Psalms 94:11

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 94:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Jehovah knoweth the thoughts of man, That they are vanity.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Jehovah knoweth the thoughts of man, That they are vanity.
Psalms 94:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 94

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Jehovah knoweth the thoughts of man, That they are vanity.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, etc.] He not only hears their words, and sees their actions; but he knows their thoughts, the secret thoughts of their hearts, though he is afar off from them, and, they from him; he is the searcher of the hearts and trier of the reins of the children of men; (see <19D902>Psalm 139:2,23,24 <241709>Jeremiah 17:9,10), and so is Christ, who is the omniscient God, and is the Jehovah all along spoken to and of in this psalm; he knows the thoughts of men, and is a critical discerner of them, (<400903>Matthew 9:3,4 <580412>Hebrews 4:12) that they are vanity; either that their thoughts are vanity; the object of them is vanity, the riches and honours of this…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man - That is, He who teaches people all that they know Psalms 94:10, must understand all that there is in the mind. See the notes at 1 Corinthians 3:20. That they are vanity - That is, that they are foolish, vain, unwise, wicked. The knowledge of the thoughts themselves carries with it also the knowledge that they are vain and foolish - for that is their character, and to know them truly is to know this of them. They do not appear to him as they do to people themselves. They are to his view stripped of all that is flattering and illusive, and are seen to be vain and foolish. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thoughts - Yes, he knoweth all things, even the most secret things, as the thoughts of men; and in particular your thoughts; much more your practices. Psalms 94:12”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“94:11 While the Lord’s thoughts are deep, people’s thoughts are worthless (cp. 92:5; 1 Cor 3:20).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Psa 49:10-13; Job 11:11, Job 11:12; Rom 1:21, Rom 1:22; Co1 1:19, Co1 1:21, Co1 1:25 Psalms 94:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification