Bible Strands
Psalms 7:9
Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David addresses the LORD as judge, having just asked to be vindicated according to his righteousness (v. 8). He now petitions for a two-part verdict: the wicked cut off, the righteous set firm.
The words — יִגְמָר (yig.mor, "may it come to an end") and תְכוֹנֵן (te.kho.Nen, "may you establish") are both jussives, framing the verse as a direct request rather than a description. The pair sets termination against stabilization as two halves of one divine act.
The thread — The phrase "who searches hearts and minds" (בֹּחֵן לִבּוֹת) recurs in Jeremiah 11:20 and 20:12, where the prophet invokes the same attribute of God to ground his complaint, and in Jeremiah 17:10 where God claims the prerogative himself.
Why it lands — The verse refuses to let the reader pray for justice without also praying for discernment; God's verdict depends on His ability to see what is hidden, so the petition is only as credible as the God who hears it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 11:20 O LORD of Hosts, who judges righteously, who examines the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have committed my cause.
- Jeremiah 17:10 I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.
- Jeremiah 20:12 O LORD of Hosts, who examines the righteous, who sees the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have committed my cause.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
- Psalms 10:15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call him to account for his wickedness until none is left to be found.
- Psalms 11:5 The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence.
- Psalms 26:2 Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.
- Psalms 37:23 The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey.
- Psalms 44:21 would not God have discovered, since He knows the secrets of the heart?