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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 9:20 Lay terror upon them, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Selah</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/9-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/19_Psa_009_020.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 9:20 - I Will Give Thanks to the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Lay terror upon them, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. 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Let the nations know they are merely human. Interlude<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Put them in fear, O LORD! Let the nations know that they are but men! Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Lay terror upon them, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Put them in fear, O LORD: <i>that</i> the nations may know themselves <i>to be but</i> men. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Put them in fear, O LORD, <i>That</i> the nations may know themselves <i>to be but</i> men. Selah</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Put them in fear, LORD; Let the nations know that they are <i>merely</i> human. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Put them in fear, O LORD; Let the nations know that they are but men. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Put them in fear, O LORD; Let the nations know that they are but men. Selah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Put them in fear, O Yahweh; Let the nations know that they are but men. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Put them in [reverent] fear of You, O LORD, So that the nations may know they are but [frail and mortal] men. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Put terror in them, LORD; let the nations know they are only humans. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Put terror in them, LORD; let the nations know they are only men. Selah <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Put them in fear, O Jehovah: Let the nations know themselves to be but men. [Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Make the nations afraid and let them all discover just how weak they are. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Put them in fear, O LORD: let the nations know themselves to be but men. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Strike them with terror, O LORD. Let the nations know that they are [only] mortal. [Selah]<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Make them afraid, O LORD; make them know that they are only mortal beings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Make them afraid, LORD, Let the nations know that they are only human. Interlude<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Lay terror upon them, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Terrify them, LORD! Let the nations know they are mere mortals! (Selah) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Terrify them, LORD. Let the nations know that they are only human. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Put them in fear, Yahweh. Let the nations know that they are only men. Selah. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Appoint them to fear, O YHWH, "" Let nations know they [are] men! Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Appoint, O Jehovah, a director to them, Let nations know they are men! Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Put fear to them, O Jehovah: the nations shall know they are man. Silence.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Appoint, O Lord, a lawgiver over them: that the Gentiles may know themselves to be but men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 9:21>O Lord, establish a lawgiver over them, so that the Gentiles may know that they are only men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Strike them with terror, LORD; show the nations they are only human. <i>Selah</i> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Put them in fear, O LORD; let the nations know that they are only human. Selah<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Appoint for them a lawgiver, that the Gentiles may know themselves to be but men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Establish a lawgiver for them, who shall instruct the nations that they are children of men. <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Set terror over them, O LORD; Let the nations know they are but men. Selah <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Appoint, O Lord, a lawgiver over them: let the heathen know that they are men. Pause.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/9-20.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=809" 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/9.htm">I Will Give Thanks to the LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>Rise up, O LORD, do not let man prevail; let the nations be judged in Your presence. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7896.htm" title="7896: šî·ṯāh (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To put, set. A primitive root; to place.">Lay</a> <a href="/hebrew/4172.htm" title="4172: mō·w·rāh (N-ms) -- A fear, terror. Or morat; or morah; from yare'; fear; by implication, a fearful thing or deed.">terror</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">upon them, O LORD;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: ḡō·w·yim (N-mp) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">let the nations</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yê·ḏə·‘ū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep-l:: Pro-3mp) -- ">they</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’ĕ·nō·wōš (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">are but men.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm·māh (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5542.htm" title="5542: se·lāh (Interjection) -- To lift up, exalt. From calah; suspension, i.e. Pause.">Selah</a> </span><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/2-11.htm">Isaiah 2:11-12</a></span><br />The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. / For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-20.htm">Isaiah 37:20</a></span><br />And now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-10.htm">Jeremiah 10:10</a></span><br />But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/30-19.htm">Ezekiel 30:19</a></span><br />So I will execute judgment on Egypt, and they will know that I am the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-35.htm">Daniel 4:35</a></span><br />All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/26-13.htm">Isaiah 26:13-14</a></span><br />O LORD our God, other lords besides You have ruled over us, but Your name alone do we confess. / The dead will not live; the departed spirits will not rise. Therefore You have punished and destroyed them; You have wiped out all memory of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-2.htm">Isaiah 64:2</a></span><br />as fire kindles the brushwood and causes the water to boil, to make Your name known to Your enemies, so that the nations will tremble at Your presence!