He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge—
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't just say God can hear and see; it uses the very actions of creation – planting an ear and forming an eye – to show that His hearing and sight are inherent to His being, not just abilities He possesses. It points to the profound idea that if He made the capacity for these senses, He must possess them in a perfect, essential way.
He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge—
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Psalmist is addressing wicked people who are taunting God, acting as if He doesn't see or care about their injustice and violence. He refutes their foolishness by pointing to the incredible design of human senses, arguing that the Creator of our hearing and sight must Himself possess these perfect abilities. This is part of a larger plea to God for vengeance against oppressors who abuse their power and mock divine justice.
Ever feel like your struggles are invisible, or your quiet prayers unheard? The wicked in this psalm felt the same, but the Psalmist had a different perspective.
This verse challenges the notion that God is unaware of our lives and His creation. The wicked, in their arrogance, declared, "The LORD shall not see; the God of Jacob shall not regard it." They acted as if God was blind and deaf to their injustice and cruelty.
A Mockery of Creation
But the Psalmist retorts with powerful, simple logic:
This isn't just about physical sight and hearing. It’s a declaration that God has perfect knowledge and awareness of everything that happens, especially the dealings of the wicked.
It’s easy to think we can hide our actions or our thoughts from God. But this ancient verse reminds us why that’s a foolish, even dangerous, delusion.
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The core of this passage is an argument against the practical atheism of the wicked. They didn't necessarily deny God's existence, but they acted as if He was uninvolved, blind, and deaf to their actions.
The Flaw in Their Thinking
The Psalmist uses a flawless line of reasoning based on the very act of creation:
Understand the original words
yasar · Hebrew Verb
The act of correcting, training, or instructing through experience, often involving hardship or trial. God uses this to shape His children's character and lead them back to righteousness.
yakach · Hebrew Verb
A strong expression of disapproval, censure, or calling to account for wrong behavior. God rebukes both individuals and nations to demonstrate His holiness and justice.
This passage emphasizes God's creation of humanity in His own image, setting the stage for the idea that the Creator would possess the attributes He bestowed upon His creation.
Job 38:1-7Here, God questions Job about the foundations of the earth and the stars, highlighting His supreme power and knowledge as the ultimate Creator, making the psalmist's point about God's ability to see and hear even more profound.
Isaiah 40:28This verse states that the Lord does not faint or grow weary, and His understanding is unsearchable, reinforcing the idea that the Creator's capabilities far surpass human limitations, including the ability to perceive and act.
John 4:24Jesus declares that God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth, underscoring that God's nature transcends physical organs, yet He is fully capable of perceiving and interacting with His creation.
Hebrews 4:13This passage directly states that no creature is hidden from God's sight but all things are exposed and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account, echoing the psalmist's argument about God's perfect awareness.
jfbPsalms 94:9: "He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?"
9-11. The evidence of God's providential government is found in His creative power and omniscience, which also assure us that He can punish the wicked in regard to all their vain purposes.
calvinPsalms 94:7-10: "Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it."
And they have said, God shall not see, the God of Jacob shall not know. 8. Understand, ye stupid [17] among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? 9. He that planted [18] the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? 10. He that chastiseth the nations, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge. [19]
And they have said, God shall not see When the Ps…
The verse doesn't just say God can hear and see; it uses the very actions of creation – planting an ear and forming an eye – to show that His hearing and sight are inherent to His being, not just abilities He possesses. It points to the profound idea that if He made the capacity for these senses, He must possess them in a perfect, essential way.
The Psalmist is addressing wicked people who are taunting God, acting as if He doesn't see or care about their injustice and violence. He refutes their foolishness by pointing to the incredible design of human senses, arguing that the Creator of our hearing and sight must Himself possess these perfect abilities. This is part of a larger plea to God for vengeance against oppressors who abuse their power and mock divine justice.
The Psalmist is addressing wicked people who are taunting God, acting as if He doesn't see or care about their injustice and violence. He refutes their foolishness by pointing to the incredible design of human senses, arguing that the Creator of our hearing and sight must Himself possess these perfect abilities. This is part of a larger plea to God for vengeance against oppressors who abuse their power and mock divine justice.
"He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge—" — The verse doesn't just say God can hear and see; it uses the very actions of creation – planting an ear and forming an eye – to show that His hearing and sight are inherent to His being, not just abi…
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Last reviewed October 2026