Psalms 91:8 — Word Study
WLCרַ֭ק בְּעֵינֶ֣יךָ תַבִּ֑יט וְשִׁלֻּמַ֖ת רְשָׁעִ֣ים תִּרְאֶֽה׃
BSAYou will onlyraq [except, with no other exception] see itnâbaṭ▸ with your eyesʻayin [the ability to perceive, discern] and witnessrâʼâh▸ [behold, observe carefully] the punishmentshillumâh△ [recompense, reward] of the wickedrâshâʻ [morally wrong, guilty of sin]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| רַ֭ק | only | Adverb |
| בְּעֵינֶ֣יךָ | with own eyes your | Preposition, noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
| תַבִּ֑יט | you will look | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect second person masculine singular |
| וְשִׁלֻּמַ֖ת | and [the] retribution of | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct |
| רְשָׁעִ֣ים | wicked [people] | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| תִּרְאֶֽה׃ | you will see | Verb, Qal, imperfect second person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked. |
| KJV | Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. |
| ASV | Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, And see the reward of the wicked. |
| YLT | But with thine eyes thou lookest, And the reward of the wicked thou seest, |
| WEB | You will only look with your eyes, and see the recompense of the wicked. |
| BBE | Only with your eyes will you see the reward of the evil-doers. |
All translations agree on the meaning of רַק as 'only'.
The main clause presents the promise of seeing, while the subordinate clause details what will be witnessed.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָבַט
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 91:8
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Assurance of Divine Protectiongenerated
Psalms 91:8 is part of a passage that speaks of God's protection over those who trust in Him. The psalmist emphasizes that while others may suffer, the faithful will only witness the punishment of the wicked from a distance, reinforcing the theme of divine justice and safety for the righteous. This assurance is echoed in the surrounding verses, which highlight God's role as a refuge and protector.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 37:34 | Wait for the LORD and keep His way, and He will raise you up to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you will see it. |
| 2 | Psalm 58:10–11 | The righteous will rejoice when they see they are avenged; they will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked. |
| 3 | Psalm 92:11 | My eyes see the downfall of my enemies; my ears hear the wailing of my wicked foes. |
| 4 | Proverbs 3:25–26 | Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked, |
| 5 | Malachi 1:5 | You will see this with your own eyes, and you yourselves will say, ‘The LORD is great—even beyond the borders of Israel.’” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — רַק, rakgenerated
The word רַק (rak) is an adverb meaning 'only' or 'except', used to limit or emphasize a statement. It indicates exclusivity, suggesting that the seeing is confined to the observer's own eyes, without exception.
This adverb serves to underscore the certainty of the experience described in the verse, where the observer will not engage in the suffering but will merely witness it from a safe distance.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the rendering of רַק as 'only', maintaining the emphasis on exclusivity.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb תַבִּ֑יט (ta.bit) governs the sentence, with two clauses following: one describing the act of looking and the other detailing what will be seen. The structure emphasizes the act of witnessing as a passive experience for the observer.
The use of the conjunction וְ (ve) connects the two clauses, indicating that both seeing and witnessing are integral parts of the same experience.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates רַק as πλὴν (plēn), which means 'but' or 'except', showing a similar narrowing of focus as the Hebrew. This choice maintains the exclusivity of the observation.
The Greek word ἀνταπόδοσιν (antapodosin) for שִׁלֻּמָה indicates a recompense or return, aligning with the concept of justice and retribution found in the Hebrew.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 91:8 tells us that you will only see with your own eyes the punishment that comes to the wicked. This verse reassures believers of God's protection, stating that they will witness the consequences faced by those who do wrong without being harmed themselves.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that the observer will witness the consequences of wickedness without experiencing harm themselves.
This verse emphasizes that God protects the faithful, allowing them to see the fate of the wicked while remaining safe.
Yes, this verse assures all who trust in God that they will be safe and will see God's justice enacted.
The verse teaches that God is just and that there are consequences for wickedness, which believers will witness.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I trust in God's protection in my own life?
- What does witnessing the punishment of the wicked mean for me personally?
- In what ways have I seen God's justice at work in the world?
- How can I encourage others to trust in God's protection and justice?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, emphasizing the promise of seeing the reward of the ungodly.