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-6.htm">2 Chronicles 20:6</a></span><br />and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/12-23.htm">Job 12:23</a></span><br />He makes nations great and destroys them; He enlarges nations, then disperses them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/46-10.htm">Psalm 46:10</a></span><br />“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/83-17.htm">Psalm 83:17-18</a></span><br />May they be ever ashamed and terrified; may they perish in disgrace. / May they know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, are Most High over all the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/59-13.htm">Psalm 59:13</a></span><br />Consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, so it may be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-10.htm">Psalm 33:10</a></span><br />The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/46-8.htm">Psalm 46:8-9</a></span><br />Come, see the works of the LORD, who brings devastation upon the earth. / He makes wars to cease throughout the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields in the fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/47-2.htm">Psalm 47:2</a></span><br />How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth!</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.</p><p class="hdg">Put</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/76-12.htm">Psalm 76:12</a></b></br> He shall cut off the spirit of princes: <i>he is</i> terrible to the kings of the earth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/15-16.htm">Exodus 15:16</a></b></br> Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be <i>as</i> still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, <i>which</i> thou hast purchased.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-27.htm">Exodus 23:27</a></b></br> I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.</p><p class="hdg">may</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/82-6.htm">Psalm 82:6,7</a></b></br> I have said, Ye <i>are</i> gods; and all of you <i>are</i> children of the most High… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/31-3.htm">Isaiah 31:3</a></b></br> Now the Egyptians <i>are</i> men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/28-2.htm">Ezekiel 28:2,9</a></b></br> Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart <i>is</i> lifted up, and thou hast said, I <i>am</i> a God, I sit <i>in</i> the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou <i>art</i> a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/38-33.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/psalms/9-1.htm">Director</a> <a href="/psalms/5-7.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/psalms/9-19.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/psalms/9-16.htm">Selah</a> <a href="/psalms/3-7.htm">Strike</a> <a href="/job/41-33.htm">Terror</a> <a href="/psalms/5-5.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/45-16.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/psalms/11-1.htm">Director</a> <a href="/psalms/14-5.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/psalms/10-16.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/psalms/20-3.htm">Selah</a> <a href="/psalms/10-18.htm">Strike</a> <a href="/psalms/10-18.htm">Terror</a> <a href="/psalms/14-1.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/9-1.htm">David praises God for executing judgment</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/9-11.htm">He incites others to praise him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/9-13.htm">He prays that he may have cause to praise him</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/9.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/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Lay terror upon them, O LORD;</b><br>This phrase is a plea for divine intervention, asking God to instill fear in the hearts of the nations. In the biblical context, "terror" often refers to a profound awe or fear of God's power and judgment. This request reflects the psalmist's desire for God to demonstrate His sovereignty and justice. Historically, Israel often found itself surrounded by hostile nations, and this plea can be seen as a call for God to protect His people by showing His might. Theologically, it underscores the belief in God's active role in human affairs, where He can influence the course of events to fulfill His purposes.<p><b>let the nations know they are but men.</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the mortality and limitations of human beings in contrast to the eternal and omnipotent nature of God. It serves as a reminder of human frailty and the futility of opposing God's will. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, where nations often boasted of their power and deities, this statement is a humbling acknowledgment that all human power is ultimately subordinate to God's authority. This theme is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/isaiah/40-15.htm">Isaiah 40:15-17</a>, which speaks of the nations as insignificant before God. It also points to the eschatological hope that all nations will eventually recognize God's supremacy.<p><b>Selah</b><br>The term "Selah" is often found in the Psalms and is thought to be a musical or liturgical pause, inviting the reader or listener to reflect on the preceding words. It serves as a moment to meditate on the gravity of the request and the truths expressed. In this context, it encourages contemplation of God's power and the rightful place of humanity under His dominion. The use of "Selah" here invites believers to pause and consider the implications of God's sovereignty and the call for nations to recognize their human limitations.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and self-existent nature. In this Psalm, He is called upon to act in judgment and reveal His sovereignty.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_nations.htm">The Nations</a></b><br>Refers to the Gentile nations surrounding Israel, often seen as adversaries to God's people. The Psalmist asks God to remind them of their human limitations.