Psalm 10:16 kjv
The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.
Psalm 10:16 nkjv
The LORD is King forever and ever; The nations have perished out of His land.
Psalm 10:16 niv
The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.
Psalm 10:16 esv
The LORD is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land.
Psalm 10:16 nlt
The LORD is king forever and ever!
The godless nations will vanish from the land.
Psalm 10 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 29:10 | The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever. | God's eternal reign over chaos and all. |
| Psa 93:1 | The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty... established; it cannot be moved. | God's majestic and unshakable kingdom. |
| Psa 145:13 | Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures... | Affirmation of God's unending sovereignty. |
| Dan 4:3 | How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.. | God's kingdom as eternal, beyond human rulers. |
| Rev 11:15 | The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever. | Eschatological fulfillment of divine kingship. |
| Isa 9:6-7 | ...his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government... | Messianic prophecy of an eternal, righteous rule. |
| Jer 10:10 | But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. | Contrasting Yahweh's eternal rule with idols. |
| Zec 14:9 | And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one. | Prophecy of God's universal future reign. |
| Psa 9:5-6 | You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish... | God's active role in destroying wicked nations. |
| Psa 37:9-10 | For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land... | Righteous inherit, wicked perish from the land. |
| Psa 79:10 | ...let vengeance for the outpoured blood of your servants be known among the nations in our sight. | A cry for divine judgment on nations. |
| Isa 60:12 | For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste. | Unrighteous nations face utter destruction. |
| Zep 3:8 | ...to gather the nations, to assemble the kingdoms, in order to pour out upon them my indignation... | God's gathering nations for judgment. |
| Matt 25:32-33 | Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them... | Christ's future judgment of all nations. |
| Rev 20:9-10 | ...fire came down from heaven and consumed them... and the devil... was thrown into the lake of fire... | Ultimate end of rebellious nations and evil. |
| Lev 25:23 | The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with me. | God's fundamental ownership of all land. |
| Deut 32:43 | "Rejoice with him, O heavens; bow down to him, all gods. For he will avenge the blood of his children... | Divine vengeance on those who oppose God's people. |
| Exod 15:18 | The LORD will reign forever and ever. | Post-Red Sea affirmation of God's kingship. |
| Hab 2:20 | But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. | The sovereign presence and power of God. |
| Psa 10:4-5 | In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” | The context of the wicked's disregard for God. |
| Psa 9:7 | But the LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for judgment. | God's enduring throne established for justice. |
| Num 14:28-29 | As I live... your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and all of your number, from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, shall perish. | Example of rebellion leading to perishing in God's land. |
Psalm 10 verses
Psalm 10 16 Meaning
Psalm 10:16 declares the eternal and absolute sovereignty of the LORD, affirming His perpetual rule over all creation. In striking contrast, it pronounces the inevitable demise and disappearance of all ungodly nations from His rightful dominion. This verse serves as a declaration of faith and hope amidst the psalmist's complaint against the wicked, asserting God's ultimate triumph and justice over all opposing forces and systems of evil.
Psalm 10 16 Context
Psalm 10 opens with a lament, as the psalmist questions why the LORD stands afar off, seemingly hidden during times of trouble. The body of the psalm details the arrogant, self-reliant nature of the wicked who oppress the poor and defy God. They think God neither sees nor cares, believing "There is no God" (v. 4). The psalmist passionately cries out for God's intervention and justice (v. 12-15). Amidst this deep plea and portrayal of human wickedness, Psalm 10:16 delivers a powerful theological declaration that resolves the tension: despite present appearances, God remains sovereign and will ultimately deal with evil. Historically, the 'nations' (goyim) could refer to the Gentile peoples surrounding Israel who often oppressed them, or broadly to any group hostile to God and His purposes within the "land" of His covenant people. This verse functions as a bedrock of assurance for the faithful, declaring that the oppressive rule of man is transient, while God's reign is eternal.
