Psalms 9:20
Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.
Psalms 9:20
This verse functions as a plea that God would instill fear in the nations so they would recognize their fragility before Him. The phrase “Put them in fear, O LORD” shadows the earlier prayer for divine judgment, reorienting the motive from vengeance to reform. The psalmist understands that fear of the Lord is the proper framework for wisdom and humility. “That the nations may know themselves to be but men” (or “mere mortals”) foregrounds human elevation as precarious, prone to error, and limited in the face of divine sovereignty. The Psalm’s cadence—Selah—invites contemplation, signaling a pause to consider the weight of this truth. In a world where nations boast in power, the psalmist’s aim is not conquest but conversion: recognizing human finitude before the infinite God.
The verse underscores a recurring biblical theme: true wisdom begins with a proper fear of God, which yields humility and repentance. It challenges political and military arrogance by reminding nations that their strength does not exempt them from accountability. The call for fear is thus redemptive, inviting nations to turn from self-dependence toward dependence on God. It also reframes justice as not merely punitive but corrective—so that all people, including rulers, may align with God’s moral order. The verse contributes to the biblical anthropology that humanity’s ultimate measure is not prowess but alignment with divine truth and mercy.
Practically, this verse can shape how communities respond to national or organizational power imbalances. When policies or leaders threaten the vulnerable, praying for God to “put them in fear” can translate into pursuing accountability through civic means, transparency, and advocacy. It also invites personal humility: recognizing our own limitations and the need for God’s guidance to discern right from wrong in complex issues. In daily life, encounter with those who wield influence—bosses, peers, or institutions—should be met with both courage and compassion, trusting God to steward justice. Selah invites you to pause and consider how fear of the Lord can recalibrate your own ambitions and actions toward mercy and truth.
Cross-References: Psalm 2:10-12; Proverbs 9:10; Isaiah 11:2-3; Romans 11:20; Acts 9:31