Psalms 95:9
Psalms 95:9 in Multiple Translations
where your fathers tested and tried Me, though they had seen My work.
When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
When your fathers tempted me, Proved me, and saw my work.
When your fathers put me to the test and saw my power and my work.
when your forefathers provoked me, testing my patience, even though they had seen everything I'd done.
Where your fathers tempted me, proued me, though they had seene my worke.
Where your fathers have tried Me, Have proved Me, yea, have seen My work.
when your fathers tempted me, tested me, and saw my work.
When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
Adore ye the Lord in his holy court. Let all the earth be moved at his presence.
There your ancestors ◄wanted to see/tried to determine► if they could do many very evil things without my punishing them. Even though they had seen me perform many miracles, they tested whether I would continue to be patient with them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 95:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 95:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
נִ֭סּוּ/נִי
אֲבוֹתֵי/כֶ֑ם
בְּ֝חָנ֗וּ/נִי
גַּם
רָא֥וּ
פָעֳלִֽ/י
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
נִ֭סּוּ/נִי
nâçâh
H5254
to test
V-Piel-Perf-3cp | Suff
אֲבוֹתֵי/כֶ֑ם
ʼâb
H1
father
N-mp | Suff
בְּ֝חָנ֗וּ/נִי
bâchan
H974
to test
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff
גַּם
gam
H1571
also
DirObjM
רָא֥וּ
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
פָעֳלִֽ/י
pôʻal
H6467
work
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 95:9
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
נִ֭סּוּ/נִי
nâçâh
H5254
"to test"
V-Piel-Perf-3cp | Suff
This Hebrew word means to test or try something, often to prove its worth or character. It is used in stories like Job, where God allows Satan to test Job's faith. The idea of testing is also seen in the wilderness, where the Israelites were tested by God.
Definition: : test 1) to test, try, prove, tempt, assay, put to the proof or test 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to test, try 1a2) to attempt, assay, try 1a3) to test, try, prove, tempt
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: adventure, assay, prove, tempt, try. See also: Genesis 22:1; Judges 6:39; Psalms 26:2.
אֲבוֹתֵי/כֶ֑ם
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-mp | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
בְּ֝חָנ֗וּ/נִי
bâchan
H974
"to test"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff
To test or examine something, like gold or a person's heart, is what this word means. It appears in stories like Job's trials, where his faith is tested by God, and in Proverbs 17:3, which talks about refining silver.
Definition: 1) to examine, try, prove 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to examine, scrutinise 1a2) to test, prove, try (of gold, persons, the heart, man of God) 1b) (Niphal) to be tried, proved 1c) (Pual) to make a trial
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: examine, prove, tempt, try (trial). See also: Genesis 42:15; Psalms 81:8; Psalms 7:10.
גַּם
gam
H1571
"also"
DirObjM
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
רָא֥וּ
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
פָעֳלִֽ/י
pôʻal
H6467
"work"
N-ms | Suff
A work or deed is what this word refers to, describing something that has been done or made. It can also mean wages or the result of an action.
Definition: 1) work, deed, doing 1a) deed, thing done 1b) work, thing made 1c) wages of work 1d) acquisition (of treasure)
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: act, deed, do, getting, maker, work. See also: Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalms 104:23; Psalms 9:17.
Study Notes — Psalms 95:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 95:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 95:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 95:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 95:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 95:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 95:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 95:9
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 95:9
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 95:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 95:9
- Sermons on Psalms 95:9
Context — Do Not Harden Your Hearts
7For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice,
8do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, in the day at Massah in the wilderness,
9where your fathers tested and tried Me, though they had seen My work.
10For forty years I was angry with that generation, and I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known My ways.” 11So I swore on oath in My anger, “They shall never enter My rest.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 14:22 | not one of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness—yet have tested Me and disobeyed Me these ten times— |
| 2 | 1 Corinthians 10:9 | We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. |
| 3 | Psalms 78:56 | But they tested and disobeyed God Most High, for they did not keep His decrees. |
| 4 | Psalms 78:40–41 | How often they disobeyed Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert! Again and again they tested God and provoked the Holy One of Israel. |
| 5 | Psalms 78:17–18 | But they continued to sin against Him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High. They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved. |
| 6 | Matthew 11:20–22 | Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. |
| 7 | John 15:24 | If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father. |
Psalms 95:9 Summary
This verse is talking about how the Israelites' ancestors didn't trust God, even after seeing all the amazing things He had done for them. They tested and tried God, which means they doubted His power and presence in their lives. We can learn from their mistake by choosing to trust and obey God, even when things are hard or unclear, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6. By doing so, we can avoid hardening our hearts and instead experience God's rest and peace, as promised in Hebrews 4:9-11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to test and try God?
To test and try God means to doubt His power and presence in our lives, despite seeing His work and miracles, as seen in Psalms 95:9 and Exodus 17:7. This can lead to a hardened heart, as warned in Hebrews 3:8.
