Psalm 5 10

Psalm 5:10 kjv

Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.

Psalm 5:10 nkjv

Pronounce them guilty, O God! Let them fall by their own counsels; Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions, For they have rebelled against You.

Psalm 5:10 niv

Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.

Psalm 5:10 esv

Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.

Psalm 5:10 nlt

O God, declare them guilty.
Let them be caught in their own traps.
Drive them away because of their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.

Psalm 5 verses

Psalm 5 10 Meaning

Psalm 5:10 is an imprecatory prayer, where David appeals to God's righteous justice to deal with his enemies. He asks God to condemn them, causing their own evil plots to lead to their downfall, and to banish them due to the extensive nature of their transgressions. The foundational reason for this plea is their rebellion directly against God, rather than solely against David himself. This verse reflects a profound belief in God as the sovereign Judge who will surely execute justice against persistent wickedness and rebellion.

Psalm 5 10 Context

Psalm 5 is a morning prayer of King David, a fervent cry to God amidst persecution from his enemies. The psalm opens with David's desperate plea for God to hear his prayer (vv. 1-3). It quickly transitions to contrasting God's righteous character with the nature of the wicked (vv. 4-6), establishing that God, being holy, detests all evil and lies. This moral foundation justifies David's subsequent petition for judgment. Verses 7-9 reveal David's reliance on God's steadfast love and his need for guidance to escape his adversaries' cunning plots. Within this broader context of seeking divine help and navigating dangers, verse 10 stands as an imprecatory statement, not merely wishing ill upon personal enemies, but appealing to the universal principle of divine justice against those who fundamentally oppose God and His established order. It anticipates a time when God's character as Judge will be fully manifested.

Psalm 5 10 Word analysis

• Destroy/Declare them guilty (הַאֲשִׁימֵם - ha'ashîmem): Derived from the Hebrew root asham (אָשַׁם), meaning "to be guilty," "to become desolate," or "to suffer the consequences of guilt." This is a legal term, essentially asking God to find them guilty and administer the appropriate judgment, which would result in their ruin or destruction. It reflects a divine legal verdict.
• O God (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim): A majestic plural form for God, emphasizing His sovereignty, power, and role as the supreme Judge over all creation and humanity.
• Let them fall (יִפְּלוּ - yippĕlû): From naphal (נָפַל), "to fall down," "to fail," or "to collapse." It signifies utter collapse and defeat, a reversal of fortune.
• By their own counsels (מִמּוֹעֲצֹתֵיהֶם - mimmô'ătsôtêyhem): Mo'ătsôtêyhem refers to their plans, schemes, or devices. The "by/from" indicates the source or instrument of their downfall. The wicked's own strategies, intended to cause harm, are desired to become the very instruments of their ruin, showcasing poetic justice. This is not arbitrary, but directly linked to their malevolent intentions.
• Cast them out (הַדִּיחֵמוֹ - haddichhemô): From nadach (נָדַח), meaning "to drive out," "to expel," or "to banish." It implies being forcibly removed from a place of safety, blessing, or divine favor, a form of spiritual and existential expulsion.
• In the multitude/abundance (בְּרֹב - berôv): Emphasizes the sheer quantity and accumulation of their wrongdoings. Their guilt is not minimal, but extensive and overflowing.
• Of their transgressions (פִּשְׁעֵיהֶם - pish'êyhem): Pesha' (פֶּשַׁע) refers to a deliberate rebellion, a breaking of trust or a covenant. It's more than a mere sin; it implies an intentional revolt against an authority, especially God. It highlights the serious nature of their offense.
• For (כִּי - kî): A causal conjunction, introducing the definitive reason for the requested judgment.
• They have rebelled (מָרוּ - marû): From marah (מָרָה), meaning "to be contentious," "to be rebellious," "to be disobedient." This signifies a conscious, defiant opposition to God's will and authority.
• Against thee (בָךְ - vākh): The direct object of their rebellion is God Himself, not just His servant David. This elevates the prayer from a personal vendetta to an appeal for divine justice against those who oppose God.

Psalm 5 10 Bonus section

The concept of imprecatory psalms, as exemplified in Psalm 5:10, has been a significant point of theological discussion throughout church history. It's widely understood by biblical scholars that these prayers are not to be interpreted as endorsements for personal hatred or vendetta by believers. Instead, they function as appeals to God's righteous covenant justice within a specific historical and theological context. The psalmist is aligning his desires with God's known character as a holy and just Judge who will ultimately vindicate the righteous and punish those who defiantly rebel against His moral order and His anointed. Therefore, the "enemies" are seen not merely as personal adversaries but as those who are enemies of God Himself, manifesting their rebellion through actions against God's people or principles. These psalms often look forward to a day of ultimate reckoning where God's holiness will be perfectly upheld and His adversaries fully subdued, anticipating a justice that humans cannot adequately administer.

Psalm 5 10 Commentary

Psalm 5:10 serves as a powerful expression of faith in God's perfect justice. It's an imprecation, a prayer for divine judgment, rooted in the psalmist's understanding that God actively hates evil and rebellion. David does not seek personal revenge but aligns himself with God's righteous character, requesting that God Himself act decisively. The call for the wicked to "fall by their own counsels" is a vivid petition for their malevolent plans to become their undoing, illustrating a principle of divine poetic justice. Their banishment is sought due to the "multitude of their transgressions," highlighting the cumulative and severe nature of their rebellious acts. The concluding statement, "for they have rebelled against Thee," reveals the ultimate charge: their opposition is against God Himself, making their actions not just personal offenses, but defiance against the Divine King. This verse reassures believers that ultimate justice rests with God and that evil, especially persistent rebellion against God, will not go unpunished. It underscores that God is not indifferent to wickedness but is actively opposed to it.