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Psalm 9:5
You have rebuked the nations. You have destroyed the wicked. You have blotted out their name forever and ever.
3When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish in your presence.
4For you have maintained my just cause. You sit on the throne judging righteously.
5You have rebuked the nations. You have destroyed the wicked. You have blotted out their name forever and ever.
6The enemy is overtaken by endless ruin. The very memory of the cities which you have overthrown has perished.
7But the LORD reigns forever. He has prepared his throne for judgment.
Notice
The words “destroyed the wicked” make this a severe account of God’s judgment, spoken by someone whose just cause God has upheld.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What troubles or comforts you about God blotting out even the name of the wicked?
Write on thisHow does the surrounding description of God judging righteously shape your reading of this destruction?
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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
Proverbs 10:7The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.Both texts describe the loss of the wicked person’s name, linking wickedness with the ruin of remembrance.
Exodus 32:33The LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot him out of my book.Both passages describe God blotting someone out, with Exodus specifying his book and naming sin against him.
Psalm 145:20The LORD preserves all those who love him, but he will destroy all the wicked.Both psalms name God as the one who destroys the wicked.
Malachi 4:3You shall tread down the wicked; for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I make,” says the LORD of Armies.Both passages describe the destruction of the wicked under God’s authority, with Malachi depicting them as ashes underfoot.
Revelation 19:15Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the wine press …Both passages depict judgment against nations, with Revelation describing a sword and the wrath of God.
Deuteronomy 9:14Leave me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under the sky; and I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they.”Both passages pair destruction with blotting out a name, and God is the one who acts.
Proverbs 13:9The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.Both texts portray an end to the wicked, expressed in Proverbs through a lamp being snuffed out.
Isaiah 17:13The nations will rush like the rushing of many waters, but he will rebuke them, and they will flee far off, and will be chased like the chaff of the mountains …Both passages speak of God rebuking nations, whose strength fails before him.
Deuteronomy 25:6It shall be that the firstborn whom she bears shall succeed in the name of his brother who is dead, that his name not be blotted out of Israel.Both texts speak of a name being blotted out; Deuteronomy provides for preserving a dead brother’s name.
Deuteronomy 7:24He will deliver their kings into your hand, and you shall make their name perish from under the sky. No one will be able to stand before you until you have …Both passages connect the destruction of enemies with their names perishing, though Deuteronomy also assigns action to its hearers.
Psalm 79:10Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Let it be known among the nations, before our eyes, that vengeance for your servants’ blood is being poured …Both psalms address God concerning judgment among the nations, with Psalm 79 seeking vengeance for his servants’ blood.
2 Samuel 17:23When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, arose, and went home to his city, set his house in order, and hanged himself; and …The link is limited to death and destruction; Ahithophel’s account does not name divine judgment or an erased name.
Where this verse fits
Injustice and anger. sermon or Bible study notes.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
The speaker credits God with ending his enemies’ power and erasing their name. In the surrounding lines, God judges righteously and continues to reign.
Now put it in your words.
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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).