"Nevertheless, with your eyes shall you behold, and see the reward of the ungodly" [Psalms 91:8].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 91 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 91:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleOnly with thine eyes shall thou behold,.... The flying arrow, the walking pestilence, and wasting destruction, and the great devastations made by it: and see the reward of the wicked; the vengeance
Read John Gill on Psalms 91 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryOnly with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 91 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThou shalt behold, without any terror or danger to thyself, and with a delightful and thankful reflection upon God’ s goodness to thee. The reward of the wicked; the just recompence of their sins, or the vengeance of God upon them.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 91 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.Ver. 8. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold] And say, Oh the severity of divine justice! Oh the venomous and mischievous nature and effects of men’ s sin! Behold the goodness and severity of God; on them which fell severity, but toward me goodness, if I continue in his goodness; otherwise I shall also be cut off, Romans 11:22. And see the reward of the wicked] Thyself being, as it were, shot free; thy sincerity prevailing for thy safety.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 91 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 8. The reward of the wicked.] Thou shalt not only be safe thyself, but thou shalt see all thy enemies discomfited and cast down.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 91 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges3–8. The providential care of God described in detail. The Psalmist, if the interpretation advocated above is correct, now addresses Israel; or, it may be, any godly Israelite.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 91 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleOnly - That is, This is “all” that will occur to you. The only thing which you have to anticipate is, that you will see how God punishes sinners.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 91 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible8. With thine eyes shalt thou behold—Like the Israelites who saw the overthrow of their enemies, a stated Exodus 14:30-31
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 91 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked.
You will only look with your eyes, and see the recompense of the wicked.
You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked.
Certainly you will see it with your very own eyes – you will see the wicked paid back.
Tyndale line
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, And see the reward of the wicked.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and see the reward of the wicked.
Only with thy eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Doubtlesse with thine eyes shalt thou beholde and see the reward of the wicked.
Strictly literal
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and see the reward of the wicked.
But with thine eyes thou lookest, And the reward of the wicked thou seest,
But with your eyes you look, || And you see the reward of the wicked,
Only with thy eyes shalt thou behold it, and see the recompense of the wicked.
You will only observe and see the punishment of the wicked.
From the Latin
When the wicked shall spring up as grass: and all the workers of iniquity shall appear: That they may perish for ever and ever:
Simplified
You only have to open your eyes and you will see how the wicked are repaid.
Only with your eyes will you see the reward of the evil-doers.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text presents the verse as רַ֭ק בְּעֵינֶ֣יךָ תַבִּ֑יט וְשִׁלֻּמַ֖ת רְשָׁעִ֣ים תִּרְאֶֽה׃, which aligns with the Septuagint's translation, confirming the consistency of the core message across these witnesses. The Dead Sea Scrolls fragment contains three words from the verse, with two supplied by an editor, indicating partial preservation.
רַ֭ק בְּעֵינֶ֣יךָ תַבִּ֑יט וְשִׁלֻּמַ֖ת רְשָׁעִ֣ים תִּרְאֶֽה׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[רק] [בעיני׳ך] תביט
3 words of the verse are on this fragment — 2 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 91:8
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
רַק (raq) is an adjective meaning 'thin' and an adverb indicating limitation, such as 'only' or 'altogether.' It conveys a sense of restriction or exclusivity in various contexts, including affirmations and negations. The entries align on its meanings, with no significant disagreement noted.
רַק
adj. thin
adv. with restrictive force, only, altogether, surely
base
H7535 רַק . adj. thin
. adv. with restrictive force, only, altogether, surely
7535 raq rak
the same as 7534 as a noun; properly, leanness, i.e.
(figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or
conjunctional, although:--but, even, except, howbeit
howsoever, at the least, nevertheless, nothing but,
notwithstanding, only, save, so (that), surely, yet (so), in
any wise.
see HEBREW for 07534
רַק (raq) — except.
1) only, altogether, surely
1a) only
1b) only, nought but, altogether (in limitation)
1c) save, except (after a negative)
1d) only, altogether, surely (with an affirmative)
1e) if only, provided only (prefixed for emphasis)
1f) only, exclusively (for emphasis)
DirObjM — AdverbHD
The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye
lit. as physical organ
eyes as showing mental qualities
desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
Transferred mngs.:
visible surface of earth
appearance
gleam, sparkle
Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
base
עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:
ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1
ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19
ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.
ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)
base
H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ
. . eyes as showing mental qualities
. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth
. appearance
. gleam, sparkle
. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)
5869 `ayin ah'-yin
probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or
figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the
landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +
think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +
displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,
fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,
knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,
presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +
think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.
: eye
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.
: seeing
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.
: appearance
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).
: before(the_eyes)
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.
: sin
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
Prep | N-cd | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHR/Ncfdc/Sp2ms
נָבַט (nabat) is a Hebrew verb meaning to look or regard. It encompasses various nuances, such as looking intently, considering, and showing favor or care. The entries indicate its use in different grammatical forms, specifically the Piel and Hiphil stems, which emphasize the act of looking or regarding. No significant disagreements among lexicons are noted.
