Refuge of the Poor

Psalms 9

David gives thanks for the Lord's judgment upon the nations and his defense of the poor, then describes a proud and violent man who lies in wait for the helpless and denies that God will call him to account, closing with a plea for the Lord to rise up and defend the orphan and the afflicted.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

Thomson—

BrentonFor the end, a Psalm of David, concerning the secrets of the Son.

GreekΕἰς τὸ τέλος, ὑπὲρ τῶν κρυφίων τοῦ υἱοῦ, ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυίδ.

KJV—

JPSFor the Leader; upon Muthlabben. A Psalm of David.

ThomsonI WILL praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart,

BrentonI will give thanks to thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will recount all thy wonderful works.

GreekἘξομολογήσομαι σοι Κύριε ἐν ὅλῃ καρδίᾳ μου, διηγήσομαι πάντα τὰ θαυμάσιά σου.

KJVI will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

JPSI will give thanks unto the LORD with my whole heart; I will tell of all Thy marvellous works.

ThomsonI will relate all Thy wondrous works. Let me be gladdened and rejoice in Thee; to Thy name I will sing, O Thou Most High.

BrentonI will be glad and exult in thee: I will sing to thy name, O thou Most High.

GreekΕὐφρανθήσομαι καὶ ἀγαλλιάσομαι ἐν σοὶ, ψαλῶ τῷ ὀνόματί σου ὕψιστε.

KJVI will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

JPSI will be glad and exult in Thee; I will sing praise to Thy name, O Most High:

ThomsonWhen this enemy of mine is turned back, at Thy presence they shall faint and perish;

BrentonWhen mine enemies are turned back, they shall be feeble and perish at thy presence.

GreekἘν τῷ ἀποστραφῆναι τὸν ἐχθρόν μου εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, ἀσθενήσουσι καὶ ἀπολοῦνται ἀπὸ προσώπου σου.

KJVWhen mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.

JPSWhen mine enemies are turned back, They stumble and perish at Thy presence;

Thomsonbecause Thou hast maintained my right and my cause.

BrentonFor thou hast maintained my cause and my right; thou satest on the throne, that judgest righteousness.

GreekὍτι ἐποίησας τὴν κρίσιν μου καὶ τὴν δίκην μου, ἐκάθισας ἐπὶ θρόνου ὁ κρίνων δικαιοσύνην.

KJVFor thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.

JPSFor Thou hast maintained my right and my cause; Thou sattest upon the throne as the righteous Judge.

ThomsonThou the righteous judge hast sat on the throne; Thou hast rebuked nations, and the wicked one is destroyed. Thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever.

BrentonThou hast rebuked the nations, and the ungodly one has perished; thou hast blotted out their name for ever, even for ever and ever.

GreekἘπετίμησας ἔθνεσι, καὶ ἀπώλετο ὁ ἀσεβὴς· τὸ ὄνομα αὐτῶν ἐξήλειψας εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, καὶ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος.

KJVThou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.

JPSThou hast rebuked the nations, Thou hast destroyed the wicked, Thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever.

ThomsonThe enemy’s swords have utterly failed, and Thou hast completely destroyed cities, the memorial of them with their din is gone.

BrentonThe swords of the enemy have failed utterly; and thou hast destroyed cities: their memorial has been destroyed with a noise,

GreekΤοῦ ἐχθροῦ ἐξέλιπον αἱ ῥομφαῖαι εἰς τέλος, καὶ πόλεις καθεῖλες· ἀπώλετο τὸ μνημόσυνον αὐτῶν μετʼ ἤχου,

KJVO thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.

JPS—

ThomsonBut the Lord will endure forever: He hath prepared His throne for judgment;

Brentonbut the Lord endures for ever: he has prepared his throne for judgment.

Greekκαὶ ὁ Κύριος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα μένει· ἡτοίμασεν ἐν κρίσει τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ,

KJVBut the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.

