Psalms 9:12

Psalms 9:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
• New International Version (NIV)For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
• New King James Version (NKJV)When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble.

Context of Psalms 9:12

10Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. 11Sing praises to the Lord who reigns in Jerusalem. Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds. For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless. He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer. 13Lord, have mercy on me. See how my enemies torment me. Snatch me back from the jaws of death. 14Save me so I can praise you publicly at Jerusalem’s gates, so I can rejoice that you have rescued me.

Psalms 9:12 word by word

כִּֽי־דֹרֵ֣שׁ דָּ֭מִים אוֹתָ֣ם זָכָ֑ר לֹֽא־שָׁ֝כַ֗ח צַעֲקַ֥ת עֲנָוִֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• When he maketh inquisitionדָּרַשׁdârash · to seekH1875
• for bloodדָּםdâm · bloodH1818
• he rememberethזָכַרzâkar · to rememberH2142
• them: he forgettethשָׁכַחshâkach shâkêach · to forgetH7911
• not the cryצְעָקָהtsa‛ăqâh · cryH6818
• of the humbleעָנִי‛ânîy · afflictedH6041
• of the humbleעָנָו‛ânâv ‛ânâyv · poorH6035

Cross-references for Psalms 9:12

• Genesis 9:5“And I will require the blood of anyone who takes another person’s life. If a wild animal kills a person, it must die. And anyone who murders a fellow human must die.
• 2 Kings 24:4who had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood. The Lord would not forgive this.
• Isaiah 26:21Look! The Lord is coming from heaven to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will no longer hide those who have been killed. They will be brought out for all to see.
• Matthew 23:35As a result, you will be held responsible for the murder of all godly people of all time—from the murder of righteous Abel to the murder of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you killed in the Temple between the sanctuary and the altar.
• Luke 11:50“As a result, this generation will be held responsible for the murder of all God’s prophets from the creation of the world—
• Revelation 6:9When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony.
• Revelation 16:6Since they shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, you have given them blood to drink. It is their just reward.”
• Psalms 10:14But you see the trouble and grief they cause. You take note of it and punish them. The helpless put their trust in you. You defend the orphans.
• Psalms 22:24For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.
• Psalms 34:6In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
• Psalms 102:17He will listen to the prayers of the destitute. He will not reject their pleas.
• Exodus 3:7Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering.
• Luke 18:7Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?
• Judges 10:16Then the Israelites put aside their foreign gods and served the Lord. And he was grieved by their misery.

Commentaries on Psalms 9:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12When he maketh inquisition for blood - This not only applies to the Canaanites, Moabites, Ammonites, and Philistines, who shed the blood of God's people unjustly, but to all the nations of the earth who, to enlarge their territory, increase their wealth, or extend their commerce, have made destructive wars. For the blood which such nations have shed, their blood shall be shed. If man should make no inquisition for this iniquitously spilt blood, God will…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12When he maketh inquisition for blood - When he “inquires” after blood; that is, when he comes forth with this view, to wit, for purposes of punishment. There is allusion here to such passages as that in Genesis 9:5, “And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man.” The idea is, that when blood was shed in murder, God would seek out the murderer; he would require satisfaction of him…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-20Verses 11-20 Those who believe that God is greatly to be praised, not only desire to praise him better themselves, but desire that others may join with them. There is a day coming, when it will appear that he has not forgotten the cry of the humble; neither the cry of their blood, or the cry of their prayers. We are never brought so low, so near to death, but God can raise us up. If he has saved us from spiritual and eternal death, we may thence hope…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12The Lord saves his servants and punishes those who have harmed them (Psalm 18:46). He defends his servants by fairly judging his enemies on earth (Psalm 58:11). Those who follow God do not seek revenge. Instead, they wait for the Lord to defend them (Psalm 94:1–2; Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. for blood--that is, murders (Psa 5:6), including all the oppressions of His people. maketh inquisition--(compare Ge 9:5). He will avenge their cause.Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 9:12

• Homicide
• Humility
• Prayer

In the dictionaries

• Cry
• Endure
• Gate
• Inquisition
• Muthlabben
• Perpetual
• Refuge
• Rejoice
• Snare
• Acrostic

Commentaries on Psalms 9

• 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
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings