Psalms 9:8

8 And it is he that will judge the world with righteousness; he shall execute judgment upon the peoples with equity.

Psalms 9:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 9:8

And he shall judge the world in righteousness
The word (lbt) , rendered "world", is, as Ben Melech well observes, a general name for all the countries of the habitable world; and so shows that it is the universal judgment that is here spoken of; and which will be carried on and finished with the utmost righteousness, and according to the strictest rules of justice and equity; and is therefore called the righteous judgment of God, ( Romans 2:5 ) ; see ( Psalms 96:13 ) ( 98:9 ) ( Acts 17:31 ) ;

he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness;
which signifies the same with the former clause, unless by the "world" there, should be meant the wicked of the world; and by the "people" here, the people of God; to whom the righteous Judge will give the crown of righteousness.

Psalms 9:8 In-Context

6 O enemy! destructions are ended for ever. -- Thou hast also destroyed cities, even the remembrance of them hath perished.
7 But Jehovah sitteth for ever; he hath ordained his throne for judgment.
8 And it is he that will judge the world with righteousness; he shall execute judgment upon the peoples with equity.
9 And Jehovah will be a refuge to the oppressed one, a refuge in times of distress.
10 And they that know thy name will confide in thee; for thou, Jehovah, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Tebel, the habitable earth: see 1Sam. 2.8; Ps 19.4; 24.1; 33.8; 98.7,9, &c.; Prov. 8.31.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.