Psalm 94:11
New International Version
The LORD knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.

New Living Translation
The LORD knows people’s thoughts; he knows they are worthless!

English Standard Version
the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.

Berean Standard Bible
The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.

King James Bible
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

New King James Version
The LORD knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile.

New American Standard Bible
The LORD knows human thoughts, That they are mere breath.

NASB 1995
The LORD knows the thoughts of man, That they are a mere breath.

NASB 1977
The LORD knows the thoughts of man, That they are a mere breath.

Legacy Standard Bible
Yahweh knows the thoughts of man, That they are vanity.

Amplified Bible
The LORD knows the thoughts of man, That they are a mere breath (vain, empty, futile).

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD knows the thoughts of mankind; they are futile.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD knows man’s thoughts; they are meaningless.

American Standard Version
Jehovah knoweth the thoughts of man, That they are vanity.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD knows how useless our plans really are.

English Revised Version
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD knows that people's thoughts are pointless.

Good News Translation
The LORD knows what we think; he knows how senseless our reasoning is.

International Standard Version
The LORD knows the thoughts of human beings— that they are futile.

Majority Standard Bible
The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.

NET Bible
The LORD knows that peoples' thoughts are morally bankrupt.

New Heart English Bible
The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.

Webster's Bible Translation
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

World English Bible
Yahweh knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
He knows the thoughts of man, that they [are] vanity.

Young's Literal Translation
He knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

Smith's Literal Translation
Jehovah knew the thoughts of man that they are vanity.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The Lord knoweth the thoughts of men, that they are vain.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The Lord knows the thoughts of men: that these are in vain.

New American Bible
The LORD knows the plans of man; they are like a fleeting breath.

New Revised Standard Version
The LORD knows our thoughts, that they are but an empty breath.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The LORD knows the thoughts of man; they are like a breath.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
LORD JEHOVAH knows the reasonings of the children of men, because they are a vapor.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, That they are vanity.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The Lord knows the thoughts of men, that they are vain.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD Will Not Forget His People
10He who admonishes the nations, does He not discipline? He who teaches man, does He lack knowledge? 11The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile. 12Blessed is the man You discipline, O LORD, and teach from Your law,…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 3:20
And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”

Romans 1:21
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.

Job 5:12-13
He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success. / He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning.

Isaiah 29:14
Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”

Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

Jeremiah 8:9
The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have?

1 Corinthians 1:19-20
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Isaiah 44:25
who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,

Job 11:11-12
Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note? / But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!

Ecclesiastes 7:29
Only this have I found: I have discovered that God made mankind upright, but they have sought out many schemes.”

Romans 11:33
O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Job 12:24
He deprives the earth’s leaders of reason and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.

1 Corinthians 2:6-7
Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. / No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.

Proverbs 19:21
Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.


Treasury of Scripture

The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

Psalm 49:10-13
For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others…

Job 11:11,12
For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? …

Romans 1:21,22
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened…

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Psalm 94
1. The prophet, calling for justice, complains of tyranny and impiety.
8. He teaches God's providence
12. He shows the blessedness of affliction
16. God is the defender of the afflicted.














The LORD knows
The phrase "The LORD knows" emphasizes the omniscience of God. In Hebrew, the word for "knows" is "יָדַע" (yada), which conveys an intimate, comprehensive understanding. This is not mere awareness but a profound, personal knowledge. The LORD, Yahweh, is depicted as the covenant-keeping God who is deeply involved with His creation. This knowledge is comforting to believers, as it assures them that God is aware of their struggles and needs. Historically, this understanding of God's omniscience has been a source of solace and strength for the faithful, knowing that nothing escapes His notice.

the thoughts of man
The "thoughts of man" refers to human reasoning and intentions. In Hebrew, "מַחֲשָׁבוֹת" (machashavot) is used, which can mean plans, purposes, or devices. This highlights the contrast between divine wisdom and human understanding. Throughout scripture, human thoughts are often depicted as limited and flawed, especially when they are not aligned with God's will. The historical context of this psalm suggests a time of injustice and arrogance among the people, where human thoughts were often contrary to God's righteous standards.

are futile
The word "futile" translates from the Hebrew "הֶבֶל" (hebel), which can mean vanity, emptiness, or worthlessness. This term is famously used throughout the book of Ecclesiastes to describe the fleeting and meaningless nature of life without God. In the context of Psalm 94:11, it underscores the inadequacy and transience of human wisdom when compared to the eternal and perfect wisdom of God. This serves as a humbling reminder to believers that reliance on human intellect alone is insufficient and that true wisdom comes from aligning one's thoughts with God's eternal truth.

(11) That they are vanity--The literal rendering, "for they are breath," referring not to thoughts, but to man collectively, gives equally good sense, and would, notwithstanding the order of the words, be natural, since the masculine pronoun is used. But the LXX. stands as the Authorised Version, and is so quoted by St. Paul (1Corinthians 3:20), with the substitution of wise men for men.

Verse 11. - The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man. Not only does the Almighty see and know all the actions of men (ver. 9), but he is even acquainted with their thoughts (comp. Psalm 7:9; Psalm 26:2; Psalm 139:17; Isaiah 66:18; 1 Corinthians 3:20). That they are vanity (comp. Ecclesiastes 2:14, 15).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The LORD
יְֽהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

knows
יֹ֭דֵעַ (yō·ḏê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

the thoughts
מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת (maḥ·šə·ḇō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4284: A contrivance, a texture, machine, intention, plan

of man,
אָדָ֑ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

that
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they
הֵ֥מָּה (hêm·māh)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

are futile.
הָֽבֶל׃ (hā·ḇel)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1892: Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory


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OT Poetry: Psalm 94:11 Yahweh knows the thoughts of man that (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 94:10
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