For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.

PSALMS 92:9KJV
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Psalms 92:9 (KJV)

What does Psalms 92:9 mean?

Psalms 92:9 says that those who oppose the LORD and do evil will not prevail. The speaker addresses the LORD directly and describes the defeat of his enemies, whose destruction and scattering stand in contrast to the LORD’s lasting position.

The repeated “for, lo” calls attention to the statement that follows. Coming after verse 8, the repetition gives the speaker’s words the force of a public announcement.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 92:9

  • “iniquity” — אָוֶן (aven): This word can mean wrongdoing or evil. Here it describes the conduct of the people called “workers of iniquity,” not merely a mistake they have made.
  • “scattered” — פָּרַד (parad): This word carries the sense of being separated or dispersed. The picture is of people being broken apart rather than remaining together.

Why Psalms 92:9 matters

  • The verse places the enemies’ fate against the LORD’s enduring position. Verse 8 says the LORD is “most high for evermore,” while verse 9 says his enemies “shall perish.”
  • The two descriptions point to the same people from different angles. They are both “thine enemies,” addressed to the LORD, and “workers of iniquity,” described by their conduct.
  • The verse prepares for a contrast in the passage. The scattering of evildoers in verse 9 is followed by the speaker’s own strength being raised in verse 10.

Where else these words appear

“scattered” Hebrew H6504 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 2:10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
  • Deuteronomy 32:8 When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
  • Job 41:17 They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.

“workers” Hebrew H6466 · used in 55 verses

  • Exodus 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
  • Psalms 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
  • Psalms 125:5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

“iniquity” Hebrew H205 · used in 78 verses

  • Numbers 23:21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
  • Psalms 41:6 And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
  • Proverbs 21:15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.