Psalms 94:11
Psalms 94:11 in Multiple Translations
The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
Jehovah knoweth the thoughts of man, That they are vanity.
The Lord has knowledge of the thoughts of man, for they are only a breath.
The Lord knows the thoughts of human beings—he knows they are pointless.
The Lord knoweth the thoughtes of man, that they are vanitie.
He knoweth the thoughts of man, that they [are] vanity.
The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
And these men have not known my ways: so I swore in my wrath that they shall not enter into my rest.
Yahweh knows everything that people are thinking; he knows that what they think ◄is useless/vanishes as quickly as► smoke [MET].
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 94:11
BAB
Word Study
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Psalms 94:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יְֽהוָ֗ה
יֹ֭דֵעַ
מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת
אָדָ֑ם
כִּי
הֵ֥מָּה
הָֽבֶל
יְֽהוָ֗ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
יֹ֭דֵעַ
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal
מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת
machăshâbâh
H4284
plot
N-fp
אָדָ֑ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
N-ms
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
הֵ֥מָּה
hêm
H1992
they(masc.)
Pron
הָֽבֶל
hebel
H1892
vanity
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 94:11
יְֽהוָ֗ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
יֹ֭דֵעַ
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת
machăshâbâh
H4284
"plot"
N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a plan, device, or invention, which can be either good or bad. It appears in places like 2 Chronicles 2:11 and Esther 8:3, where it is used to describe clever ideas or schemes. The word is associated with creativity and problem-solving.
Definition: 1) thought, device 1a) thought 1b) device, plan, purpose 1c) invention
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: cunning (work), curious work, device(-sed), imagination, invented, means, purpose, thought. See also: Genesis 6:5; Proverbs 19:21; Psalms 33:10.
אָדָ֑ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
הֵ֥מָּה
hêm
H1992
"they(masc.)"
Pron
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: they, these, the same, who
Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.
הָֽבֶל
hebel
H1892
"vanity"
N-ms
Hebel means emptiness or vanity, describing something transitory and unsatisfactory, like a breath of air. It appears in the book of Ecclesiastes, where Solomon writes about life's fleeting nature. The KJV translates it as vanity or altogether.
Definition: 1) vapour, breath 1a) breath, vapour 1b) vanity (fig.) adv 2) vainly
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] altogether, vain, vanity. See also: Deuteronomy 32:21; Ecclesiastes 4:7; Psalms 31:7.
Study Notes — Psalms 94:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 94:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 94:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 94:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 94:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 94:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 94:11
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 94:11
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 94:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 94:11
- Sermons on Psalms 94:11
Context — The LORD Will Not Forget His People
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?
11The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.
12Blessed is the man You discipline, O LORD, and teach from Your law, 13to grant him relief from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Corinthians 3:20 | And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” |
| 2 | 1 Corinthians 1:19 | For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” |
| 3 | 1 Corinthians 1:21 | For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. |
| 4 | 1 Corinthians 1:25 | For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. |
| 5 | Job 11:11–12 | Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note? But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man! |
| 6 | Romans 1:21–22 | For 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, |
| 7 | Psalms 49:10–13 | For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their eternal homes— their dwellings for endless generations— even though their lands were their namesakes. But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of the self-confident and their followers who endorse their sayings. Selah |
Psalms 94:11 Summary
[This verse reminds us that God knows everything we think, and that our thoughts are often limited and flawed. As it says in Psalms 94:11, 'The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.' This means we should try to think about what God wants us to think about, and not just what we want. We can do this by reading the Bible and praying, as encouraged in Philippians 4:8 which says to think about 'whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable.']
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the LORD knows the thoughts of man?
This means that God is all-knowing and aware of every thought that passes through our minds, as also seen in Jeremiah 17:10 where it says, 'I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind.'
Why are the thoughts of man considered futile?
The thoughts of man are considered futile because they are limited, flawed, and often self-centered, as opposed to God's perfect and eternal thoughts, as mentioned in Isaiah 55:9 which says, 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.'
How does this verse relate to our everyday lives?
This verse reminds us that God is intimately aware of our thoughts and intentions, and we should therefore strive to align our thoughts with His will, as encouraged in Romans 12:2 to 'be transformed by the renewing of your mind.'
