Psalm 10:3

Translations

Modern

For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.

Traditional

For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.

Literal

For the wicked one boasts over the desire of his heart, and he blesses a dishonest gainer; he has despised YHWH.

Latin

Quoniam laudatur peccator in desideriis animæ suæ, et iniquus benedicitur.

Original

Hebrew

English

For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.

Notes

Psalms 10:3

Unlike those who have evil desires, the godly wait for justice (Psalm 10:17).

Psalms 10:2–11

Wicked and oppressive people might succeed, causing harmful effects. Evil can be as dramatic as the psalmist portrays it here, or it could be more subtle.

Psalms 10:1–18

The lament in Psalm 9:13–20 continues in Psalm 10 (see study note on Psalms 9–10). However, the mood shifts from confident statements to anguished questions. The psalmist prays for rescue, trusting that the Lord, as a just king, take care of the needy.

Psalms 9:1–10:18

This hymn celebrates the Lord's rule and triumph over evil. It may also respond to the laments in Psalms 3–7.

Some believe that Psalms 9 and 10 should be read together as one psalm in two parts. This is because Psalm 9 has a title, while Psalm 10 does not.

Despite some missing or inverted letters, the two psalms form an acrostic of the Hebrew alphabet. This means that each line or section begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Other alphabetic acrostics include Psalms 25, 34, 37, 111–112, 119, and 145.

The ancient Greek and Latin translations treat Psalms 9 and 10 as one psalm.

Theme notes and profiles

David The Heart in the Psalms The Poor and Needy in the Psalms

Related verses

Psalm 94:4
They pour out arrogant words; all workers of iniquity boast.
Luke 12:19
Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
Zechariah 11:5–8
…whose buyers slaughter them without remorse. Those who sell them say, ‘Blessed be the LORD, for I am rich!’ Even their own shepherds have no compassion on them.
Micah 6:10–12
Can I forget any longer, O house of the wicked, the treasures of wickedness and the short ephah, which is accursed?
Psalm 49:6
They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches.
Psalm 5:6
You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.
Job 31:24
If I have put my trust in gold or called pure gold my security,
Psalm 35:21
They gape at me and say, “Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen!”
Exodus 15:9
The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’
Psalm 49:11–13
Their graves are their eternal homes—their dwellings for endless generations—even though their lands were their namesakes.
Proverbs 28:4
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.
Deuteronomy 29:19
…because when such a person hears the words of this oath, he invokes a blessing on himself, saying, ‘I will have peace, even though I walk in the stubbornness of my own heart.’ This will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry.

Glossary

Acrostic Boast David Music Persecution Poetry, Biblical Psalms, Book of

Topics

Character of the Wicked: Boastful Covetousness: Abhorred by God Covetousness: Commended by the Wicked Alone Covetousness: General Scriptures Concerning Impenitence: General Scriptures Concerning Pride: General Scriptures Concerning Sin: Repugnant to God Sin: The Wicked: Delight in Those Who Commit

Psalm 10:3

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