New International VersionThey say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob takes no notice.”
New Living Translation“The LORD isn’t looking,” they say, “and besides, the God of Israel doesn’t care.”
English Standard Versionand they say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive.”
Berean Standard BibleThey say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed.”
King James BibleYet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
New King James VersionYet they say, “The LORD does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob understand.”
New American Standard BibleThey have said, “The LORD does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob perceive.”
NASB 1995They have said, “The LORD does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob pay heed.”
NASB 1977And they have said, “The LORD does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob pay heed.”
Legacy Standard BibleThey have said, “Yah does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob discern.”
Amplified BibleYet they say, “The LORD does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob (Israel) notice it.”
Christian Standard BibleThey say, “The LORD doesn’t see it. The God of Jacob doesn’t pay attention.”
Holman Christian Standard BibleThey say, “The LORD doesn’t see it. The God of Jacob doesn’t pay attention.”
American Standard VersionAnd they say, Jehovah will not see, Neither will the God of Jacob consider.
Contemporary English VersionThen they say, "The LORD God of Jacob doesn't see or know."
English Revised VersionAnd they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob consider.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThey say, "The LORD doesn't see it. The God of Jacob doesn't even pay attention to it."
Good News TranslationThey say, "The LORD does not see us; the God of Israel does not notice."
International Standard VersionThey say, "The LORD cannot see, and the God of Jacob will not notice."
NET BibleThen they say, "The LORD does not see this; the God of Jacob does not take notice of it."
New Heart English BibleThey say, "The LORD will not see, neither will Jacob's God consider."
Webster's Bible TranslationYet they say, The LORD will not see, neither will the God of Jacob regard it. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThey say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed.”
World English BibleThey say, “Yah will not see, neither will Jacob’s God consider.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd they say, “YAH does not see, "" And the God of Jacob does not consider.”
Young's Literal Translation And they say, 'Jehovah doth not see, And the God of Jacob doth not consider.'
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd they will say Jah will not see, and the God of Jacob will not understand. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd they have said: The Lord shall not see: neither shall the God of Jacob understand.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd they have said, “The Lord will not see, nor will the God of Jacob understand.”
New American Bible
They say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob takes no notice.”
New Revised Standard Version
and they say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive.”Translations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible
Yet they say, The LORD does not see, neither does the God of Jacob regard it.
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they said, "LORD JEHOVAH does not see, and the God of Jacob does not understand.”OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917
And they say: 'The LORD will not see, Neither will the God of Jacob give heed.'
Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they said, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob understand.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The LORD Will Not Forget His People… 6They kill the widow and the foreigner; they murder the fatherless. 7They say,“The LORDdoes notsee;the Godof Jacobpays no heed.”8Take notice, O senseless among the people! O fools, when will you be wise?…
Cross References Proverbs 15:3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
Isaiah 29:15Woe to those who dig deep to hide their plans from the LORD. In darkness they do their works and say, “Who sees us, and who will know?”
Ezekiel 8:12“Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? For they are saying, ‘The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.’”
Job 22:13-14Yet you say: ‘What does God know? Does He judge through thick darkness? / Thick clouds veil Him so He does not see us as He traverses the vault of heaven.’
Jeremiah 23:23-24“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away?” / “Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.
Psalm 10:11He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He hides His face and never sees.”
Psalm 73:11The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
Psalm 59:7See what they spew from their mouths—sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?”
Psalm 64:5They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. “Who will see them?” they say.
Psalm 139:1-12For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. / You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. / You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. ...
Hebrews 4:13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Matthew 10:26So do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.
Luke 12:2-3There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. / What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.
Romans 2:16on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.
1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
Treasury of Scripture Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. they say Psalm 10:11-13 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never seeit… Psalm 59:7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swordsare in their lips: for who,say they, doth hear? Job 22:12,13Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are! … Jump to Previous ConsiderHeedJacobJacob'sJahPayPaysPerceiveRegardThoughtYahJump to Next ConsiderHeedJacobJacob'sJahPayPaysPerceiveRegardThoughtYahPsalm 94 1.The prophet, calling for justice, complains of tyranny and impiety.8.He teaches God's providence12.He shows the blessedness of affliction16.God is the defender of the afflicted.They say,This phrase introduces the voice of the wicked or the oppressors, who are often mentioned throughout the Psalms. It reflects a common attitude of those who act unjustly, believing they can escape divine justice. This mindset is seen in other parts of Scripture, such as in Psalm 10:11, where the wicked say, "God has forgotten, He hides His face, He will never see it." “The LORD does not see;
The assertion that "The LORD does not see" reflects a misunderstanding or denial of God's omniscience. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, the belief in an all-seeing, all-knowing God was central. This phrase challenges that belief, suggesting a practical atheism where God is perceived as distant or uninvolved. This is countered by numerous biblical affirmations of God's awareness and involvement, such as inProverbs 15:3, "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good." the God of Jacob pays no heed.”
Referring to God as "the God of Jacob" emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and the people of Israel. Jacob, later named Israel, is a patriarch whose life and descendants are central to the identity of the Israelites. The claim that God "pays no heed" contradicts the historical and covenantal faithfulness of God, as seen in His repeated interventions on behalf of Israel. This phrase also highlights a recurring theme in the Psalms and prophetic literature, where God's people are reminded of His attentiveness and justice, as inIsaiah 40:27-28, where God is described as one who does not grow tired or weary and whose understanding is unsearchable. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness to His people. 2. The God of JacobA title for God that highlights His relationship with the patriarch Jacob, representing His ongoing covenant with Israel. 3. The WickedThough not explicitly named in this verse, the context of Psalm 94 identifies them as those who oppress and act unjustly, believing they can escape God's notice. Teaching Points God's OmniscienceDespite the claims of the wicked, God sees all actions and intentions. Believers can take comfort in knowing that God is aware of every injustice and will act in His perfect timing. The Folly of the WickedThe belief that God does not see or care is a dangerous deception. It leads to moral decay and a false sense of security among those who do evil. Trust in God's JusticeEven when it seems like evil goes unchecked, believers are called to trust in God's ultimate justice. He will hold the wicked accountable. Encouragement for the OppressedFor those suffering under injustice, this verse is a reminder that God is not indifferent. He is a refuge and will vindicate His people. Living with IntegrityKnowing that God sees all should motivate believers to live with integrity, even when no one else is watching. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 94
If Psalm 7:8 claims personal righteousness, does this contradict the broader biblical teaching of universal sinfulness (e.g., Romans 3:10)?
Psalm 94:3-4 depicts the wicked flourishing and boasting; how does this align with other biblical claims that God swiftly judges evil?
Do references to 'all gods' (Psalm 97:7) suggest acknowledgment of multiple deities, contradicting strict monotheism elsewhere in the Bible?
Psalm 20:7 - Does this portrayal of military reliance contradict biblical accounts where God commands battle preparations?(7) The Lord.--In original, "Jah." This carelessness of heaven to injustice and crime, which, in the mouth of the heathen (or, perhaps, of apostate Jews), appeared so monstrous to the Hebrews, was a doctrine of the philosophy of ancient times. It appears in the saying of Seneca: " Stoicus deus nec cor nec caput habet." And in the Homeric hymn to Demeter men are represented as only enduringthe gifts of the gods because they are stronger, and give only grudgingly. (Comp. Lucretius, 1:45.) The feeling has been well caught in Tennyson's Lotus Eaters:"Let us swear an oath, and keep it with an equal mind, In the hollow Lotus-land to live and lie reclined, On the hills like gods together,careless of mankind." Verse 7. - Yet they say, The Lord shall not see (comp. Psalm 10:11, 13). Foreign enemies did not suppose that Jehovah would not see, but trusted that their own gods were stronger than he, and would protect them ( 2 Kings 18:33-35). Neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. "The God of Jacob" would not be a natural expression in the mouth of Israel's foreign foes. They knew nothing of Jacob. But it was an expression frequently used by Israelites ( Genesis 49:24; Psalm 20:1; Psalm 46:7; Psalm 75:9; Psalm 76:6; Psalm 81:1, 4; Isaiah 2:3; Isaiah 41:21; Micah 4:2, etc.).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew They say,וַ֭יֹּ֣אמְרוּ(way·yō·mə·rū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559:To utter, say“The LORDיָּ֑הּ(yāh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3050:LORD -- the name of the God of Israeldoes notלֹ֣א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nosee;יִרְאֶה־(yir·’eh-)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200:To seethe Godאֱלֹהֵ֥י(’ĕ·lō·hê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeof Jacobיַעֲקֹֽב׃(ya·‘ă·qōḇ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290:Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his descpays no heed.”יָ֝בִ֗ין(yā·ḇîn)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 995:To separate mentally, understand
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OT Poetry: Psalm 94:7 They say Yah will not see neither (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
