Psalms 9:17

17 The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God.

Psalms 9:17 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
17 The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.
New Living Translation (NLT)
17 The wicked will go down to the grave. This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God.
The Message Bible (MSG)
17 The wicked bought a one-way ticket to hell.
American Standard Version (ASV)
17 The wicked shall be turned back unto Sheol, Even all the nations that forget God.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
17 Wicked people, all the nations who forget God, will return to the grave.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
17 The wicked will return to Sheol- all the nations that forget God.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
17 Sinful people go down to the grave. So do all the nations that forget God.

Psalms 9:17 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 9:17

The wicked shall be turned into hell
Some render it, "shall return to the grave" F16, to the earth, the original dust from whence they came; but this is common to all men, to the righteous as well as the wicked; rather (lwav) here signifies the place of torment, commonly called hell, where devils and damned spirits are; hither the souls of the wicked go immediately upon their departure from their bodies, ( Luke 16:23 ) ; and after the judgment is over, they will be remanded thither in soul and body; and their damnation is called the destruction of soul and body in hell; which will consist in an everlasting separation from God, and in a sense of his wrath and fiery indignation: and though this is true of all the wicked, yet here that wicked one, antichrist, and his wicked followers, are chiefly designed; even the beast and false prophet, who shall be cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone, ( Revelation 19:20 ) ( 20:10 ) ;

[and] all the nations that forget God;
which is not to be understood of the Pagan nations, though they may be said to forget God, since he is to be known by the light of nature, and yet they worship idols, the works of their hands; but the Papal nations, who adore the pope of Rome as God on earth, worship angels and saints departed, and images of gold and silver, and wood and stone. It may be applied to every wicked man who forgets there is a God who sees and knows all things, and to whom men are accountable; see ( Psalms 50:22 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F16 (hlwavl wbwvy) "revertentur ad vel in sepulchrum", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Psalms 9:17 In-Context

15 The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.
16 The LORD is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.
17 The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God.
18 But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.
19 Arise, LORD, do not let mortals triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Numbers 16:30; Proverbs 5:5; Psalms 49:14
  • 2. S Job 8:13; Psalms 50:22
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.