Psalm 10 10

Psalm 10:10 kjv

He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.

Psalm 10:10 nkjv

So he crouches, he lies low, That the helpless may fall by his strength.

Psalm 10:10 niv

His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.

Psalm 10:10 esv

The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might.

Psalm 10:10 nlt

Their helpless victims are crushed;
they fall beneath the strength of the wicked.

Psalm 10 verses

Psalm 10 10 Meaning

Psalm 10:10 paints a vivid picture of the wicked oppressor's method. It depicts them as a predator, deliberately positioning themselves in a deceptive or low posture (crouching, lying low) to prepare for an attack. This stealthy and calculated action then culminates in the vulnerable and helpless (the "cheilim" - those who have lost their strength or resources) falling decisively into the wicked's power due to their overwhelming might and cunning. The verse underscores the ruthless efficacy of the oppressor's tactics and the tragic fate of their victims.

Psalm 10 10 Context

Psalm 10 forms a complementary pair with Psalm 9, with both dealing with divine justice, but from different perspectives. While Psalm 9 praises God for His justice and help to the oppressed, Psalm 10 is a lament and a desperate prayer regarding the apparent absence of God's intervention in the face of rampant wickedness. It details the specific actions and arrogant mindset of the wicked who deny God's presence or judgment (Psa 10:4, 11). The wicked operate with stealth (Psa 10:8-9) and brute force, particularly against the most vulnerable members of society—the poor, orphans, and widows—who, in the ancient Near East, often lacked legal or social protection and were dependent on a righteous society or divine intervention. Verse 10 builds on the preceding verses, providing another facet of the oppressor's predatory strategy, emphasizing their cunning and overwhelming power to ensnare and exploit the defenseless. It highlights the profound suffering of the victims and implicitly questions divine inaction.

Psalm 10 10 Word analysis

• He crouches (יִדְכֶּה - yidkeh): From the Hebrew root dakhah (דָּכָא). While dakhah often means "to crush" or "to be broken" (Job 5:4, Psa 51:17), in this context, when referring to the wicked, it depicts a specific predatory action. It signifies an intentional "crouching down" or "bending low," akin to a wild animal preparing to pounce or a hunter adopting a low posture to conceal themselves before striking their unsuspecting prey. It conveys both a physical position and a deceitful, preparatory state of mind, setting the stage for their aggressive act.
• he lies low (יָשֹׁחַ - yashoch): From the root shachach (שָׁחַח), meaning "to bow down," "stoop," or "sink down." This word reinforces the image initiated by "crouches." It emphasizes the wicked's deliberate concealment or feigned humility to avoid detection and lull their victims into a false sense of security. It suggests a methodical and cunning approach, reducing their visibility before delivering the fatal blow. The two verbs together describe the deceptive stealth of the oppressor.
• the helpless (חֵילִים - cheilim): The Hebrew word chayil (חַיִל) generally refers to "strength," "wealth," "valour," or an "army" (Gen 47:6, Prov 31:10). However, its meaning is highly context-dependent. In this verse, particularly juxtaposed with "fall by his might," it refers not to the mighty but to those who are devoid of strength, or whose strength/resources are taken. It specifically refers to the weak, the poor, the vulnerable, the unfortunate victims who possess no means of self-defense against the wicked's assault. Scholars recognize this as an instance where the semantic range shifts based on the surrounding words to describe the effect of oppression—making them 'without strength' or taking their 'resources.'
• fall (וְנָפַל - venafal): From the root nafal (נָפַל), meaning "to fall," "to be cast down," or "to collapse." This verb marks the unfortunate outcome for the victims. It indicates their utter defeat and vulnerability; they succumb completely to the oppressor's attack. It implies being overwhelmed and brought low, losing all standing or ability to resist.
• by his might (בַּעֲצוּמָיו - ba'atzumav): From the root atzumah (עָצוּמָה), meaning "strong," "mighty," or "powerful." This phrase directly indicates the means by which the wicked achieve their goal. It refers to the overwhelming power—whether physical strength, influence, resources, or sheer brutal force—that the oppressor wields. This power is contrasted with the weakness of the "helpless," making the victory of the wicked appear absolute and unopposed by human means.

Words-group Analysis

• He crouches, he lies low: This initial pairing establishes the deceptive and insidious nature of the wicked. It’s not a direct, open confrontation but a calculated maneuver, emphasizing their cunning and treachery. Like a predator, they meticulously prepare their strike.
• the helpless fall by his might: This second phrase group reveals the tragic consequence. It contrasts the vulnerability of the victims with the overwhelming power of the aggressor. The direct cause-and-effect shows the wicked's strategy leading to the absolute subjugation of the weak, underscoring the deep injustice described by the psalmist.

Psalm 10 10 Bonus Section

• Imagery of the Hunter: The vivid imagery of the wicked "crouching" and "lying low" before their victims falling "by his might" parallels a wild beast, such as the lion mentioned in Psalm 10:9. This animalistic metaphor highlights the primal, instinctual, and ruthless nature of the oppressor, devoid of human compassion or divine fear.
• The Power Dynamics: The verse starkly contrasts the great "might" of the wicked with the complete helplessness of the victims. This stark imbalance of power is central to the psalmist's complaint, revealing a world where justice is inverted and the strong prey upon the weak without apparent divine intervention.
• Echoes of Creation: In some interpretations, the "cheilim" (helpless) could also carry a nuance of the "wealth" or "resources" of the poor that are ultimately seized by the oppressor. This aligns with the wider theme of the wicked gaining at the expense of the vulnerable, exploiting not just their bodies or spirit, but also their livelihood.

Psalm 10 10 Commentary

Psalm 10:10 provides a stark portrait of the wicked’s predatory modus operandi. They do not attack head-on but employ cunning and stealth, positioning themselves subtly ("crouches, lies low") to lull their unsuspecting victims into complacency or to gain a tactical advantage. This preparatory deception is not for a minor misdeed, but to unleash their full "might" upon the "helpless." The verse underscores the absolute vulnerability of the weak against such calculated cruelty, and the effectiveness of the wicked's scheme is disturbingly evident in the way their victims "fall." It emphasizes a lack of mercy and an abundance of malicious intent, where power is wielded to exploit rather than to protect. This action exemplifies the wicked's complete disregard for God's laws and justice, making their oppression even more grievous.