Psalms 9:10
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Psalms 9:10
This verse ties knowledge of God to trust in God. Knowing God’s name in biblical Hebrew thought conveys more than intellectual awareness; it signals relationship, character, and faithfulness. The psalmist asserts that those who know God will put their trust in him, especially because God has not forsaken those who seek him. In the ancient Near East, “name” carried authority and presence; to know God’s name was to approach him with confidence. The promise contrasts with the experience of abandonment many feel in distress. The verse sits within a psalm that celebrates God’s justice and mercy against the wicked and for the afflicted, so knowing God becomes the basis for confident reliance in the face of oppression.
Trust rooted in knowledge of God emphasizes God’s faithfulness and reliability. It reframes belief not as a vague sentiment but as a conscious dependence on a God who hears, sees, and acts for his people. The line “thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee” reinforces the biblical motif of seeking God as the path to protection and blessing. It also challenges readers to consider what they know about God: his justice, mercy, steadfast love, and faithfulness. Theologically, it links knowledge to relationship, faith to action, and assurance to seeking God in prayer and life, not merely in theory.
Knowing God isn’t just head knowledge; it becomes a life posture. Practical steps: study Scripture to learn who God is, commit to daily prayer or moments of pause to seek God, and observe how God has acted in your life or in your community. When anxiety rises, repeat a simple truth you know about God’s character—he is faithful, he hears, he will not abandon you. Build a community that reflects trust in God: share testimonies, encourage one another with reminders of God’s faithfulness, and seek accountability. If you’re tempted to doubt because circumstances are hard, recall times you’ve sensed God’s presence in difficult seasons. Trust grows as you practice seeking God in small things—finding a parking space, managing a conflict, choosing forgiveness.
Cross-References: Psalm 4:5; Psalm 27:14; Psalm 31:14-24; Isaiah 26:4; John 14:1