Psalm 10 16 Word analysis
- The LORD (Hebrew: YHWH, Yahweh): This is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His self-existence, unchangeable nature, and active presence with His people. It points to His unique identity as the sovereign Creator and Redeemer. The use of Yahweh here underscores His absolute authority and power.
- is King (Hebrew: melech): Signifies royal authority, sovereign dominion, and active rule. It highlights His inherent right and power to govern, judge, and defend. This isn't a passive title but a dynamic role.
- forever and ever (Hebrew: 'olam va'ed): An emphatic phrase denoting eternity, without beginning or end, perpetually, continually. It stresses the everlasting and enduring nature of God's reign, contrasting with any temporal earthly rule.
- the nations (Hebrew: goyim): Primarily refers to non-Israelite peoples or Gentiles. In this context, it often denotes nations or groups hostile to God and His people, characterized by their rejection of His law and practice of oppression. It encompasses all those who act like the wicked described earlier in the psalm.
- have perished (Hebrew: 'avad): Meaning to be lost, vanish, destroyed, to cease to exist or function effectively. It indicates their ultimate downfall, eradication of their power, and removal from influence, rather than necessarily physical annihilation of every individual. Their societal structure, authority, and identity as a force opposing God will be utterly undone.
- from His land (Hebrew: mei'artzo): Refers to God's proprietorship over the earth. While literally could mean the land of Canaan/Israel which God granted to His people, it extends to denote God's rightful domain or sphere of righteous rule over all the earth. The wicked nations will be removed from any place they falsely claim as their own or where they assert their ungodly authority. This implies cleansing and restoration of God's dominion.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "The LORD is King forever and ever": This declarative statement forms the bedrock of faith for the psalmist. It contrasts with the immediate experience of the wicked prospering. It's a statement of theological truth and cosmic reality, regardless of present circumstances. This asserts divine timeless sovereignty and immutability.
- "the nations have perished from His land": This is a future reality presented with past tense certainty (perfect tense), indicating the guaranteed outcome of God's reign. It reflects divine judgment and cleansing. The "perishing" of "nations" from "His land" signifies the elimination of all opposition to God's reign and the restoration of His dominion, where justice and righteousness prevail. This speaks of the triumph of God's righteous rule over human wickedness.
Psalm 10 16 Bonus section
The statement "the nations have perished" uses a Hebrew perfect tense verb ('avad), which often describes a completed action or a certain future outcome. This expresses a divine certainty; from God's eternal perspective, the destruction of opposing nations is already accomplished. This concept counters pagan beliefs in deities tied to specific lands or ephemeral power structures. The "land" here not only refers to the Promised Land as a microcosm of God's kingdom but also to the entire earth as God's creation and rightful domain. The expulsion of these 'nations' is not simply removal but eradication of their ungodly influence, preparing the way for the full manifestation of God's just rule. This verse can be understood eschatologically, pointing towards the final victory of Christ's kingdom and the elimination of all rebellious earthly powers as prophesied throughout scripture. It’s a foundational declaration that bridges the gap between the present experience of suffering and the ultimate triumph of God's divine purpose.
Psalm 10 16 Commentary
Psalm 10:16 offers a profound declaration of God's sovereignty amidst a psalm heavy with complaint and a longing for divine intervention. It asserts an enduring truth: despite the temporary triumph of the wicked and the apparent absence of justice in the world, the LORD remains eternally enthroned as King. This unwavering reality is the ultimate answer to the psalmist's plea. The "perishing" of the "nations from His land" is a statement of divine judgment – a guarantee that all forces, whether societal or political, that oppose God's righteous rule will ultimately be removed and lose their influence. This isn't just about geographical cleansing but about the comprehensive establishment of God's dominion, where injustice cannot endure. It reassures believers that their struggle against evil is not in vain, for God's eternal rule ensures that wickedness, no matter how entrenched, has no permanent place in His creation. Practically, this verse encourages steadfast faith in God's ultimate justice, reminding us that evil's days are numbered, and His kingdom will prevail. For example, when faced with overwhelming societal injustice, remembering God is King "forever and ever" transforms despair into hope, fueling prayer and righteous action with the assurance of divine triumph.