JPSBut the LORD is enthroned for ever; He hath established His throne for judgment.

ThomsonHe will judge the world with righteousness—with rectitude He will judge tribes.

BrentonAnd he will judge the world in righteousness, he will judge the nations in uprightness.

Greekκαὶ αὐτὸς κρινεῖ τὴν οἰκουμένην ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ, κρινεῖ λαοὺς ἐν εὐθύτητι.

KJVAnd he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

JPSAnd He will judge the world in righteousness, He will minister judgment to the peoples with equity.

ThomsonThe Lord was a refuge for the distressed, a seasonable helper in adversity.

BrentonThe Lord also is become a refuge for the poor, a seasonable help, in affliction.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο Κύριος καταφυγὴ τῷ πένητι, βοηθὸς ἐν εὐκαιρίαις, ἐν θλίψει.

KJVThe LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

JPS—

ThomsonLet them who know Thy name confide in thee; For Thou, O Lord, hast not forsaken them who seek Thee.

BrentonAnd let them that know thy name hope in thee: for thou, O Lord, hast not failed them that diligently seek thee.

GreekΚαὶ ἐλπισάτωσαν ἐπὶ σὲ οἱ γινώσκοντες τὸ ὄνομά σου, ὅτι οὐκ ἐγκατέλιπες τοὺς ἐκζητοῦντάς σε Κύριε.

KJVAnd they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

JPSAnd they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee; For thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee.

ThomsonSing to the Lord who dwelleth in Sion; among the nations proclaim His designs,

BrentonSing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Sion: declare his dealings among the nations.

GreekΨάλατε τῷ Κυρίῳ τῷ κατοικοῦντι ἐν Σιὼν, ἀναγγείλατε ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσι τὰ ἐπιτηδεύματα αὐτοῦ.

KJVSing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

JPSSing praises to the LORD, who dwelleth in Zion; Declare among the peoples His doings.

Thomsonfor in making inquisition for blood, He had them in remembrance—He forgot not the prayer of the distressed.

BrentonFor he remembered them, in making inquisition for blood: he has not forgotten the supplication of the poor.

GreekὍτι ἐκζητῶν τὰ αἵματα αὐτῶν ἐμνήσθη, οὐκ ἐπελάθετο τῆς δεήσεως τῶν πενήτων.

KJV—

JPSFor He that avengeth blood hath remembered them; He hath not forgotten the cry of the humble.

ThomsonHave mercy upon me, O Lord! Behold my affliction, because of mine enemies, O Thou who raisest me up from the gates of death,

BrentonHave mercy upon me, O Lord; look upon my affliction which I suffer of mine enemies, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:

GreekἘλέησόν με Κύριε, ἴδε τὴν ταπείνωσίν μου ἐκ τῶν ἐχθρῶν μου, ὁ ὑψῶν με ἐκ τῶν πυλῶν τοῦ θανάτου·

KJVHave mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:

JPSBe gracious unto me, O LORD, Behold mine affliction at the hands of them that hate me; Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death;

Thomsonthat I may proclaim all Thy praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion. Let me exult with joy for Thy salvation.

Brentonthat I may declare all thy praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion: I will exult in thy salvation.

GreekὍπως ἂν ἐξαγγείλω πάσας τὰς αἰνέσεις σου ἐν ταῖς πύλαις τῆς θυγατρὸς Σιών· ἀγαλλιάσομαι ἐπὶ τῷ σωτηρίῳ σου.

KJVThat I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

JPSThat I may tell of all Thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion, That I may rejoice in Thy salvation.

ThomsonThe nations were completely entrapped by the destruction which they contrived; in the gin which they hid, their foot is caught.

BrentonThe heathen are caught in the destruction which they planned: in the very snare which they hid is their foot taken.

GreekἘνεπάγησαν ἔθνη ἐν διαφθορᾷ ᾗ ἐποίησαν· ἐν παγίδι ταύτῃ ᾗ ἔκρυψαν συνελήφθη ὁ ποὺς αὐτῶν.

