Psalms 91:8

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 91:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, And see the reward of the wicked.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, And see the reward of the wicked.
Psalms 91:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 91

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, And see the reward of the wicked.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Only with thine eyes shall thou behold, etc.] 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 of God upon them, and this as a just punishment for their sins; not looking upon it with delight and pleasure, rejoicing in the misery of their fellow creatures, any otherwise than as the glory of divine justice is displayed in it; (see <195206>Psalm 52:6 68:10), the pestilence is always threatened, and it always comes, as a Judgment upon a wicked generation of men; and so it is ever to be considered, and is considered by good men, (<032605>Leviticus 26:5 <052820> Deuteronomy 28:20,21).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Only - 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. With thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked - Your own eyes shall see it. See the notes at Psalms 37:34. You will see the just punishment of the ungodly, the vicious, the profane, the sensual. You will see what is the proper fruit of their conduct; what is the just expression of the views which God takes of their character. This undoubtedly refers to the general principle that there is a moral government on earth; that vice is often punished as such; that the general course of the divine dealings is such as to show that God…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Only: Psa 37:34, Psa 58:10, Psa 58:11, Psa 92:11; Pro 3:25, Pro 3:26; Mal 1:5 reward: Isa 3:11; Heb 2:2 Psalms 91:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification