Psalms 10:2

The wicked in [his] pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

The wicked {H7563} in his pride {H1346} doth persecute {H1814} the poor {H6041}: let them be taken {H8610} in the devices {H4209} that {H2098} they have imagined {H2803}.

The wicked in their arrogance hunt down the poor, who get caught in the schemes they think up.

In pride the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise.

In the pride of the wicked the poor is hotly pursued; Let them be taken in the devices that they have conceived.

Commentary

Psalm 10:2 vividly describes the oppressive nature of the wicked and calls for divine retribution. This verse is part of a larger psalm lamenting the apparent prosperity of the ungodly and their disregard for God, while the righteous suffer.

Context

Psalm 10 is a heartfelt lament, often attributed to King David, expressing deep distress over the apparent triumph of the wicked and their open defiance of God. This psalm, particularly verses like Psalm 10:4, highlights the arrogance of those who believe God does not see or care. Verse 2 sets the stage by immediately identifying the core problem: the persecution of the vulnerable driven by pride.

Key Themes

This verse encapsulates several crucial themes:

  • Pride and Arrogance: The primary motivator for the wicked's actions is their overwhelming pride. This self-exaltation leads them to believe they are above accountability, either human or divine. This hubris often precedes a fall, as highlighted in Proverbs 16:18.
  • Oppression of the Vulnerable: The KJV uses "the poor" (Hebrew: ‘aniy), signifying not just those lacking material wealth, but also the afflicted, humble, or oppressed. The wicked specifically target those who are defenseless and cannot easily retaliate, exploiting their vulnerability.
  • Divine Retribution and Poetic Justice: The second part of the verse, "let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined," is an imprecatory plea for God to intervene. It expresses a desire for poetic justice, where the wicked's own schemes and evil intentions become the very means of their downfall. This principle is echoed in other psalms, such as Psalm 7:15, where the wicked fall into the pit they dug.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "poor" is ‘aniy (עָנִי), which conveys a deeper meaning than mere financial destitution. It often refers to the afflicted, the humble, the oppressed, or the meek. This highlights the vulnerability of those targeted by the wicked. The phrase "devices that they have imagined" comes from the Hebrew root ḥāshab (חָשַׁב), meaning to think, devise, or plan. The "devices" (or schemes) are their evil plots, and the prayer is that these very plans would ensnare them.

Practical Application

Psalm 10:2 remains powerfully relevant today:

  • Recognition of Injustice: The verse reminds us that pride-fueled oppression of the vulnerable is a perennial problem in society. It encourages us to recognize and condemn such actions.
  • Trust in Divine Justice: When faced with overwhelming injustice, this verse offers a foundational hope that God sees, hears, and will ultimately act. While we may not always see immediate retribution, the psalmist's prayer affirms belief in God's ultimate justice, as also seen in Romans 12:19, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
  • Call to Action: For believers, understanding this verse should also inspire a commitment to advocate for the oppressed and to stand against injustice, aligning with God's heart for the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:8-9).

Ultimately, Psalm 10:2 is both a lament over present evil and a confident declaration of faith in a just God who will bring the wicked's schemes to naught.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 59:12 (15 votes)

    [For] the sin of their mouth [and] the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying [which] they speak.

  • Psalms 36:11 (11 votes)

    Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.

  • Psalms 7:16 (11 votes)

    His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

  • Proverbs 5:22 (9 votes)

    His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

  • Psalms 31:18 (7 votes)

    Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

  • Psalms 119:122 (7 votes)

    Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

  • Isaiah 10:12 (6 votes)

    Wherefore it shall come to pass, [that] when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.