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_psalmist.htm">The Psalmist (David)</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed to King David, who often wrote Psalms seeking God's intervention against his enemies and expressing trust in God's justice.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_nations.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Nations</a></b><br>Recognize that God is in control of all nations and their leaders. He can humble them and remind them of their human limitations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humanity's_dependence_on_god.htm">Humanity's Dependence on God</a></b><br>Understand that all people, regardless of power or status, are ultimately dependent on God. This should lead to humility and reverence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_for_justice.htm">Prayer for Justice</a></b><br>Like the Psalmist, we can pray for God to act justly in the world, trusting that He will reveal His power and righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fear_of_the_lord.htm">The Fear of the Lord</a></b><br>Cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord, acknowledging His authority and our need to submit to His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_righteous_judgment.htm">Hope in God's Righteous Judgment</a></b><br>Find hope in the fact that God will one day set all things right, bringing justice to the nations and peace to His people.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_idol_food.htm">What does the Bible say about food offered to idols?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_god's_rule_with_oppression.htm">How can we reconcile God's ultimate kingship with the continuing oppression seen throughout history? (Psalm 10:16-18)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_psalm_2_9_mention_iron_rule.htm">Why does Psalm 2:9 describe smashing nations with a rod of iron when there's no archaeological evidence of a global Davidic reign?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_judgment.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on judgment?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">Put them in fear.</span>--There is a difficulty about the reading. The LXX., Vulg., and Syriac read "place a lawgiver or master over them." So Syriac, "law." Hitzig conjectures, "set a guard upon them." With the present reading apparently the rendering should be, <span class= "ital">put a terror upon them: i.e.</span>, "give such a proof of power as to trouble and subdue them."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Put them in fear, O Lord</span>; literally, set <span class="accented">fear to them</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "make them afraid," either by striking a panic terror into them, as into the Syrians when they had brought Samaria to the last gasp (<a href="/2_kings/7-6.htm">2 Kings 7:6, 7</a>), or by causing them calmly to review the situation, and to see how dangerous it was to assail God's people (<a href="/2_kings/6-23.htm">2 Kings 6:23</a>). That the nations may know themselves to be but men. May recognize, <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, their weakness; may remember that they are <span class="accented">enosh</span> - mere weak, frail, sickly, perishing mortals. Selah. Here this word occurs for the second time at the end of a psalm (see above, <a href="/psalms/3-8.htm">Psalm 3:8</a>) - a position which militates against the idea of its signifying "a pause," since there must always have been a pause at the end of every psalm. <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/9-20.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">Lay</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁ֘יתָ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(šî·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7896.htm">Strong's 7896: </a> </span><span class="str2">To put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">terror</span><br /><span class="heb">מוֹרָ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(mō·w·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4172.htm">Strong's 4172: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fear, a fearful thing, deed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">upon them, [O LORD];</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֨ה ׀</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3069.htm">Strong's 3069: </a> </span><span class="str2">YHWH</span><br /><br /><span class="word">let the nations</span><br /><span class="heb">גוֹיִ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḡō·w·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts</span><br /><br /><span class="word">know</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵדְע֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yê·ḏə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֫הֶ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(lā·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are but men.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱנ֖וֹשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·nō·wōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_582.htm">Strong's 582: </a> </span><span class="str2">Man, mankind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Selah</span><br /><span class="heb">סֶּֽלָה׃</span> <span class="translit">(se·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5542.htm">Strong's 5542: </a> </span><span class="str2">Suspension, pause</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/9-20.htm">Psalm 9:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/9-20.htm">Psalm 9:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/9-20.htm">Psalm 9:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/9-20.htm">Psalm 9:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/9-20.htm">Psalm 9:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/9-20.htm">Psalm 9:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/9-20.htm">Psalm 9:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/9-20.htm">Psalm 9:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/9-20.htm">Psalm 9:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/9-20.htm">Psalm 9:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/9-20.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 9:20 Put them in fear Yahweh (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/9-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 9:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 9:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/10-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 10:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 10:1" /></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>