Psalms 112:10

Commentary on Psalms 112:10 KJV

Psalms 112:10 concludes a psalm that beautifully describes the blessedness and prosperity of the righteous person who fears the Lord and delights in His commandments. After outlining the virtues and rewards of such an individual (Psalms 112:1-9), this verse starkly contrasts their flourishing state with the ultimate fate of the wicked. It serves as a powerful declaration of divine justice and the ultimate vindication of those who live according to God's ways.

Historical and Cultural Context

Psalm 112 is often considered a wisdom psalm, mirroring the themes found in Psalm 1. It belongs to a collection of psalms (111-118) known as the "Egyptian Hallel," traditionally sung during major Jewish festivals like Passover. While Psalm 111 praises God's great works, Psalm 112 focuses on the character and blessings of the righteous individual who imitates God's attributes of generosity and justice. This verse provides a concluding thought, assuring the righteous that their perseverance will be rewarded by witnessing the downfall of their adversaries, a common theme in ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature that emphasized cosmic order and moral retribution.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Justice and Retribution: The verse emphatically declares that the wicked will face severe consequences for their actions. Their frustration, anger, and eventual destruction are presented as inevitable outcomes of God's righteous judgment.
• Contrast Between Righteous and Wicked: It highlights the stark difference in destinies. While the righteous are established and honored, the wicked are consumed by their own malice and ultimately perish. This reinforces the biblical principle found in passages like Psalm 1:6, which states that "the way of the ungodly shall perish."
• Frustration and Despair of the Wicked: The imagery vividly portrays the wicked's emotional torment – grief, gnashing of teeth, and melting away – indicating extreme anguish, envy, and impotent rage at the success of the righteous and their own failure.
• Vindication of the Righteous: The phrase "The wicked shall see [it]" implies that the righteous will witness God's justice unfold, bringing them peace and reaffirming their trust in God's sovereignty.

Linguistic Insights

• "gnash with his teeth": The Hebrew phrase for "gnash with his teeth" (חרק שיניים - ḥaraq shinnayim) is a powerful idiom expressing intense anger, frustration, and despair. It signifies a profound inner torment, often associated with rage and helplessness. This imagery is notably echoed in the New Testament to describe the anguish of those in eternal punishment, as seen in Matthew 13:42.
• "melt away": The Hebrew word masah (מסס) means "to melt," "dissolve," or "waste away." It conveys a sense of spiritual and physical dissolution, implying that the wicked's strength, influence, and very being will diminish into nothingness. It signifies a complete and utter collapse.
• "the desire of the wicked shall perish": The Hebrew ta'avath resha'im to'ved (תאות רשעים תאבד) clearly states that their hopes, ambitions, and evil schemes will utterly fail and come to naught. All their designs and cravings for power, wealth, or harm against the righteous will ultimately be thwarted and annihilated, a concept also reinforced in Proverbs 10:28.

Practical Application

Psalms 112:10 offers profound comfort and a sobering warning. For the righteous, it provides assurance that their faithfulness is not in vain; God sees their uprightness and will ultimately bring justice. It encourages perseverance in good deeds, even when faced with opposition or the apparent prosperity of the wicked. For those who choose a path contrary to God's will, the verse serves as a stark reminder of the inevitable consequences of unrighteousness. It calls for introspection and repentance, emphasizing that true and lasting fulfillment comes only through fearing the Lord and walking in His ways, for "the desire of the wicked shall perish."