Psalm 10:9

Translations

Modern

He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net.

Traditional

He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

Literal

He lies in wait in the hidden place, like a lion in his lair; he lies in wait to catch the afflicted one; he catches the afflicted one by drawing him into his net.

Latin

Oculi ejus in pauperem respiciunt; insidiatur in abscondito, quasi leo in spelunca sua. Insidiatur ut rapiat pauperem; rapere pauperem dum attrahit eum.

Original

Hebrew

English

He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net.

Notes

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 Poor and Needy in the Psalms

Related verses

Psalm 17:12
…like a lion greedy for prey, like a young lion lurking in ambush.
Psalm 59:3
See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.
Micah 7:2
The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net.
Psalm 35:10
All my bones will exclaim, “Who is like You, O LORD, who delivers the afflicted from the aggressor, the poor and needy from the robber?”
John 10:12
The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock.
Amos 2:6–7
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Israel, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals.
Isaiah 3:15
Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.
Lamentations 3:10
He is a bear lying in wait, a lion hiding in ambush.
Proverbs 22:16
Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.
Job 5:15–16
He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth and from the clutches of the powerful.
Psalm 12:5
“For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will bring safety to him who yearns.”
Proverbs 28:15
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

Glossary

Acrostic David Lion of the Tribe of Judah Music Pavilion Persecution Poetry, Biblical Psalms, Book of

Topics

Lion: Instincts of, in Taking Prey Malice: General Scriptures Concerning Murder: The Wicked: Lie in Wait to Commit Net: Figurative The Lion: Lurks for Its Prey Wicked (People): Described

Psalm 10:9

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Related verses?

Glossary?

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