[נָבַט] vb. Pi., Hiph. look
Pi. look
Hiph. look
base
H5027 נָבַט look
5027 nabat naw-bat'
a primitive root; to scan, i.e. look intently at; by
implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care:--(cause
to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see.
נָבַט (na.vat) — to look.
1) to look, regard
1a) (Piel) to look
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) tolook
1b2) to regard, show regard to, pay attention to, consider
1b3) to look upon, regard, show regard to
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect second person masculine singularHVhi2ms
look:
(1) The uses of the simple verb in English Versions of the Bible are nearly all good modern English. In Isa 5:2, however, "He looked that it should bring forth grapes"--"look" is used in the sense of "expect." Compare the King James Version of Sirach 20:14; Ac 28:6, "They looked when he should have swollen" (the Revised Version (British and American) "They expected that he would have swollen"). In 1 Macc 4:54, the King James Version has inserted "look" (omitted in the Revised Version (British and American)) as a simple interjection, without a corresponding word in the Greek
(2) "Look upon" means "fix one's attention on," and is often so used in English Versions of the Bible without further significance (Ec 2:11;
שִׁלֻּמָה (shillumah) refers to the concept of retribution or recompense. It is a feminine noun derived from another Hebrew word related to reward. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to requital and retribution, with a specific reference to Psalm 91:8.
[שִׁלֻּמָה] n.f. requital, retribution;—cstr. ψ 91:8.
ref
H8011 [שִׁלֻּמָה] requital, retribution
8011 shillumah shil-loo-maw'
feminine of 7966; retribution:--recompense.
see HEBREW for 07966
שִׁלֻּמָה (shil.lu.mah) — recompense.
reward, requital, retribution
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular constructHC/Ncfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
רָשָׁע (rasha`) refers to someone who is wicked or criminal, encompassing meanings such as guilty and ungodly. It is derived from a root that implies moral wrongdoing. The term is used to describe individuals who are hostile to God or guilty of sin against others.
רָשָׁע 263 adj. wicked, criminal
base
H7563 רָשָׁע wicked, criminal
7563 rasha` raw-shaw'
from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad
person:--+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did
wrong.
see HEBREW for 07561
רָשָׁע (ra.sah) — wicked.
1) wicked, criminal
1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst)
1b) wicked (hostile to God)
1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Adj — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
רָאָה (ra'ah) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to see' and encompasses a wide range of visual and perceptual actions, including looking, observing, and causing others to see. It can refer to both literal sight and figurative understanding, with various grammatical forms indicating different nuances, such as appearing or being visible. The entries indicate a rich semantic field without significant disagreement among lexicographers.
רָאָה 1315 vb. see
Qal 1141
see, subj.
see, c. acc. rei
see, sq. acc. cl. or phr. of closer design
see, so as to learn to know
abs. see, have (power of) vision
see = perceive
look at, see, by direct volition
of mental observation
c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
see, c. acc. rei
Niph.
appear
be seen
be visible
Pu. appar. his bones are not detected
Hithp. recipr. look at each other
Hiph.
cause one to see something, shew
cause to experience something
cause to look intently at, to behold
Hoph.
be caused to see, be shewn
be exhibited to
base
H7200a רָאָה see .. . see, subj.
. see, c. acc. rei
. see, sq. acc. + cl. or phr. of closer design
. see, so as to learn to know
. abs. see, have (power of) vision
. see = perceive
. look at, see, by direct volition
. of mental observation
. . c. ב, lit., look into, hence look at with interest
. see, c. acc. rei
. . appear
. be seen
. be visible
. appar. his bones are not detected
. recipr. look at each other
. . . cause one to see something, shew
. cause to experience something
. cause to look intently at, to behold
. . be caused to see, be shewn
. be exhibited to
H7200b רְאוּת look
7200 ra'ah raw-aw'
a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in
numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive,
intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve,
behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have
experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look
(on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up,
upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide,
regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one
another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X
surely, X think, view, visions.
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: see.
: see/show
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out
1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish
1a6) to look at, gaze at
1a7) to provide, choose
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to appear, present oneself
1b2) to be seen
1b3) to be visible
1c) (Pual) to be seen
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to see, show
1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be caused to see, be shown
1e2) to be exhibited to
1f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face
רָאָה (ra.ah) — to see: examine.
: examine/consider
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to see
1a2) to see, perceive
1a3) to see, have vision
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect second person masculine singularHVqi2ms
se: In addition to the ordinary sense of perceiving by the eye, we have
(1) chazah, "to see" (in vision): "Words of Amos .... which he saw concerning Israel" (Am 1:1). The revelation was made to his inward eye. "The word of Yahweh .... which he (Micah) saw concerning Samaria" (Mic 1:1), describing what he saw in prophetic vision (compare Hab 1:1); see REVELATION, III, 4;