Bible Strands
Psalms 72:9
May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist prays for the Davidic king's universal reign, looking forward to a time when distant desert-dwellers submit and hostile rulers are humbled. The prayer follows a declaration of rule from sea to sea and precedes a petition for distant kings to bring tribute.
The words — The Hebrew verb יִכְרְעוּ (yikh.re.'u) means "they will bow down," while עָפָר ('a.far) translates literally to "dust." The phrase יְלַחֵכוּ עָפָר (ye.la.che.khu 'a.far) renders directly as "they will lick up dust."
The thread — This posture of defeated foes appears in Isaiah 49:23 and Micah 7:17, where they bow and lick the dust. Luke 19:27 also references the king's enemies, but describes them being brought forward and slain rather than performing this act.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that divine kingship ultimately reduces all opposition to absolute submission. It demands acceptance that God's reign leaves no room for enduring rebellion or independent power.
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
They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 49:23 Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.”
- Micah 7:17 They will lick the dust like a snake, like reptiles slithering on the ground. They will come trembling from their strongholds in the presence of the LORD our God; they will tremble in fear of You.
- Luke 19:27 And these enemies of mine who were unwilling for me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.’”
- 1 Kings 9:18 Baalath, and Tamar in the Wilderness of Judah,
- 1 Kings 9:20 As for all the people who remained of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (the people who were not Israelites)—
- Psalms 2:9 You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.”
- Psalms 21:8 Your hand will apprehend all Your enemies; Your right hand will seize those who hate You.
- Psalms 22:29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before Him—even those unable to preserve their lives.
- Psalms 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
- Psalms 110:6 He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead; He will crush the leaders far and wide.