Psalms 72:9 Meaning and Explanation
“They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Even the most remote and isolated will submit, and all opposition will be utterly defeated.
The Context of Psalms 72:9
The king's authority is universal and unopposed.
What Does Psalms 72:9 Mean?
The wilderness dwellers represent those living at the margins of civilization, suggesting that the king's authority reaches even the unreachable. Their bowing indicates voluntary or inevitable submission to his rule. The image of enemies licking dust is an ancient expression of complete humiliation and defeat.
This verse reinforces that the king's dominion is not contested or partial but total and unquestioned. Those at the edges of the known world and those who actively oppose him alike recognize his supremacy and submit to his authority.
Psalms 72:9 in the Original Language
sachach (סַחַח), 'lick the dust' — a figure for extreme degradation and submission, eating dust in defeat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 72:9
What does Psalms 72:9 mean?
Even the most remote and isolated will submit, and all opposition will be utterly defeated.
What is the context of Psalms 72:9?
The king's authority is universal and unopposed.