New International VersionTake notice, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?
New Living TranslationThink again, you fools! When will you finally catch on?
English Standard VersionUnderstand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise?
Berean Standard BibleTake notice, O senseless among the people! O fools, when will you be wise?
King James BibleUnderstand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
New King James VersionUnderstand, you senseless among the people; And you fools, when will you be wise?
New American Standard BiblePay attention, you stupid ones among the people; And when will you understand, foolish ones?
NASB 1995Pay heed, you senseless among the people; And when will you understand, stupid ones?
NASB 1977Pay heed, you senseless among the people; And when will you understand, stupid ones?
Legacy Standard BibleDiscern, you senseless among the people; And when will you have insight, you fools?
Amplified BibleConsider thoughtfully, you senseless (stupid ones) among the people; And you [dull-minded] fools, when will you become wise and understand?
Christian Standard BiblePay attention, you stupid people! Fools, when will you be wise?
Holman Christian Standard BiblePay attention, you stupid people! Fools, when will you be wise?
American Standard VersionConsider, ye brutish among the people; And ye fools, when will ye be wise?
Contemporary English VersionCan't you fools see? Won't you ever learn?
English Revised VersionConsider, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
GOD'S WORD® TranslationPay attention, you stupid people! When will you become wise, you fools?
Good News TranslationMy people, how can you be such stupid fools? When will you ever learn?
International Standard VersionPay attention, you dull ones among the crowds! You fools! Will you ever become wise?
NET BibleTake notice of this, you ignorant people! You fools, when will you ever understand?
New Heart English BibleConsider, you senseless among the people; you fools, when will you be wise?
Webster's Bible TranslationUnderstand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleTake notice, O senseless among the people! O fools, when will you be wise?
World English BibleConsider, you senseless among the people; you fools, when will you be wise? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionConsider, you brutish among the people, "" And you foolish, when do you act wisely?
Young's Literal Translation Consider, ye brutish among the people, And ye foolish, when do ye act wisely?
Smith's Literal TranslationUnderstand, ye brutish among the people: and ye foolish, when will ye understand? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleUnderstand, ye senseless among the people: and, you fools, be wise at last.
Catholic Public Domain VersionUnderstand, you senseless ones among the people. And be wise at last, you foolish ones.
New American Bible
Understand, you stupid people! You fools, when will you be wise?
New Revised Standard Version
Understand, O dullest of the people; fools, when will you be wise?Translations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible
Understand, you stupid among the people and you fools, when will you be wise?
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Be wise, fools of the people! Idiots! How long will you not understand?OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917
Consider, ye brutish among the people; And ye fools, when will ye understand?
Brenton Septuagint Translation
Understand now, ye simple among the people; and ye fools, at length be wise.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The LORD Will Not Forget His People… 7They say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed.” 8Take notice,O senselessamong the people!O fools,whenwill you be wise?9He who affixed the ear, can He not hear? He who formed the eye, can He not see?…
Cross References Proverbs 1:22“How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?
Isaiah 44:18They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.
Jeremiah 4:22“For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.”
Romans 1:21-22For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,
Matthew 13:13-15This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’
Isaiah 6:9-10And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
Ezekiel 12:2“Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.
Mark 8:17-18Aware of their conversation, Jesus asked them, “Why are you debating about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Do you have such hard hearts? / ‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember?
1 Corinthians 2:14The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Ephesians 4:18They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.
Hosea 4:6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
2 Timothy 3:7who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Deuteronomy 32:28-29Israel is a nation devoid of counsel, with no understanding among them. / If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate.
John 12:40“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”
Acts 28:26-27‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’
Treasury of Scripture Understand, you brutish among the people: and you fools, when will you be wise? brutish Psalm 49:19
He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. Psalm 73:22
So foolishwas I, and ignorant: I wasas a beast before thee. Psalm 92:6
A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this. fools Deuteronomy 32:29
O that they were wise,that they understood this,that they would consider their latter end! Proverbs 1:22
How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Proverbs 8:5
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Jump to Previous ActBrutishConsiderFoolishFoolsHeedMindOnesPaySenselessStupidUnderstandWisdomWiseWiselyWordsJump to Next ActBrutishConsiderFoolishFoolsHeedMindOnesPaySenselessStupidUnderstandWisdomWiseWiselyWordsPsalm 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.Take notice, O senseless among the people!This phrase serves as a call to attention, urging those who are spiritually and morally unaware to awaken to their condition. The term "senseless" refers to those who lack understanding or discernment, often used in the Old Testament to describe those who ignore God's laws and wisdom. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, wisdom was highly valued, and to be called senseless was a severe admonition. This call to awareness is reminiscent of the prophetic tradition, where prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah often called the people to recognize their spiritual blindness and return to God. The phrase echoes the wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, which frequently contrasts the wise with the foolish. O fools, when will you be wise?
The use of "fools" here is not merely an insult but a theological term denoting those who live as if there is no God, as seen inPsalm 14:1, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" In biblical terms, foolishness is a moral failing rather than an intellectual one. The question "when will you be wise?" implies that wisdom is attainable and that there is hope for transformation. This aligns with the biblical theme of repentance and renewal, where individuals are called to turn from their folly and embrace divine wisdom. The call to wisdom is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, notably in the book of Proverbs, which personifies wisdom as calling out to the simple and the foolish to learn prudence and understanding. This phrase also foreshadows the New Testament teachings of Jesus, who often called people to spiritual awareness and understanding, as seen in His parables and teachings. Persons / Places / Events 1. The PsalmistThe author of Psalm 94, traditionally attributed to David or another inspired writer, who calls out to God for justice against the wicked. 2. The SenselessRefers to those who are spiritually ignorant or morally foolish, failing to recognize God's sovereignty and justice. 3. The FoolsIn biblical terms, fools are those who live as if there is no God, ignoring His laws and wisdom. 4. The PeopleThe broader audience of the Psalm, including both the righteous who seek God's justice and the wicked who oppose it. 5. God's JusticeThe central theme of the Psalm, emphasizing God's role as the ultimate judge who will bring justice to the earth. Teaching Points Recognize Spiritual IgnoranceAcknowledge areas in our lives where we may be spiritually blind or foolish, and seek God's wisdom to correct our paths. Pursue Godly WisdomActively seek wisdom through prayer, scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, understanding that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. Discernment in Daily LifeApply biblical principles to discern right from wrong in everyday decisions, avoiding the folly of ignoring God's commands. Accountability to GodRemember that God is the ultimate judge, and live in a way that reflects His justice and righteousness. Encourage OthersHelp others recognize their need for God's wisdom, offering support and guidance in their spiritual journey. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 94
What does the Bible say about God's wisdom?
What does the Bible teach about managing anger?
Why do moral values differ across cultures if morality comes from God?
What does the Bible say about foolishness?(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 existenceproves the prior existence of an original mind and will. Verses 8-11. - The appeal to Israel. The oppressors thought that their conduct would not be observed by God, or would not be taken into account. The psalmist appeals to them not to be so brutish and foolish (ver. 8), and argues, from the first principles of natural theology, that God must see and hear (ver. 9). If he chastises the heathen, why should he not also punish them (ver. 10)? Verse 8. - Understand, ye brutishamong the people (comp. Psalm 92:6). That there were among God's people some so "brutish" as to suppose that God either did not see or did not regard their misdoings, appears also from Psalm 10:11, 13. And ye fools, when will ye be wise? When will ye put away your folly, and allow Wisdom to enter into your hearts? She is always crying in the streets: when will ye consent to listen (comp. Proverbs 1:20-23)?
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Take notice,בִּ֭ינוּ(bî·nū)Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 995:To separate mentally, understandO senselessבֹּעֲרִ֣ים(bō·‘ă·rîm)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1197:To kindle, consume, to be, brutishamong the people!בָּעָ֑ם(bā·‘ām)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockO fools,וּ֝כְסִילִ֗ים(ū·ḵə·sî·lîm)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3684:Stupid fellow, dullard, foolwhenמָתַ֥י(mā·ṯay)Interrogative
Strong's 4970:Extent, whenwill you be wise?תַּשְׂכִּֽילוּ׃(taś·kî·lū)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7919:To be, circumspect, intelligent
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OT Poetry: Psalm 94:8 Consider you senseless among the people (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
