Psalms 10:10
Psalms 10:10 in Multiple Translations
They are crushed and beaten down; the hapless fall prey to his strength.
He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
He croucheth, he boweth down, And the helpless fall by his strong ones.
The upright are crushed and made low, and the feeble are overcome by his strong ones.
Their victims are knocked down, laid low. They fall under the strength of the wicked.
He croucheth and boweth: therefore heaps of the poore doe fall by his might.
He is bruised — he boweth down, Fallen by his mighty ones hath the afflicted.
The helpless are crushed. They collapse. They fall under his strength.
He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
Just like helpless animals are crushed, people who cannot defend themselves are killed because wicked people are very strong.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 10:10
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 10:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
ו/דכה
יִדְכֶּ֥ה
יָשֹׁ֑חַ
וְ/נָפַ֥ל
בַּ֝/עֲצוּמָ֗י/ו
חלכאים
חֵ֣יל
כָּאִֽים
ו/דכה
dâkâh
H1794
to crush
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
יִדְכֶּ֥ה
dâkâh
H1794
to crush
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
יָשֹׁ֑חַ
shâchach
H7817
to bow
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/נָפַ֥ל
nâphal
H5307
to fall
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
בַּ֝/עֲצוּמָ֗י/ו
ʻâtsûwm
H6099
mighty
Prep | Adj | Suff
חלכאים
chêlᵉkâʼ
H2489
helpless
N-fp
חֵ֣יל
chêyl
H2426
rampart
N-ms
כָּאִֽים
kâʼâh
H3512
be disheartened
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 10:10
ו/דכה
dâkâh
H1794
"to crush"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
This verb means to crush or collapse, either physically or mentally. It can describe being broken-hearted, like in Psalm 34:18, or being crushed by a heavy burden. It's about being completely overwhelmed.
Definition: 1) to crush, be crushed, be contrite, be broken 1a) (Qal) to be crushed, collapse 1b)(Niphal) to be crushed, be contrite, be broken 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to crush down 1c2) to crush to pieces
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: break (sore), contrite, crouch. See also: Psalms 10:10; Psalms 44:20; Psalms 38:9.
יִדְכֶּ֥ה
dâkâh
H1794
"to crush"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to crush or collapse, either physically or mentally. It can describe being broken-hearted, like in Psalm 34:18, or being crushed by a heavy burden. It's about being completely overwhelmed.
Definition: 1) to crush, be crushed, be contrite, be broken 1a) (Qal) to be crushed, collapse 1b)(Niphal) to be crushed, be contrite, be broken 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to crush down 1c2) to crush to pieces
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: break (sore), contrite, crouch. See also: Psalms 10:10; Psalms 44:20; Psalms 38:9.
יָשֹׁ֑חַ
shâchach
H7817
"to bow"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To bow down means to sink or depress oneself, often in humility or worship, as seen in the story of King David in 1 Samuel. It can also mean to crouch or be prostrated, like an animal in a lair, and is used to describe a range of emotions and postures.
Definition: 1) to bow, crouch, bow down, be bowed down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be bowed down, be prostrated, be humbled 1a2) to bow (in homage) 1a3) to bow (of mourner) 1a4) to crouch (of wild beast in lair) 1b) (Niphal) to be prostrated, be humbled, be reduced, be weakened, proceed humbly, be bowed down 1c) (Hiphil) to prostrate, lay low, bow down 1d) (Hithpolel) to be cast down, be despairing
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: bend, bow (down), bring (cast) down, couch, humble self, be (bring) low, stoop. See also: Job 9:13; Proverbs 14:19; Psalms 10:10.
וְ/נָפַ֥ל
nâphal
H5307
"to fall"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.
בַּ֝/עֲצוּמָ֗י/ו
ʻâtsûwm
H6099
"mighty"
Prep | Adj | Suff
This word means mighty or powerful, often describing something as strong or numerous. It is used in the Bible to describe God's power and strength.
Definition: 1) mighty, vast, numerous 1a) mighty, strong (in number) 1b) numerous, countless
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] feeble, great, mighty, must, strong. See also: Genesis 18:18; Proverbs 7:26; Psalms 10:10.
חלכאים
chêlᵉkâʼ
H2489
"helpless"
N-fp
This word describes someone who is helpless or unfortunate, like a poor person in need of aid, and is used in the Bible to show sympathy for those struggling.