KJVThe heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

JPSThe nations are sunk down in the pit that they made; In the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

ThomsonThe Lord is known by executing judgments; by the works of his own hands the sinner is taken.

BrentonThe Lord is known as executing judgments: the sinner is taken in the works of his hands. A song of Pause.

GreekΓινώσκεται Κύριος κρίματα ποιῶν, ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις τῶν χειρῶν αὐτοῦ συνελήφθη ὁ ἁμαρτωλός· ᾠδὴ διαψάλματος.

KJVThe LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

JPSThe LORD hath made Himself known, He hath executed judgment, The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah

ThomsonLet the sinners be turned back to the mansion of the dead—all the nations who forget God.

BrentonLet sinners be driven away into Hades, even all the nations that forget God.

GreekἈποστραφήτωσαν οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ εἰς τὸν ᾅδην, πάντα τὰ ἔθνη τὰ ἐπιλανθανόμενα τοῦ Θεοῦ.

KJVThe wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

JPSThe wicked shall return to the nether-world, Even all the nations that forget God.

ThomsonFor the poor shall not be quite forgotten—the expectation of the needy shall never perish.

BrentonFor the poor shall not be forgotten for ever: the patience of the needy ones shall not perish for ever.

GreekὍτι οὐκ εἰς τέλος ἐπιλησθήσεται ὁ πτωχὸς, ἡ ὑπομονὴ τῶν πενήτων οὐκ ἀπολεῖται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

KJVFor the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.

JPSFor the needy shall not alway be forgotten, Nor the expectation of the poor perish for ever.

ThomsonArise, O Lord, let not man prevail—let nations be judged in Thy presence.

BrentonArise, O Lord, let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged before thee.

GreekἈνάστηθι Κύριε, μὴ κραταιούσθω ἄνθρωπος, κριθήτωσαν ἔθνη ἐνώπιόν σου.

KJVArise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.

JPSArise, O LORD, let not man prevail; Let the nations be judged in Thy sight.

ThomsonAppoint, O Lord, a legislator over them—let nations know that they are men.

BrentonAppoint, O Lord, a lawgiver over them: let the heathen know that they are men. Pause.

GreekΚατάστησον, Κύριε, νομοθέτην ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς, γνώτωσαν ἔθνη ὅτι ἀνθρωποί εἰσι· διάψαλμα.

KJVPut them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

JPSSet terror over them, O LORD; Let the nations know they are but men. Selah

ThomsonWHY, O Lord, hast Thou stood at a distance—dost Thou overlook at proper occasions—in adversity?

BrentonWhy standest thou afar off, O Lord? why dost thou overlook us in times of need, in affliction?

GreekἹνατί, Κύριε, ἀφέστηκας μακρόθεν, ὑπερορᾷς ἐν εὐκαιρίαις, ἐν θλίψει;

KJVWhy standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

JPSWhy standest Thou afar off, O LORD? Why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble?

ThomsonWhen the wicked exulteth with pride, the poor is set on fire—they are caught by the counsels which they devise.

BrentonWhile the ungodly one acts proudly, the poor is hotly pursued: the wicked are taken in the crafty counsels which they imagine.

GreekἘν τῷ ὑπερηφανεύεσθαι τὸν ἀσεβῆ, ἐμπυρίζεται ὁ πτωχὸς, συλλαμβάνονται ἐν διαβουλίοις οἷς διαλογίζονται.

KJVThe wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

JPSThrough the pride of the wicked the poor is hotly pursued, They are taken in the devices that they have imagined.

ThomsonBecause the sinner is praised for the desires of his soul;—therefore he who committeth injustice is blessed.

BrentonBecause the sinner praises himself for the desires of his heart; and the unjust one blesses himself.

GreekὍτι ἐπαινεῖται ὁ ἁμαρτωλὸς ἐν ταῖς ἐπιθυμίαις τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁ ἀδικῶν ἐνευλογεῖται.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonThe sinner hath greatly provoked the Lord—according to His great anger will He not make inquisition?

BrentonThe sinner has provoked the Lord: according to the abundance of his pride he will not seek after him: God is not before him.

GreekΠαρώξυνε τὸν Κύριον ὁ ἁμαρτωλὸς, κατὰ τὸ πλῆθος τῆς ὀργῆς αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐκζητήσει· οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ Θεὸς ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ.

KJVThe wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

JPS—

ThomsonGod is not before his eyes—his ways are polluted on every occasion. Thy judgments are removed from his sight—shall he have a mastery over all his enemies?

BrentonHis ways are profane at all times; thy judgments are removed from before him: he will gain the mastery over all his enemies.

GreekΒεβηλοῦνται αἱ ὁδοὶ αὐτοῦ ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ· ἀνταναιρεῖται τὰ κρίματά σου ἀπὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ, πάντων τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτοῦ κατακυριεύσει.

KJVHis ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.

JPSHis ways prosper at all times; Thy judgments are far above out of his sight; As for all his adversaries, he puffeth at them.

ThomsonFor he said in his heart, I shall not be moved and I shall never be in adversity.

BrentonFor he has said in his heart, I shall not be moved, continuing without evil from generation to generation.

GreekΕἶπε γὰρ ἐν καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ, οὐ μὴ σαλευθῶ ἀπὸ γενεᾶς εἰς γενεὰν ἄνευ κακοῦ.

KJVHe hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.

JPS—

ThomsonIs not his mouth full of cursing, and bitterness and deceit?—Under his tongue there is mischief and sorrow.

BrentonWhose mouth is full of cursing, and bitterness, and fraud: under his tongue are trouble and pain.

GreekΟὗ ἀρᾶς τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ γέμει καὶ πικρίας καὶ δόλου, ὑπὸ τὴν γλῶσσαν αὐτοῦ κόπος καὶ πόνος.

KJVHis mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.

JPSHis mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

ThomsonHe sat in secret places with the rich to slay the innocent—his eyes are on the watch for the distressed.

BrentonHe lies in wait with rich men in secret places, in order to slay the innocent: his eyes are set against the poor.

GreekἘγκάθηται ἔνεδρα μετὰ πλουσίων ἐν ἀποκρύφοις, τοῦ ἀποκτεῖναι ἀθῶον· οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν πένητα ἀποβλέπουσιν.

KJVHe sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.

JPSHe sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages; In secret places doth he slay the innocent; His eyes are on the watch for the helpless.

ThomsonHe lurketh in secret like a lion in his den—he lurketh to make a prey of the poor. To make a prey of the poor when he hath drawn him in—in his net he will humble him.

BrentonHe lies in wait in secret as a lion in his den: he lies in wait to ravish the poor, to ravish the poor when he draws him after him: he will bring him down in his snare.

GreekἘνεδρεύει ἐν ἀποκρύφῳ ὡς λέων ἐν τῇ μάνδρᾳ αὐτοῦ· ἐνεδρεύει τοῦ ἁρπάσαι πτωχὸν, ἁρπάσαι πτωχὸν ἐν τῷ ἑλκύσαι αὐτόν· ἐν τῇ παγίδι αὐτοῦ

KJVHe lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

JPSHe lieth in wait in a secret place as a lion in his lair, He lieth in wait to catch the poor; He doth catch the poor, when he draweth him up in his net.

Thomson—

BrentonHe will bow down and fall when he has mastered the poor.

Greekταπεινώσει αὐτὸν, κύψει καὶ πεσεῖται ἐν τῷ αὐτὸν κατακυριεῦσαι τῶν πενήτων.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonFor he said in his heart, God hath forgotten—He hath turned His face from ever seeing.

BrentonFor he has said in his heart, God has forgotten: he has turned away his face so as never to look.

GreekΕἶπε γὰρ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ, ἐπιλέλησται ὁ Θεὸς, ἀπέστρεψε τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ τοῦ μὴ βλέπειν εἰς τέλος.

KJVHe hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.

JPSHe hath said in his heart: 'God hath forgotten; He hideth His face; He will never see.'

ThomsonArise, O Lord God, let Thy hand be lifted up—Forget not the oppressed.

BrentonArise, O Lord God; let thy hand be lifted up: forget not the poor.

GreekἈνάστηθι Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς, ὑψωθήτω ἡ χείρ σου, μὴ ἐπιλάθῃ τῶν πενήτων.

KJVArise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.

JPSArise, O LORD; O God, lift up Thy hand; Forget not the humble.

ThomsonWhy hath the wicked provoked God?—For he said in his heart, He will not make inquisition.

BrentonWherefore has the wicked provoked God? for he has said in his heart, He will not require it.

GreekἝνεκεν τίνος παρώξυνεν ὁ ἀσεβὴς τὸν Θεόν; εἶπε γὰρ ἐν καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ, οὐ ζητήσει.

KJVWherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.

JPSWherefore doth the wicked contemn God, And say in his heart: 'Thou wilt not require'?

ThomsonThou seest (for Thou observest mischief and wrath)—that they have delivered themselves into Thy hands. To Thee the poor hath committed himself—Thou art the helper of the fatherless.

BrentonThou seest it; for thou dost observe trouble and wrath, to deliver them into thy hands: the poor has been left to thee; thou wast a helper to the orphan.

GreekΒλέπεις, ὅτι σὺ πόνον καὶ θυμὸν κατανοεῖς, τοῦ παραδοῦναι αὐτοὺς εἰς χεῖράς σου· σοὶ ἐγκαταλέλειπται ὁ πτωχὸς, ὀρφανῷ σὺ ἦσθα βοηθός.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonBreak the arm of the sinful and malicious man. Let his sin be sought out till no more can be found.

BrentonBreak thou the arm of the sinner and wicked man: his sin shall be sought for, and shall not be found.

GreekΣύντριψον τὸν βραχίονα τοῦ ἁμαρτωλοῦ καὶ πονηροῦ, ζητηθήσεται ἡ ἁμαρτία αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐ μὴ εὑρεθῇ.

KJVBreak thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.

JPSBreak Thou the arm of the wicked; And as for the evil man, search out his wickedness, till none be found.

ThomsonLet the Lord reign for ever and ever! Perish ye nations out of His land!

BrentonThe Lord shall reign for ever, even for ever and ever: ye Gentiles shall perish out of his land.

GreekΒασιλεύσει Κύριος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, καὶ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, ἀπολεῖσθε ἔθνη ἐκ τῆς γῆς αὐτοῦ.

KJVThe LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.

JPSThe LORD is King for ever and ever; The nations are perished out of His land.

ThomsonThe Lord hath hearkened to the desire of the oppressed. Thine ear hath attended to the preparation of their heart;

BrentonThe Lord has heard the desire of the poor: thine ear has inclined to the preparation of their heart;

GreekΤὴν ἐπιθυμίαν τῶν πενήτων εἰσήκουσε Κύριος, τὴν ἑτοιμασίαν τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν προσέσχε τὸ οὖς σου·

KJVLORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

JPSLORD, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble: Thou wilt direct their heart, Thou wilt cause Thine ear to attend;

Thomson—

Brentonto plead for the orphan and afflicted, that man may no more boast upon the earth.

GreekΚρῖναι ὀρφανῷ καὶ ταπεινῷ, ἵνα μὴ προσθῇ ἔτι μεγαλαυχεῖν ἄνθρωπος ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.

KJVTo judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

JPSTo right the fatherless and the oppressed, That man who is of the earth may be terrible no more.