Psalm 10 8

Psalm 10:8 kjv

He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.

Psalm 10:8 nkjv

He sits in the lurking places of the villages; In the secret places he murders the innocent; His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless.

Psalm 10:8 niv

He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent. His eyes watch in secret for his victims;

Psalm 10:8 esv

He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;

Psalm 10:8 nlt

They lurk in ambush in the villages,
waiting to murder innocent people.
They are always searching for helpless victims.

Psalm 10 verses

Psalm 10 8 Meaning

Psalm 10:8 powerfully depicts the wicked person's insidious methods of preying upon the vulnerable. This individual deliberately positions himself in hidden, strategic locations, often in less fortified or unsuspecting communities. From these concealed spots, he executes his malicious intent, violently ending the lives of those who are entirely blameless. His every move and gaze are secretly directed with a calculated malevolence towards the defenseless, observing them with a predator's cunning before striking. The verse reveals a calculated, hidden evil, specifically targeting the weakest members of society for unjust destruction.

Psalm 10 8 Context

Psalm 10 is a heartfelt lament from the Psalmist, observing the pervasive oppression and apparent impunity of the wicked. It opens with a desperate cry asking why God seems distant amidst such suffering. The psalm proceeds to paint a vivid, disturbing portrait of the godless oppressor, detailing his arrogant boasts, his self-sufficiency, his rejection of God, and his ruthless actions. Verse 8 fits within this detailed description (Ps 10:7-11) of the wicked man's character and predatory tactics. Historically, it reflects the social reality in ancient Near Eastern communities where the vulnerable (widows, orphans, strangers, and the poor) were often exploited, especially in unfortified areas or smaller settlements ("villages"). The wicked man described is a cunning and unprincipled individual who deliberately exploits trust and safety to harm those who pose no threat and have no defense. The broader context of Psalm 10 is a prayer for divine intervention and justice against such wickedness, rooted in the belief that God ultimately sees and will act (Ps 10:12-18).

Psalm 10 8 Word analysis

• He sits (יָשַׁב, yashav): This Hebrew verb often means to dwell, inhabit, sit, or remain. Here, it implies a deliberate, calculated, and established positioning. It's not a fleeting presence, but a purposeful, patient staking out of a spot, much like an ambush predator.
• in the lurking places (מַאַרְבִּים, ma'arabbim): From the root אָרַב ('arav), meaning to lie in wait or ambush. These are concealed spots, places designed for surprise attack, like a lair or a den where one can observe unseen.
• of the villages (חֲצֵרִים, chatzerim): Refers to open settlements, unfortified hamlets, or even courtyards. Unlike walled cities, villages were often less secure and thus offered easier targets for predation, inhabited by ordinary, unsuspecting people. This highlights the wicked's exploitation of the common, relatively trusting environment.
• In the secret places (בַּמִּסְתָּרִים, bam-mistarim): This emphasizes concealment and secrecy. It refers to hidden nooks, secluded areas, or places where one can operate without detection. This re-emphasizes the covert nature of the wicked's operations.
• he murders (יַהֲרֹג, yaharog): A strong, unequivocal verb meaning to kill, slay, or murder. It signifies a violent and unlawful taking of life, not by accident but with intent.
• the innocent (נָקִי, naqi): This word means pure, guiltless, blameless. The victim is explicitly portrayed as having committed no wrong, making the wicked's act all the more heinous and unjust. It intensifies the depravity.
• His eyes are secretly set (עֵינָיו יִצְפֹּנוּ, eina'v yitzponu): Literally, "his eyes they hide," or "his eyes observe in hiding." It denotes clandestine observation. The wicked man is carefully watching, waiting for the opportune moment, much like a hunter stalking prey, ensuring his victims are helpless before he acts.
• against the helpless (חֵלְכָה, chelka): Refers to the poor, unfortunate, weak, or suffering. These are the most vulnerable members of society, those unable to defend themselves or seek justice easily. This further emphasizes the moral bankruptcy of the wicked, who targets those least capable of resistance.

Words-group analysis:

• He sits in the lurking places of the villages: This phrase depicts the premeditated and strategic positioning of the wicked. He does not act impulsively but patiently sets up an ambush, specifically choosing a less protected or unsuspecting environment to minimize risk to himself and maximize harm to others.
• In the secret places he murders the innocent: This group highlights the core act of evil: murder carried out with secrecy and malice against those who are blameless. The hidden nature ensures no witnesses and less chance of accountability, revealing the cowardly yet effective method of the oppressor.
• His eyes are secretly set against the helpless: This emphasizes the wicked's predatory gaze and target selection. He surveys his victims with cunning and calculation, ensuring they are utterly defenseless before making his move, displaying an utter lack of empathy and a calculating evil.

Psalm 10 8 Bonus section

The Hebrew parallelism in Psalm 10:8 strengthens its impact, reinforcing the central theme of hidden malice and victim vulnerability. The successive phrases deepen the image of the wicked man's depravity. The shift from "lurking places of the villages" to "secret places" emphasizes an ever-increasing degree of hiddenness and strategic planning. Furthermore, the deliberate "sitting" and the clandestine "eyes secretly set" convey a terrifying patience and thoroughness in his wickedness, highlighting that these are not crimes of passion but of premeditated intent. The description serves as a stark warning about the forms evil can take when divine oversight is disregarded by the perpetrator (Ps 10:11, "He says in his heart, 'God has forgotten'").

Psalm 10 8 Commentary

Psalm 10:8 presents a stark reality of human wickedness: its deceptive nature and its chosen targets. The description goes beyond mere malice to expose a calculated, cold-hearted intent. The wicked man's "sitting" implies an almost casual dwelling in ambush, making his horrific deeds appear seamless within his environment. By selecting "villages" and "secret places," he capitalizes on their presumed safety and tranquility, turning them into hunting grounds. His victims, identified as "the innocent" and "the helpless," are those least equipped to defend themselves, underscoring the extreme cruelty and injustice of his actions. This verse portrays an evil that is not chaotic or impulsive, but patient, methodical, and designed for maximum destruction with minimal personal risk. It speaks to a profound lack of the fear of God (Ps 10:4), where human life, particularly the most vulnerable, holds no value. The hiddenness of these acts intensifies the psalmist's plea, as it seems justice is delayed because the crimes are unseen by human eyes. Yet, the divine eye certainly sees.

• Practical application: This verse can illuminate modern forms of subtle oppression: corporate greed that exploits the poor in underserved communities, online predators who groom the innocent in hidden chat forums, or systemic injustices that subtly diminish the rights of the powerless. Recognizing "lurking places" of spiritual attack often involves vigilance against complacency in safe zones, acknowledging that evil rarely announces itself openly but seeks hidden avenues.