Psalms 63:9

9 Forsooth they sought in vain my life, they shall enter into the lower things of earth; (And they, who seek to take my life, shall enter into the lower things of the earth, that is, into Sheol;)

Images for Psalms 63:9

Psalms 63:9 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 63:9

But those [that] seek my soul to destroy it
Meaning his life; for as for his soul, that was immaterial and immortal, and could never be destroyed by man: but as for his natural life, his enemies laid snares for that, and sought to take it away, and nothing less would satisfy them;

shall go into the lower parts of the earth;
not the grave, whither the righteous go as well as the wicked; besides, by their being the portion of foxes, as follows, it seems that they should have no burial; but hell is meant, the bottomless pit. Some take it to be a prayer, as Kimchi and Ben Melech; "may they go", or "let them go" see ( Psalms 55:15 ) . The allusion may be thought to be to the death of Korah and his company.

Psalms 63:9 In-Context

7 for thou hast been mine helper. And in the covering of thy wings I shall make full out joy, (for thou hast been my helper. And under the covering of thy wings I shall make great joy,)
8 my soul cleaved after thee; thy right hand took me up. (for my soul cleaveth to thee/for my soul followeth after thee; thy right hand lifteth me up.)
9 Forsooth they sought in vain my life, they shall enter into the lower things of earth; (And they, who seek to take my life, shall enter into the lower things of the earth, that is, into Sheol;)
10 they shall be betaken into the hands of sword, they shall be made the parts of foxes. (they shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be made a portion for foxes.)
11 But the king shall be glad in God; and all men shall be praised that swear in him; for the mouth of them, that speak wicked things, is stopped. (But the king shall rejoice in God; and all those who swear by him shall praise him; for the mouths of them who speak wicked things shall be stopped.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.