Psalms 10:6
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
He says to himself, “I will not be moved; from age to age I am free of distress.”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Then in his boundless carnal security he gives free course to his wicked tongue. That which the believer can say by reason of his fellowship with God, בּל־אמּוט (Psa 30:7; Psa 16:8), is said by him in godless self-confidence. He looks upon himself in age after age, i.e., in the endless future, as אשׁר לא ברע, i.e., as one who (אשׁר as in Isa 8:20) will never be in evil case (ברע as in Exo 5:19; Sa2 16:8). It might perhaps also be interpreted according to Zac 8:20, Zac 8:23 (vid., Kצhler, in loc.): in all time to come (it will come to pass) that I am not in misfortune. But then the personal pronoun (אני or הוּא) ought not be omitted; whereas with our interpretation it is supplied from אמּוט, and there is no need to supply anything if the clause is taken as an apposition: in all time to come he who.... In connection with such unbounded self-confidence his mouth is full of אלה, cursing, execratio (not perjury, perjurium, a meaning the word never has), מרמות, deceit and craft of every kind, and תּך, oppression, violence. And that which he has under his tongue, and consequently always in readiness for being put forth (Psa 140:4, cf. Psa 66:17), is trouble for others, and in itself matured wickedness. Paul has made use of this Psa 10:7 in his contemplative description of the corruptness of mankind, Rom 3:14.
Open source ↗The Septuagint translation joins this psalm with the ninth, and makes them but one; but the Hebrew makes it a distinct psalm, and the scope and style are certainly different. In this psalm, I. David complains of the wickedness of the wicked, describes the dreadful pitch of impiety at which they had arrived (to the great dishonour of God and the prejudice of his church and people), and notices the delay of God's appearing against them (Psa 10:1-11). II. He prays to God to appear against them for the relief of his people and comforts himself with hopes that he would do so in due time (Psa 10:12-18).
Open source ↗10:6-7 Despite their evil ways (5:9; 28:3; Rom 3:14), the wicked expect a future free of trouble such as the righteous will enjoy.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
“Come, let me get the wine, let us imbibe the strong drink, and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!”
But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’
When the sentence for a crime is not speedily executed, the hearts of men become fully set on doing evil.
While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain!
As much as she has glorified herself and lived in luxury, give her the same measure of torment and grief. In her heart she says, ‘I sit as queen; I am not a widow and will never see grief.’
who lends his money without interest and refuses a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good.
For they will be entangled as with thorns and consumed like the drink of a drunkard— like stubble that is fully dry.
You said, ‘I will be queen forever.’ You did not take these things to heart or consider their outcome.