Psalms 10:3

For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, [whom] the LORD abhorreth.

For the wicked {H7563} boasteth {H1984} of his heart's {H5315} desire {H8378}, and blesseth {H1288} the covetous {H1214}, whom the LORD {H3068} abhorreth {H5006}.

For the wicked boasts about his lusts; he blesses greed and despises ADONAI.

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

For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, And the covetous renounceth, yea, contemneth Jehovah.

Commentary

Context

Psalm 10 is a fervent lament, a cry from the psalmist to God concerning the apparent prosperity and arrogance of the wicked, and the suffering of the righteous. The psalm begins with a question about God's seeming distance (Psalm 10:1), then proceeds to describe the character and actions of the ungodly. Verse 3 specifically details the brazen nature of the wicked, highlighting their self-centered desires and their approval of practices God detests, setting the stage for the psalmist's plea for divine intervention.

Key Themes

  • Arrogance and Self-Glorification: The wicked openly boast of their own desires and schemes, exhibiting no shame or remorse for their ungodly pursuits. Their "heart's desire" often involves selfish gain, power, or oppression.
  • Moral Inversion: They "bless" or approve of the covetous, those who are greedy and grasp for more without regard for justice or others. This demonstrates a complete reversal of divine values, where sin is celebrated rather than condemned.
  • God's Abhorrence of Sin: The phrase "whom the LORD abhorreth" unequivocally states God's strong disapproval and utter detestation of covetousness and the unrighteous lifestyle it represents. This highlights God's holiness and justice in contrast to human depravity.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "boasteth of his heart's desire" comes from the Hebrew `halal` (to boast, praise) and `nephesh` (soul, desire). It paints a picture of the wicked celebrating their own sinful inclinations and selfish appetites. The word "blesseth" (Hebrew `barak`) typically means to praise or invoke good, but in certain contexts, especially when associated with the wicked and their opposition to God, it can carry an ironic or even antithetical meaning. However, in the KJV's rendering, it most directly means the wicked commend or approve of the "covetous" (Hebrew `botsēa'`, meaning greedy or ruthless gainers). The term "abhorreth" (Hebrew `na'ats`) is a strong verb indicating scorn, disdain, or rejection, emphasizing God's profound detestation for such ungodly behavior and those who practice it.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers to examine their own hearts and alliances. Do we ever find ourselves admiring or condoning those who gain through ungodly means, or who prioritize selfish desires above God's will? It calls us to:

  • Cultivate Moral Clarity: Understand and internalize what God truly values and what He abhors, aligning our own desires with His.
  • Resist Worldly Values: Be cautious not to be swayed by a culture that often praises wealth and success regardless of its ethical or spiritual origins. As Jesus warned, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness".
  • Trust in God's Justice: Even when the wicked appear to prosper and celebrate their ungodliness, God's ultimate judgment and abhorrence of sin remain firm. The psalmist's plea in this chapter ultimately appeals to this divine justice, reminding us that "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."
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Cross-References

  • Psalms 94:4 (8 votes)

    [How long] shall they utter [and] speak hard things? [and] all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?

  • Luke 12:19 (6 votes)

    And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry.

  • Zechariah 11:5 (5 votes)

    Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed [be] the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not.

  • Zechariah 11:8 (5 votes)

    Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.

  • Micah 6:10 (4 votes)

    Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure [that is] abominable?

  • Micah 6:12 (4 votes)

    For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue [is] deceitful in their mouth.

  • Deuteronomy 29:19 (3 votes)

    And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: