The wicked may prosper for a season and believe God does not see, yet the psalmist reminds us that divine justice is certain and that arrogance cannot stand forever before the God who observes all.
Psalm 10:5-11Psalm 10:5-11 commentary starts with: His ways prosper at all times; Your judgments are on high, out of his sight; As for all his adversaries, he snorts at them (v. 5). These words highlight the troubling appearance that the wicked person seems to succeed in everything he does. In his arrogance, he mocks both God’s justice and those who stand against him, dismissing any eventual retribution. In some ways, this reflects a deeper spiritual truth that when evil appears to flourish, it can test the faith of the righteous, prompting them to rely on God rather than visible outcomes (Habakkuk 1:13Habakkuk 1:13 commentary).
He says to himself, “I will not be moved; throughout all generations I will not be in adversity.” (v. 6). Here, the evildoer imagines he is unshakable and immune to the consequences of his actions. The mindset conveyed is one of complete self-confidence and a lack of fear for God’s intervention, echoing the warning given throughout Scripture that pride often blinds people to their fragile standing before the Lord (James 4:6James 4:6 commentary). In the context of ancient Israel, people who spoke this way were often those with worldly power, forgetting that their strength was temporary and subject to God’s sovereignty.
His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression; under his tongue is mischief and wickedness. (v. 7). The Psalm depicts the wicked person’s speech as a destructive force, brimming with deception and harmful intentions. Words are powerful—here they become extensions of his inward corruption, stirring harm in communities and relationships. This pattern of vicious speech connects with themes throughout the Bible that warn against using words to lie, oppress, or bear false witness, reminding believers to guard their mouths (James 3:6James 3:6 commentary).
He sits in the lurking places of the villages; in the hiding places he kills the innocent; his eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate. (v. 8). In an era when villages were centers of daily life but often lacked strong defenses, wrongdoers preyed on unsuspecting travelers or residents. The wicked person’s strategy is to ambush the powerless, driven by greed or malice. The imagery evokes a sense of covert oppression, where their actions are hidden from plain sight but cause deep suffering among the vulnerable.
He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his lair; he lurks to catch the afflicted; he catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net. (v. 9). By comparing the evildoer to a lion, the Psalm envisions a ruthless predator stalking easy prey. Like a skilled hunter setting a trap, the wicked lie in wait, seeking the moment of greatest weakness. This verse underscores the deliberate planning behind evil acts, where harm is inflicted methodically on those least able to resist. It captures the painful reality that injustice can become calculated and systematic.
He crouches, he bows down, and the unfortunate fall by his mighty ones. (v. 10). The Psalm continues the image of predatory cunning, describing a posture of false humility. This crouching posture can appear non-threatening but quickly turns violent. The phrase “mighty ones” suggests either accomplices or the capacity of his power to strike the afflicted. It is a vivid demonstration of how evil postures itself deceptively, ready to spring upon those who are already weighed down by hardship.
He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He has hidden His face; He will never see it.” (v. 11). This final verse in the sequence shows the root of the wicked person’s behavior: the assumption that God does not notice or care. Rejecting God’s moral oversight leads him to proceed without any fear of judgment. Scripture consistently refutes this kind of thinking, revealing that God is both all-seeing and just, and that no act, good or evil, escapes His attention (Hebrews 4:13Hebrews 4:13 commentary). Ultimately, the psalmist will appeal to the Lord’s righteous nature, trusting that divine judgment will come at the appointed time.
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Psalm 10:5-11 meaning
Psalm 10:5-11Psalm 10:5-11 commentary starts with: His ways prosper at all times; Your judgments are on high, out of his sight; As for all his adversaries, he snorts at them (v. 5). These words highlight the troubling appearance that the wicked person seems to succeed in everything he does. In his arrogance, he mocks both God’s justice and those who stand against him, dismissing any eventual retribution. In some ways, this reflects a deeper spiritual truth that when evil appears to flourish, it can test the faith of the righteous, prompting them to rely on God rather than visible outcomes (Habakkuk 1:13Habakkuk 1:13 commentary).
He says to himself, “I will not be moved; throughout all generations I will not be in adversity.” (v. 6). Here, the evildoer imagines he is unshakable and immune to the consequences of his actions. The mindset conveyed is one of complete self-confidence and a lack of fear for God’s intervention, echoing the warning given throughout Scripture that pride often blinds people to their fragile standing before the Lord (James 4:6James 4:6 commentary). In the context of ancient Israel, people who spoke this way were often those with worldly power, forgetting that their strength was temporary and subject to God’s sovereignty.
His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression; under his tongue is mischief and wickedness. (v. 7). The Psalm depicts the wicked person’s speech as a destructive force, brimming with deception and harmful intentions. Words are powerful—here they become extensions of his inward corruption, stirring harm in communities and relationships. This pattern of vicious speech connects with themes throughout the Bible that warn against using words to lie, oppress, or bear false witness, reminding believers to guard their mouths (James 3:6James 3:6 commentary).
He sits in the lurking places of the villages; in the hiding places he kills the innocent; his eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate. (v. 8). In an era when villages were centers of daily life but often lacked strong defenses, wrongdoers preyed on unsuspecting travelers or residents. The wicked person’s strategy is to ambush the powerless, driven by greed or malice. The imagery evokes a sense of covert oppression, where their actions are hidden from plain sight but cause deep suffering among the vulnerable.
He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his lair; he lurks to catch the afflicted; he catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net. (v. 9). By comparing the evildoer to a lion, the Psalm envisions a ruthless predator stalking easy prey. Like a skilled hunter setting a trap, the wicked lie in wait, seeking the moment of greatest weakness. This verse underscores the deliberate planning behind evil acts, where harm is inflicted methodically on those least able to resist. It captures the painful reality that injustice can become calculated and systematic.
He crouches, he bows down, and the unfortunate fall by his mighty ones. (v. 10). The Psalm continues the image of predatory cunning, describing a posture of false humility. This crouching posture can appear non-threatening but quickly turns violent. The phrase “mighty ones” suggests either accomplices or the capacity of his power to strike the afflicted. It is a vivid demonstration of how evil postures itself deceptively, ready to spring upon those who are already weighed down by hardship.
He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He has hidden His face; He will never see it.” (v. 11). This final verse in the sequence shows the root of the wicked person’s behavior: the assumption that God does not notice or care. Rejecting God’s moral oversight leads him to proceed without any fear of judgment. Scripture consistently refutes this kind of thinking, revealing that God is both all-seeing and just, and that no act, good or evil, escapes His attention (Hebrews 4:13Hebrews 4:13 commentary). Ultimately, the psalmist will appeal to the Lord’s righteous nature, trusting that divine judgment will come at the appointed time.