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Psalm 64:9

All mankind shall be afraid. They shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely ponder what he has done.

7But God will shoot at them. They will be suddenly struck down with an arrow.
8Their own tongues shall ruin them. All who see them will shake their heads.
9All mankind shall be afraid. They shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely ponder what he has done.
10The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall take refuge in him. All the upright in heart shall praise him!
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← Psalm 64:8Psalm 64:10 →
Notice

Fear spreads to all mankind after God strikes down the attackers, and the verse moves from public declaration toward careful thought about what he has done.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

How does the judgment in the preceding verses shape your understanding of the fear described here?

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What difference do you see between declaring God's work and pondering what he has done?

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What would you want to understand before speaking about an event as God's judgment?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Numbers 23:23Surely there is no enchantment with Jacob; neither is there any divination with Israel. Now it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘What has God done!’Both passages anticipate people speaking about what God has done, making his work a matter of public recognition.
Psalm 58:11so that men shall say, “Most certainly there is a reward for the righteous. Most certainly there is a God who judges the earth.”Both passages describe people recognizing God's judgment and speaking about his action in the world.
Jeremiah 51:10‘The LORD has produced our righteousness. Come, and let’s declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God.’Both passages connect God's action with people declaring his work.
Exodus 9:16but indeed for this cause I have made you stand: to show you my power, and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth,Both passages link God's visible action with declaration that extends beyond those first involved.
Psalm 107:43Whoever is wise will pay attention to these things. They will consider the loving kindnesses of the LORD.Both passages connect wisdom with careful attention to what God has done.
Hosea 14:9Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Who is prudent, that he may know them? For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them, …Both passages connect wisdom with understanding God’s ways or works and taking them seriously.
Isaiah 26:9With my soul I have desired you in the night. Yes, with my spirit within me I will seek you earnestly; for when your judgments are on the earth, the …Both passages describe God's judgments prompting a response across humanity, with people learning or pondering what his actions mean.
Psalm 40:3He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.Both passages describe God's work becoming known to others and producing fear among those who witness it.
Isaiah 5:12The harp, lyre, tambourine, and flute, with wine, are at their feasts; but they don’t respect the work of the LORD, neither have they considered the operation …Both concern attention to God's work: Psalm 64 anticipates thoughtful recognition, while Isaiah describes people who refuse to consider it.
Psalm 107:42–43The upright will see it, and be glad. All the wicked will shut their mouths.Both describe people responding to what they witness, though Psalm 64 emphasizes fear and Psalm 107 names the upright's gladness.
Ecclesiastes 3:14I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before …Both passages connect what God does with the fear people have before him.
Job 37:7He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it.Both passages describe God's action leading people toward recognition of what he has done.
Where this verse fits

Injustice and anger. sermon or Bible study notes. praise and worship.

What the Bible says about anger →What the Bible says about worship →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Read verses 7–10 and mark the responses to God's judgment

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Encouragement

When wrong seems unchecked, this psalm speaks of God acting against it. The response it describes is fear and careful thought about what he has done.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 64:9. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 64 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).