How did the fathers in the wilderness test and try God?
The fathers in the wilderness tested and tried God by rebelling against Him and doubting His provision, despite seeing His miracles and works, as recorded in Numbers 14:22 and Psalms 78:40. This is a warning to us not to repeat their mistakes.
What is the significance of the phrase 'though they had seen My work'?
The phrase 'though they had seen My work' emphasizes that the fathers had witnessed God's power and miracles, such as the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14:13-31, yet still chose to test and try Him. This shows the depth of their unbelief and rebellion.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives?
We can apply this verse by recognizing the ways in which we may be testing and trying God, such as through disobedience or doubt, and instead choosing to trust and obey Him, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 17:7-8.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways am I testing and trying God in my own life, and how can I turn from this pattern of behavior?
- How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's power and presence, even when I don't see immediate results or answers to my prayers?
- What are some ways in which I have seen God's work in my life, and how can I use these experiences to strengthen my faith and obedience?
- What would it look like for me to truly hear and respond to God's voice, as encouraged in Psalms 95:7-8?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 95:9
When your fathers tempted me,.... Or, "where" (i); that is, in the wilderness, particularly at Meribah and Massah; it was Christ they tempted, as appears from 1 Corinthians 10:9 proved me: had proof
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 95:9
For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 95:9
When; or, in which place; which may belong either to Meribah and Massah, or to the wilderness last mentioned. Or, surely, as this word is oft used in Scripture, as hath been observed once and again. And saw; or, although or after that they saw or had seen; which is added as a just and great aggravation of their unbelief, after such a sensible and evident experience of God’ s power and goodness to them. My works; both my works of mercy, which gave them abundant cause to trust me; and my works of justice, for which they had reason to fear and please me. Heb. my work, to wit, that great and stupendous work of bringing my people out of Egypt with a strong hand, and of conducting them safely through the Red Sea into the wilderness, and of destroying the Egyptians. For not many more of God’ s great works were done before they came to Meribah.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 95:9
Psalms 95:9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.Ver. 9. When your fathers tempted me] Ten times, all along the wilderness, Numbers 14:22, though They saw my work] Both mercies and judgments, Psalms 98:8, yet they were refractory and unmalleable.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 95:9
(9) Proved me.—Properly, of trying metals. This term is used of man’s attitude towards Providence, both in a good and bad sense (Malachi 3:10; Malachi 3:15). And saw my work.—Better (as in Isaiah 49:15), Yea, they saw my works, watched, that is, God’s dealings with ever the same readiness to murmur and repine, and try the Divine patience.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 95:9
Verse 9. When your fathers tempted me] Tried me, by their insolence, unbelief, and blasphemy. They proved me - they had full proof of my power to save and to destroy. There they saw my works - they saw that nothing was too hard for God.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 95:9
9. The Israelites tempted and tried God by faithless doubts of His goodness and arbitrary demands that He should prove His power (Exodus 17:2; Exodus 17:7; Psalms 78:18; Psalms 78:41; Psalms 78:56). and saw my work] While they on their part tempted God, He on His part was ever working out His providential plan, by mercy and by chastisement. But it suits the context better to render, Though they had seen my work. (For the construction cp. Nehemiah 6:1.) Though they had just had proof of God’s power and goodwill in the Exodus, it had not taught them to trust Him. Cp. Numbers 14:22.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 95:9
When your fathers - Your ancestors. See this verse explained in the notes on Hebrews 3:9. Tempted me - Tried me; tried my patience, to see how much I would bear.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 95:9
9. When your fathers tempted me—Where “your fathers tempted.” The pronoun here refers to place— “the wilderness.” Tempted—Required proof by visible tests. See on Psalms 78:18.
Sermons on Psalms 95:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Things Unshakable 3 . an Unshakable Church by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of having an unshakable church, distinct from an unshakable life or home. It highlights the need for Christians to move beyond personal growth |
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K-448 Israel's Future Expulsion by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the insignificance of our worldly accomplishments and knowledge in the eyes of God. He describes a terrifying wilderness where one is strippe |
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The Test of Faith by Randy Jones | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the story of the Israelites in the desert after their escape from Egypt. He emphasizes how God allowed them to experience thirst and lack of |
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The Folly of Looking Back in Fleeing Out of Sodom by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the folly of looking back when fleeing out of Sodom, drawing parallels between the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world to the judgment |
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Numbers 14:22 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the dangers of unbelief as a thief that robs the Israelites of their promised land. He contrasts the reports of faith and unbelief, illustrating how faith se |
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The Bible: Its Pentateuchal Structure by F.W. Grant | F.W. Grant delves into the Pentateuchal structure of the Bible, highlighting the significance of the five books of the Law as the structural basis of the entire Bible, with the Old |
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Sinners in Zion Tenderly Warned by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches a powerful sermon warning sinners in Zion about the fearful consequences that will surprise them in the future, emphasizing the terror of being cast into |