This verse powerfully conveys that God alone is sovereign, and when He acts, all humanity will see their limitations before His majesty.
When David proclaims, “Put them in fear, O LORD; Let the nations know that they are but men. Selah.” (v.20), he is asking God to demonstrate His unmatched power over the surrounding peoples of the ancient Near East—such as the Philistines, Ammonites, or Moabites—who often threatened Israel. David served as the second king of Israel from around 1010-970 BC, and in this psalm he depicts God as the divine Ruler who causes even the proudest of nations to tremble. The word translated “fear” here underscores a profound awe and reverence, reminding the peoples of that region that they are finite compared to the all-powerful Lord.
By urging the nations to realize “they are but men” (v.20), David contrasts God’s eternal sovereignty with human limitations and mortality. According to Scripture, fear is a prime motivator for human action, and directing that fear toward God—that is, cultivating reverence for Him—brings wisdom and humility (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7). In his request, David essentially prays for God to humble the arrogant so they would recognize that control, security, and ultimate victory belong to the Lord alone.
This verse also foreshadows the New Testament emphasis that salvation and real freedom arise from acknowledging God’s authority rather than exalting human power. By trembling before God, people orient their hearts to God’s design and avoid the destructive path of self-reliance that leads to ruin (James 4:6). In Psalm 9:20, David thus invites everyone—both Israel and the surrounding lands—to adopt a posture of humility before the true King, trusting Him above all else.
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Psalms 9:20 meaning
When David proclaims, “Put them in fear, O LORD; Let the nations know that they are but men. Selah.” (v.20), he is asking God to demonstrate His unmatched power over the surrounding peoples of the ancient Near East—such as the Philistines, Ammonites, or Moabites—who often threatened Israel. David served as the second king of Israel from around 1010-970 BC, and in this psalm he depicts God as the divine Ruler who causes even the proudest of nations to tremble. The word translated “fear” here underscores a profound awe and reverence, reminding the peoples of that region that they are finite compared to the all-powerful Lord.
By urging the nations to realize “they are but men” (v.20), David contrasts God’s eternal sovereignty with human limitations and mortality. According to Scripture, fear is a prime motivator for human action, and directing that fear toward God—that is, cultivating reverence for Him—brings wisdom and humility (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7). In his request, David essentially prays for God to humble the arrogant so they would recognize that control, security, and ultimate victory belong to the Lord alone.
This verse also foreshadows the New Testament emphasis that salvation and real freedom arise from acknowledging God’s authority rather than exalting human power. By trembling before God, people orient their hearts to God’s design and avoid the destructive path of self-reliance that leads to ruin (James 4:6). In Psalm 9:20, David thus invites everyone—both Israel and the surrounding lands—to adopt a posture of humility before the true King, trusting Him above all else.