Is this verse saying that all human thoughts are useless?
No, this verse is not saying that all human thoughts are useless, but rather that our thoughts are fleeting and often misguided without God's guidance, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6 which advises us to 'trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.'
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to surrender my thoughts to God's will?
- How can I cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence in my thoughts and actions?
- In what ways do I try to rely on my own understanding, rather than trusting in the Lord?
- What would it look like for me to 'renew my mind' and align my thoughts with God's Word?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 94:11
The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man,.... He not only hears their words, and sees their actions; but he knows their thoughts, the secret thoughts of their hearts, though he is afar off from them,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 94:11
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 94:11
This is an answer to the foregoing question, shall not he know? Yes, he knoweth all things, yea, even the most secret things, as the thoughts of men; and in particular your atheistical thoughts, and much more doth he know your wicked practices, which you said he did not see, ,7. And he knows that they are generally vain and foolish, and that whilst you mock God and applaud yourselves in such thoughts, you do not relieve, but only delude yourselves with them.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 94:11
Psalms 94:11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they [are] vanity.Ver. 11. The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity] Or worse; that they are ever weaving spiders’ webs, or else hatching cockatrices’ eggs, Isaiah 59:5. This sentence St Paul allegeth against the world’ s wizards, 1 Corinthians 3:20, who, the wiser they were the vainer they were, Romans 1:21. As Austin, writing to a man of great parts, saith, Ornari abs te Diabolus quaerit, The devil would fain be tricked up by thee.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 94:11
(11) That they are vanity—The literal rendering, “for they are breath,” referring not to thoughts, but to man collectively, gives equally good sense, and would, notwithstanding the order of the words, be natural, since the masculine pronoun is used. But the LXX. stands as the Authorised Version, and is so quoted by St. Paul (1 Corinthians 3:20), with the substitution of wise men for men.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 94:11
11. The positive answer to the self-delusion of the wicked and the doubts of the faithless. Jehovah not only sees their works, but knows their very thoughts. that they are vanity] So the LXX, quoted by St Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:20, with the substitution of the wise for men to suit his argument. This rendering gives a good sense, and suggests an emphatic contrast between the designs of men and the designs of God (Psalms 92:5). But the masculine pronoun they is more naturally referred to man than to the feminine word for thoughts, and its emphatic position further points to the rendering, For they, in contrast to Jehovah, are (but) a breath (Psalms 39:5). How can man, the feeble creature of a day, escape the knowledge of the Omniscient and Eternal, or entertain designs which He cannot fathom?
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 94:11
The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man - That is, He who teaches people all that they know Psalms 94:10, must understand all that there is in the mind. See the notes at 1 Corinthians 3:20.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 94:11
11. The Lord knoweth—A direct affirmation of what had been put interrogatively in Psalms 94:9-10.
Sermons on Psalms 94:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Let a Man Consider by St. Benedict of Nursia | St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of recognizing that God sees and knows everything we do, with our actions constantly visible to Him and reported by angels. The Pro |
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Battling the Unbelief of Envy by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the topic of envy and how it can hinder our joy and concern for others. He shares a story from the Bible about the lad with the five loaves an |
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Getting Back to Basics: Survival of the Revival by Robert Wurtz II | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of revival and how many people experience temporary awakenings but eventually fall back into their old spiritual condition. He emp |
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Spiritual Times and Seasons by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches on the vanity of all creature enjoyments and the importance of experiencing the killing and healing work of grace in the soul. Through the examples of King So |
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The Course of This Age by Lewis Sperry Chafer | Lewis Sperry Chafer emphasizes the importance of rightly dividing the word of truth, warning against a critical attitude that may lead to unbelief and reliance on worldly wisdom. U |
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So You Want a "Sign" From God? by Ray Comfort | Ray Comfort preaches about a man named Tony who grapples with the truth of the Bible and the need for a Savior as he faces a life-threatening situation. Through Tony's journey of d |
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America's Last Call (Compilation) by Compilations | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of hard preaching and repentance. He compares the current generation to the religious vipers and proud Pharisees of John the |