Psalm 9:10

Psalm 9:10 connects knowing God with trusting Him, and grounds that trust in the promise that the LORD has never abandoned those who seek Him. Following the picture of God as a refuge for the oppressed, this verse explains why such trust is reasonable: those who truly know God's name discover that He is utterly dependable.

To "know thy name" means far more than knowing a label. A name in Scripture stands for a person's whole character, so to know God's name is to know who He really is -- His faithfulness, His justice, His mercy. And the natural result of knowing God like this is trust. Confidence in God is not blind; it grows from genuine acquaintance with His character. The second half of the verse gives the experiential proof: "thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee." The verb "seek" describes a diligent, intentional search, the effort of one who genuinely wants God. To all who seek Him in this way, the testimony of God's people across the ages is that He does not let them down. He has not forsaken them. The verse thus offers both an invitation and an assurance: come to know God truly, seek Him earnestly, and you will find a foundation of trust that holds, because He has proven faithful to all who have come before.