Psalms 32:9

Psalms 32:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

Context of Psalms 32:9

7You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. 8I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. 10Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. 11Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Psalms 32:9 word by word

אַל־תִּֽהְי֤וּ׀ כְּס֥וּס כְּפֶרֶד֮ אֵ֤ין הָ֫בִ֥ין בְּמֶֽתֶג־וָרֶ֣סֶן עֶדְי֣וֹ לִבְל֑וֹם בַּ֝֗ל קְרֹ֣ב אֵלֶֽיךָ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Be ye not as the horseסוּסsûs sûs · horseH5483
• as the muleפֶּ֫רֶדpered · muleH6505
• have no understandingבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
• whose mouthעֲדִי‛ădîy · ornamentH5716
• must be heldבָּלַםbâlam · to hold inH1102
• in with bitמֶ֫תֶגmetheg · bridleH4964
• and bridleרֶ֫סֶןresen · bridleH7448
• lestבַּלbal · notH1077
• they come nearקָרַבqârab · to present: comeH7126

Cross-references for Psalms 32:9

• Proverbs 26:3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
• Jeremiah 31:18“I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me like an unruly calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me, and I will return, because you are the Lord my God.
• James 3:3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
• James 4:7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
• Job 35:11who teaches us more than he teaches the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds in the sky?’
• Jeremiah 4:22“My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good.”
• Jeremiah 8:6I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. None of them repent of their wickedness, saying, “What have I done?” Each pursues their own course like a horse charging into battle.

Commentaries on Psalms 32:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9Be ye not as the horse or as the mule - They will only act by force and constraint; be not like them; give a willing service to your Maker. "They have no understanding;" you have a rational soul, made to be guided and influenced by reason. The service of your God is a reasonable service; act, therefore, as a rational being. The horse and the mule are turned with difficulty; they must be constrained with bit and bridle. Do not be like them; do not oblige…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9Be ye not as the horse - The horse as it is by nature - wild, ungoverned, unwilling to be caught and made obedient. The counsel referred to in the previous verse is here given; and it is, that one who wishes to obtain the favor of God should not be as the wild and unbroken horse, an animal that can be subdued only by a curb, but should evince a calm, submissive spirit - a spirit “disposed” to obey and submit. If he becomes a subject of God‘s government…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-11Verses 8-11 God teaches by his word, and guides with the secret intimations of his will. David gives a word of caution to sinners. The reason for this caution is, that the way of sin will certainly end in sorrow. Here is a word of comfort to saints. They may see that a life of communion with God is far the most pleasant and comfortable. Let us rejoice, O Lord Jesus, in thee, and in thy salvation; so shall we rejoice indeed.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9The foolish person lacks wisdom. Ignoring the Lord’s advice harms life and makes a person like an animal (see Isaiah 1:3; James 3:3).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. The latter clause, more literally, "in that they come not near thee"; that is, because they will not come, &c., unless forced by bit and bridle.Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 32:9

• Animals
• Bit
• Bridle
• Impenitence
• Self-Will

In the dictionaries

• Bit and Bridle
• Acknowledge
• Bit
• Bridle
• Cover
• Hide
• Horse
• Mule
• Pentateuch
• Psalms, Book of

Commentaries on Psalms 32

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings