Psalms 94:8
Psalms 94:8 in Multiple Translations
Take notice, O senseless among the people! O fools, when will you be wise?
Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
Consider, ye brutish among the people; And ye fools, when will ye be wise?
Give your mind to my words, you who are without wisdom among the people; you foolish men, when will you be wise?
Take another look, you stupid people! Fools—when will you ever get the point?
Vnderstande ye vnwise among the people: and ye fooles, when will ye be wise?
Consider, ye brutish among the people, And ye foolish, when do ye act wisely?
Consider, you senseless among the people; you fools, when will you be wise?
Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts:
You evil people who rule Israel, you are foolish and stupid; when will you become wise [RHQ]?
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 94:8
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 94:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בִּ֭ינוּ
בֹּעֲרִ֣ים
בָּ/עָ֑ם
וּ֝/כְסִילִ֗ים
מָתַ֥י
תַּשְׂכִּֽילוּ
בִּ֭ינוּ
bîyn
H995
to understand
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
בֹּעֲרִ֣ים
bâʻar
H1197
to burn
V-Qal
בָּ/עָ֑ם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Prep | N-ms
וּ֝/כְסִילִ֗ים
kᵉçîyl
H3684
fool
Conj | Adj
מָתַ֥י
mâthay
H4970
how
Part
תַּשְׂכִּֽילוּ
sâkal
H7919
be prudent
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 94:8
בִּ֭ינוּ
bîyn
H995
"to understand"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To understand or discern, this verb means to separate mentally and know something with your mind, as seen in Proverbs where it talks about gaining insight.
Definition: 1) to discern, understand, consider 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to perceive, discern 1a2) to understand, know (with the mind) 1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider 1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding 1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to understand 1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach 1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently 1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct 2) (TWOT) prudent, regard
Usage: Occurs in 162 OT verses. KJV: attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man). See also: Genesis 41:33; Psalms 139:2; Psalms 5:2.
בֹּעֲרִ֣ים
bâʻar
H1197
"to burn"
V-Qal
To be brutish means to be stupid or barbarous, and can also refer to consuming something by fire or eating. It is used to describe someone who is dull-hearted or unreceptive.
Definition: : burn/ignite 1) to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to begin to burn, be kindled, start burning 1a2) to burn, be burning 1a3) to burn, consume 1a4) Jehovah's wrath, human wrath (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to kindle, burn 1b2) to consume, remove (of guilt) (fig.) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to kindle 1c2) to burn up 1c3) to consume (destroy) 1d) (Pual) to burn
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. See also: Exodus 3:2; Psalms 39:4; Psalms 2:12.
בָּ/עָ֑ם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Prep | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
וּ֝/כְסִילִ֗ים
kᵉçîyl
H3684
"fool"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word describes a fool or someone who is stupid and silly. It is often used to describe people who reject God's wisdom. The Bible uses this word to warn against foolish behavior.
Definition: fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: fool(-ish). See also: Psalms 49:11; Proverbs 19:13; Psalms 92:7.
מָתַ֥י
mâthay
H4970
"how"
Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'when' or 'how long', often used to ask about time or duration, like in Genesis when asking how long a task will take.
Definition: 1) when? 1a) with prep 1a1) against when?, until when?, how long?, after how long?
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: long, when. See also: Genesis 30:30; Psalms 101:2; Psalms 6:4.
תַּשְׂכִּֽילוּ
sâkal
H7919
"be prudent"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp
To be circumspect means to be careful and thoughtful in your actions. In the Bible, this word is used to describe someone who is intelligent and prudent, like Solomon in 1 Kings 3:12.
Definition: 1) to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper 1a) (Qal) to be prudent, be circumspect 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to look at or upon, have insight 1b2) to give attention to, consider, ponder, be prudent 1b3) to have insight, have comprehension 1b3a) insight, comprehension (subst) 1b4) to cause to consider, give insight, teach 1b4a) the teachers, the wise 1b5) to act circumspectly, act prudently, act wisely 1b6) to prosper, have success 1b7) to cause to prosper Aramaic equivalent: se.khal (שְׂכַל "to contemplate" H7920)
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: consider, expert, instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent(-ly), (give) skill(-ful), have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand(-ing), wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise(-ly), guide wittingly. See also: Genesis 3:6; Proverbs 1:3; Psalms 2:10.
Study Notes — Psalms 94:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 94:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 94:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 94:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 94:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 94:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 94:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 94:8
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 94:8
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 94:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 94:8
- Sermons on Psalms 94:8
Context — The LORD Will Not Forget His People
6They kill the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless.
7They say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed.”
8Take notice, O senseless among the people! O fools, when will you be wise?
9He who affixed the ear, can He not hear? He who formed the eye, can He not see? 10He who admonishes the nations, does He not discipline? He who teaches man, does He lack knowledge?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 92:6 | A senseless man does not know, and a fool does not understand, |
| 2 | Titus 3:3 | For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. |
| 3 | Psalms 49:10 | For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others. |
| 4 | Isaiah 27:11 | When its limbs are dry, they are broken off. Women come and use them for kindling; for this is a people without understanding. Therefore their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor. |
| 5 | Proverbs 12:1 | Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. |
| 6 | Romans 3:11 | There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. |
| 7 | Deuteronomy 32:29 | If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate. |
| 8 | Jeremiah 8:6–8 | I have listened and heard; they do not speak what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, asking, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone has pursued his own course like a horse charging into battle. Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons. The turtledove, the swift, and the thrush keep their time of migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the LORD. How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us,’ when in fact the lying pen of the scribes has produced a deception? |
| 9 | Psalms 73:22 | I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You. |
| 10 | Proverbs 8:5 | O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding. |
Psalms 94:8 Summary
Psalms 94:8 is a call to wake up and be wise, to turn away from foolish and senseless living, and to seek God's wisdom. It's a reminder that God sees and knows everything we do, just like it's written in Hebrews 4:13, and that He desires us to live wisely and obediently. To be wise means to trust and obey God, even when it's hard, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-7, and to seek His guidance in all areas of life, as urged in James 1:5. By seeking God's wisdom and living wisely, we can avoid the pitfalls of senseless and foolish living, and instead live a life that honors and pleases God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be 'senseless among the people' as mentioned in Psalms 94:8?
To be senseless among the people means to lack spiritual understanding and discernment, often leading to foolish decisions and actions, as seen in Psalms 94:6-7 where the wicked are described as killing the widow and the foreigner, and thinking that God does not see their deeds, similar to what is written in Isaiah 1:3 and Jeremiah 5:21.
Why does the verse ask 'when will you be wise'?
The verse asks 'when will you be wise' because it is calling out to those who are foolish and senseless, urging them to turn to God and seek wisdom, as written in Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10, where the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Is this verse only talking to non-believers or can believers also be senseless and foolish?
While the context of Psalms 94:8 suggests that the verse is primarily addressing the wicked and those who do not know God, believers can also act senselessly and foolishly at times, as seen in Galatians 3:1-3, where the apostle Paul rebukes the Galatian believers for acting foolishly by turning back to the law, and in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, where the apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian believers as acting like mere infants in Christ.
What is the significance of the word 'fools' in this verse?
The word 'fools' in Psalms 94:8 signifies a willful ignorance and rebellion against God, as seen in Psalms 14:1, where it is written that the fool says in his heart 'there is no God', and in Romans 1:22, where it is written that although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be acting senselessly or foolishly, and how can I turn to God for wisdom?
- How can I balance the desire to be wise with the danger of becoming prideful and self-reliant, as warned against in Proverbs 3:5-7 and 1 Corinthians 3:18-20?
- In what ways can I seek wisdom from God, as urged in James 1:5, and how can I apply that wisdom to my daily life?
- What are some common lies or deceptions that the senseless and foolish may tell themselves, as seen in Psalms 94:7, and how can I guard myself against such lies?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 94:8
Understand, ye brutish among the people,.... Or the most brutish and stupid of all people; especially that profess themselves to be the people of God, or Christians, as the Papists do; and who seem
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 94:8
Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? Understand, ye brutish among the people.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 94:8
You who, though you think yourselves the wisest of men, yet in truth are the most brutish of all people; for the Hebrews oft express their superlatives in this manner, as , &c. You that have only the shape, but not the understanding, of a man in you.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 94:8
Psalms 94:8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and [ye] fools, when will ye be wise?Ver. 8. Understand, ye brutish] Ye that are ringleaders to the rest, but no wiser than the reasonless creatures; yea, therefore worse, because ye ought to be better. Polybius complaineth of man’ s folly, above that of other creatures, in those words, Caeterae animantes ubi semel offenderint, cavent; non vulpes ad laqueum, lupus ad foveam, cants ad fustem temere redibunt; Solus homo ab aeve ad aevum peccat fere in iisdem.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 94:8
(8-10) The reality of a Divine Providence is proved both from nature and history—from the physical constitution of man and the moral government of the world. The psalmist’s question is as powerful against modern atheism, under whatever philosophy it shelters itself, as against that of his day. Whatever the source of physical life or moral sense, their existence proves the prior existence of an original mind and will.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 94:8
Verse 8. Understand, ye brutish] These are the same expressions as in Psalms 92:6, on which see the note. See Clarke on Psalms 92:6.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 94:8
8–11. From pleading with God the Psalmist turns to argue with those of his fellow-countrymen who are tempted to agree with their oppressors, and to think that Jehovah is wanting either in power or in will to defend them.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 94:8
Understand, ye brutish among the people - See Psalms 73:22. The meaning here is, “You who are like the brutes; you who see and understand no more of the character and plans of God than the wild
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 94:8
8. Understand, ye brutish among the people—The address in Psalms 94:8-10 must be considered as applying to those Hebrews who inferred from the present calamity that God had ceased to take judicial
Sermons on Psalms 94:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Titus - Part 23): Christian Subjection to Government by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of Christians actively engaging in doing good works. He encourages believers to be responsive to the needs of others and to b |
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Regeneration - Part 1 by Charles Leiter | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the topic of regeneration, emphasizing its supernatural and miraculous nature. He highlights the contrast between our previous state of fool |
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The Saved Jew Blesses His Merciful God by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the speaker begins by discussing a conversation he had with someone about believers' baptism. He takes his time to explain every text in the New Testament that supp |
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Hating, Forgiving, Loving One Another by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in relationships. He shares a story of a boy who had a fight with his brother and encourages |
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Salvation Is by Revelation by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for transformation through the grace and love of God. He highlights the sinful nature of humanity, living in envy, jealousy, and va |
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Does Doctrine Matter - Part 7 by Derek Melton | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the Christian experience of being dead in sin and feeling the wrath of God. He criticizes the idea of coming to God for personal gain rather |
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Jesus-Lord of All by Paul Hershberger | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of staying young at heart and setting a standard for life. He believes that what we do in our youth greatly impacts the rest o |