Definition: hapless, poor, unfortunate person
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: poor. See also: Psalms 10:8; Psalms 10:10; Psalms 10:14.
חֵ֣יל
chêyl
H2426
"rampart"
N-ms
This word refers to a strong wall or fortress that protects a city or a group of people. It is used in the Bible to talk about armies, walls, and other kinds of strong defenses, and is translated as 'army', 'rampart', or 'wall'.
Definition: 1) rampart, fortress, wall 1a) rampart 1b) fortress Also means: che.lah (חֵילָה "bulwark" H2430)
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: army, bulwark, host, [phrase] poor, rampart, trench, wall. See also: 2 Samuel 8:9; 2 Chronicles 26:13; Psalms 10:10.
כָּאִֽים
kâʼâh
H3512
"be disheartened"
Adj
To be disheartened or broken is what this word means, like when the Israelites were grieved after hearing the report of the 12 spies in Numbers 13.
Definition: 1) to be sad, be disheartened 1a) (Niphal) to be disheartened, be cowed 1b) (Hiphil) to make sad
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: broken, be grieved, make sad. See also: Psalms 10:10; Ezekiel 13:22; Psalms 109:16.
Study Notes — Psalms 10:10
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 10:10 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 10:10
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 10:10
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 10:10
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 10:10
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 10:10
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 10:10
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 10:10
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 10:10
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 10:10
Context — The Perils of the Pilgrim
8He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless.
9He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net.
10They are crushed and beaten down; the helpless fall prey to his strength.
11He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He hides His face and never sees.” 12Arise, O LORD! Lift up Your hand, O God! Do not forget the helpless.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 23:21–22 | “May you be blessed by the LORD,” replied Saul, “for you have had compassion on me. Please go and prepare further. Investigate and watch carefully where he goes and who has seen him there, for I am told that he is extremely cunning. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 18:21–26 | “I will give her to David,” Saul thought, “so that she may be a snare to him, and the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “For a second time now you can be my son-in-law.” Then Saul ordered his servants, “Speak to David privately and tell him, ‘Behold, the king is pleased with you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore, become his son-in-law.’” But when Saul’s servants relayed these words to David, he replied, “Does it seem trivial in your sight to be the son-in-law of the king? I am a poor man and lightly esteemed.” And the servants told Saul what David had said. Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king desires no other dowry but a hundred Philistine foreskins as revenge on his enemies.’” But Saul intended to cause David’s death at the hands of the Philistines. When the servants reported these terms to David, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. Before the wedding day arrived, |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 15:5 | Also, when anyone approached to bow down to him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him, and kiss him. |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 2:36 | And everyone left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver or a morsel of bread, pleading, “Please appoint me to some priestly office so that I can eat a piece of bread.”’” |
Psalms 10:10 Summary
This verse, Psalms 10:10, describes how the wicked take advantage of the weak and helpless, using their strength to hurt and oppress them. It's a sad and unfair situation, but we can take comfort in knowing that God sees and cares about the suffering of the innocent, as He promises in Psalms 34:18. We can also trust that God will one day bring justice and punish the wicked, as warned in Psalms 37:13. By trusting in God's goodness and love, we can find hope and peace even in the midst of suffering, just like the psalmist in Psalms 23:4, who says that even in the darkest valley, God is with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of 'the hapless' in Psalms 10:10?
The term 'the hapless' refers to those who are unfortunate, miserable, or helpless, much like the poor and needy mentioned in Psalms 35:10, who are often the target of the wicked.
How does the wicked man's strength impact the innocent?
According to Psalms 10:10, the wicked man's strength is used to crush and beat down the innocent, much like a lion preying on its victim, as described in Psalms 10:9.
Is God aware of the suffering of the innocent?
Although the wicked man believes that God has forgotten the helpless, as stated in Psalms 10:11, the Bible assures us that God is always aware of the suffering of the innocent, as seen in Psalms 22:24, where it says that God has not hidden His face from the afflicted.
What is the appropriate response to the suffering of the innocent?
The psalmist's cry in Psalms 10:12, 'Arise, O LORD! Lift up Your hand, O God! Do not forget the helpless,' serves as a model for our response, which should be to pray for God's intervention and to trust in His justice, as encouraged in Psalms 37:7-9.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when I see the wicked prospering and the innocent suffering, and what does this reveal about my trust in God's sovereignty?
