here assigned to <span class="accented">tsiyyim</span> (<span class="hebrew">ציּים</span>), see <a href="/psalms/74-14.htm">Psalm 74:14</a>; <a href="/isaiah/23-13.htm">Isaiah 23:13</a>). The wild tribes of the Syrian and Arabian deserts are probably intended (comp. <a href="/isaiah/60-6.htm">Isaiah 60:6, 7</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And his enemies shall lick the dust</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, prostrate themselves at his feet with their faces in the dust. See the Assyrian representations of Oriental prostrations ('Ancient Monarchies,' vol. 1, pp. 266, 502). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/72-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">May the nomads</span><br /><span class="heb">צִיִּ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(ṣî·yîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6728.htm">Strong's 6728: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wild beast of the desert, that dwell in inhabiting the wilderness </span><br /><br /><span class="word">bow</span><br /><span class="heb">יִכְרְע֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiḵ·rə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3766.htm">Strong's 3766: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before him,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְ֭פָנָיו</span> <span class="translit">(lə·p̄ā·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and his enemies</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝אֹיְבָ֗יו</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ō·yə·ḇāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_341.htm">Strong's 341: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hating, an adversary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lick</span><br /><span class="heb">יְלַחֵֽכוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yə·la·ḥê·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3897.htm">Strong's 3897: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lick</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the dust.</span><br /><span class="heb">עָפָ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·p̄ār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dust, clay, earth, mud</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/72-9.htm">Psalm 72:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/72-9.htm">Psalm 72:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/72-9.htm">Psalm 72:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/72-9.htm">Psalm 72:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/72-9.htm">Psalm 72:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/72-9.htm">Psalm 72:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/72-9.htm">Psalm 72:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/72-9.htm">Psalm 72:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/72-9.htm">Psalm 72:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/72-9.htm">Psalm 72:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/72-9.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 72:9 Those who dwell in the wilderness shall (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/72-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 72:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 72:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/72-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 72:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 72:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>