His ways are always grievous; thy judgments [are] far above out of his sight: [as for] all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
His ways {H1870} are always {H6256} grievous {H2342}; thy judgments {H4941} are far above {H4791} out of his sight: as for all his enemies {H6887}, he puffeth {H6315} at them.
His ways prosper at all times. Your judgments are way up there, so he takes no notice. His adversaries? He scoffs at them all.
He is secure in his ways at all times; Your lofty judgments are far from him; he sneers at all his foes.
His ways are firm at all times; Thy judgments are far above out of his sight: As for all his adversaries, he puffeth at them.
-
Isaiah 26:11
LORD, [when] thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: [but] they shall see, and be ashamed for [their] envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them. -
Psalms 12:5
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set [him] in safety [from him that] puffeth at him. -
Psalms 92:5
O LORD, how great are thy works! [and] thy thoughts are very deep. -
Psalms 92:6
A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this. -
Isaiah 42:25
Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid [it] not to heart. -
Proverbs 2:15
Whose ways [are] crooked, and [they] froward in their paths: -
2 Samuel 5:6
¶ And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.
Context of Psalms 10:5
Psalm 10 is a heartfelt lament, with the psalmist crying out to God concerning the rampant wickedness and oppression in society. It describes the character of the wicked man, who thrives in his evil deeds, seemingly unchecked. Verse 5 specifically paints a vivid picture of this individual's mindset: his actions, his perception of divine justice, and his attitude towards those who stand in his way or are perceived as weak. The preceding verses in Psalm 10 often describe the wicked's boastfulness and his utter disregard for God, as seen in Psalm 10:4, where he thinks, "There is no God."
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The KJV renders the first part as "His ways are always grievous." The Hebrew word for "grievous" here is chilu (חִילוּ), which can mean painful, oppressive, or evil. It suggests that the path the wicked chooses is one that causes distress and harm to others, yet in his own mind, it is a path of success and unhindered progress. The term "puffeth" (Hebrew: yaphiach) is particularly evocative, conveying not just dismissal but active scorn and contempt, as if blowing away an insignificant obstacle.
Practical Application and Reflection
Psalms 10:5 serves as both a warning and a comfort. It warns against the insidious nature of spiritual arrogance, where one becomes so consumed by self-interest and a disregard for God that they believe themselves exempt from moral accountability. This verse reminds us that true prosperity is not found in exploiting others or ignoring God's commands, but in walking in righteousness and humility.
For those who feel oppressed or overlooked by the wicked, this verse, within the broader context of Psalm 10, offers comfort. Though the wicked may seem to triumph and God's judgments appear "far above out of his sight," the psalmist's plea for divine intervention ultimately affirms faith in God's eventual justice. God's judgment is not absent; it is simply not perceived by those who refuse to acknowledge Him. Ultimately, God reveals Himself through His judgments, and the wicked will not escape their due.