- In what ways can I identify with the 'hapless' in Psalms 10:10, and how can I find comfort in God's presence during difficult times?
- What are some ways that I can be an advocate for the helpless and oppressed, as God commands in Proverbs 31:8-9?
- How can I balance the reality of evil and suffering in the world with the truth of God's goodness and love, as seen in Psalms 23:4 and Romans 8:28?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 10:10
He croucheth [and] humbleth himself,.... As the lion before he leaps and seizes on his prey, and as the fowler creepeth upon the ground to draw the bird into his net and catch it; so the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 10:10
He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. He croucheth.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 10:10
Like a lion, (for he continues the same metaphor,) which gathereth himself together, and lies close upon the ground, partly that he may not be discovered, and partly that he may more suddenly, and surely, and fiercely lay hold upon his prey. But for this translation, because this and is not in the Hebrew, and there is another and there prefixed to the first verb, some join that first verb to the end of the 10th verse, and render the place thus, he catcheth the poor by drawing him into his net, and breaks him to pieces, as that verb properly signifies. So there is only a detect of the pronoun, which is most frequent. And this makes the sense complete, which otherwise would be imperfect in that verse, and showeth us what he doth with his prey when he hath taken it. And this 10th verse begins very well with the next verb, he humbleth himself; or, he stoops, or bends himself. That the poor may fall; or, that he may fall upon the poor; that having first crouched and lain down, and then of a sudden rising, he may leap and fall upon his prey, like a lion. By his strong ones, i.e. by his strong members, his teeth or paws. So it is an ellipsis of the noun substantive; whereof we have examples, as , new for a new sword; and , full for a full cup; and , cold for cold water.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 10:10
Psalms 10:10 He croucheth, [and] humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. Ver. 10. He croucheth (or crusheth), and humbleth himself] Lion like, Job 38:40. He can sow the fox’ s skin to the lion’ s hide for a need, and to compass his design. As proud as he is, yet in subtlety he can abase himself; and, with glavering speeches and fawning behaviour, indirectly endeavour the overthrow of the innocent and distressed. To which purpose he can put himself to pain, feign himself sick and in a dying condition (as those do that stand for the popedom), counterfeit and pretend humility, but all is hypocrisy, Seipsum aegrum, et attritum fingit (of David). That the poor may fall by his strong ones] Whether teeth or paws. Per impia decreta, saith R. Obadiah, by his wicked decrees, by the hands of his privados, desperate assassinates, saith another expositor.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 10:10
(10) By his strong ones.—Possibly, by his strong claws, recurring to the metaphor of the lion. Some (Jerome, Perowne, and apparently Syriac), instead of “croucheth,” render “is crushed,” making the sufferer its subject. There is a various reading to the text, but in either case the image of the beast gathering himself together for a spring is admissible. Or, keeping the primary sense of darkness, render, he crouches and skulks, and lies darkly down in his strong places. This avoids the anomaly of taking the plural noun with a singular verb. For the adverbial use of the plural noun, see Isaiah 1:10; Psalms 139:14.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 10:10
Verse 10. He croucheth] Of the scoffing, mocking, insulting, and insidious conduct of Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, the fourth and sixth chapters of Nehemiah give abundant proof; and possibly the allusion is to them. The lion squats down and gathers himself together, that he may make the greater spring.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 10:10
10. We may render with R.V. He croucheth, he boweth down, And the helpless fall by his strong ones. An obscure verse. According to the rendering of the R.V., which follows the traditional reading (Qrç), the figure of the lion is resumed. The word rendered boweth down is used of a lion couching in Job 38:40, the whole of which verse should be compared with Psalms 10:9-10. His strong ones is explained to mean his claws. But it seems preferable to regard the poor as the subject, and, neglecting the Massoretic accents, to render: He is crushed, he boweth down and falleth; (yea) the helpless (fall) by his strong ones: i.e. the ruffians of the wicked man’s retinue. The R.V. marg., And being crushed, follows the reading of the text (Kthîbh), and gives the same sense.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 10:10
He croucheth - Margin, “breaketh himself.” Coverdale, “Then smiteth he, then oppresseth he.” Prof.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 10:10
10. Croucheth—The figure now changes back to the habits of the beast of prey. The lion never runs upon his prey, but always first crouches flat, and then springs upon his victim.