Psalms 9:17 Meaning and Explanation
“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The wicked and all who forget God will be consigned to hell.
The Context of Psalms 9:17
The fate of the wicked and godless—separation from God and His blessing.
What Does Psalms 9:17 Mean?
'Turned into hell' (sheol) means departing from life and entering the realm of the dead, separated from God's presence and blessing. This is the ultimate consequence of wickedness—not merely physical death but spiritual separation. The fate is certain and inevitable.
'All the nations that forget God' includes not just individuals but whole peoples who reject or ignore God. To forget God is to live as though He does not exist or matter, to disregard His law and His person. Such forgetfulness carries eternal consequences.
Psalms 9:17 in the Original Language
hell (שְׁאוֹל, sheol) — the grave, the abode of the dead; in biblical thought, the place where all go at death, but associated with darkness and separation from God's blessing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 9:17
What does Psalms 9:17 mean?
The wicked and all who forget God will be consigned to hell.
What is the context of Psalms 9:17?
The fate of the wicked and godless—separation from God and His blessing.