Psalm 146:9
ESV
The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
NIV
The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
NASB
The Lord watches over strangers; He supports the fatherless and the widow, But He thwarts the way of the wicked.
CSB
The Lord protects resident aliens and helps the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
NLT
The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.
KJV
The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
NKJV
The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.
What does Psalm 146:9 mean?
Please see our chapter commentary on Psalm 146; verse-level content coming soon!Psalm 146:5–10 lists the many wonderful attributes of God. Jacob was the patriarch of the nation which carried his God-given new name of Israel (Genesis 32:28). This is the God who created the universe and acts with justice and mercy. This God, named YHWH or Yahweh (Exodus 3:15), provides salvation, freedom, and care as well as judgment. This makes Him the only One worthy of praise.
In Hebrew, the phrase halelu-yāh is an expression of praise and worship to God. That term both begins and ends this psalm. In between, the psalmist notes that only God is truly reliable. Limited men are not a source of salvation. The Lord, however, created all things and acts with power towards those who are in need. Only God will rule eternally, making Him the only One truly worthy of praise.