Psalms 112:10

KJV

The wicked shall see [it], and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

KJV (with Strong's)

The wicked {H7563} shall see {H7200} it, and be grieved {H3707}; he shall gnash {H2786} with his teeth {H8127}, and melt away {H4549}: the desire {H8378} of the wicked {H7563} shall perish {H6}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The wicked will be angry when they see this; they will gnash their teeth and waste away, the desires of the wicked will come to nothing.

Berean Standard Bible

The wicked man will see and be grieved; he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the desires of the wicked will perish.

American Standard Version

The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: The desire of the wicked shall perish.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 112:10 provides a stark and powerful conclusion to a wisdom psalm celebrating the blessedness of the righteous, contrasting their flourishing with the inevitable and agonizing downfall of the wicked. This verse vividly declares that the ungodly will witness the prosperity of the upright with profound grief, impotent rage, and despair, ultimately experiencing the complete dissolution of their malicious desires and schemes. It serves as a definitive testament to divine justice, assuring the faithful of God's ultimate vindication and the certain failure of all that opposes His righteous order.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 112 functions as a didactic wisdom psalm, intricately linked to Psalm 111, with which it forms a thematic and structural pair. While [Psalm 111](/psalms/111 "Psalm 111 - The Great Works of the Lord") extols the magnificent works and righteous character of Yahweh, [Psalm 112](/psalms/112 "Psalm 112 - The Blessedness of the Righteous") delineates the character and abundant blessings of the person who reveres the Lord and delights in His commandments, thereby presenting a human reflection of divine attributes. The psalm systematically outlines the virtues and rewards of the righteous (from [Psalms 112:1](/psalms/112-1 "Psalm 112:1 - Blessed is the Man Who Fears the Lord") through [Psalms 112:9](/psalms/112-9 "Psalm 112:9 - His Horn Shall Be Exalted")), building to this concluding verse. [Psalms 112:10](/psalms/112-10 "Psalm 112:10 - The Despair of the Wicked") serves as the dramatic and definitive antithesis, solidifying the psalm's profound message of moral retribution and cosmic order by contrasting the enduring legacy of the righteous with the utter demise of the wicked.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Psalm 112 is a component of the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 111-118), a collection of psalms traditionally recited or sung during major Jewish festivals such as Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. This liturgical setting highlights its significance in communal worship and instruction, reinforcing fundamental theological truths concerning God's justice and the inevitable consequences of human conduct. Within the broader ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, there was a pervasive emphasis on cosmic order and the principle of retribution, where righteous living was understood to lead to blessing and wickedness to ruin. This psalm, therefore, resonates deeply with the cultural understanding of cause and effect in the moral universe, offering profound assurance to those who align themselves with divine wisdom and live in accordance with God's commands.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes present throughout the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. It emphatically underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, declaring that the wicked will face severe consequences for their actions, thereby showcasing God's unwavering commitment to righteousness. It vividly highlights the **Stark Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked**, a foundational biblical principle, by depicting their vastly different destinies—the righteous are established and honored, while the wicked are consumed by their own malice and ultimately perish. This reinforces the truth found in [Psalm 1:6](/psalms/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The Way of the Ungodly Shall Perish"), which states that "the way of the ungodly shall perish." Furthermore, the imagery powerfully portrays the **Frustration and Despair of the Wicked**, indicating their extreme anguish, envy, and impotent rage at the success of the righteous and their own inevitable failure. Finally, the verse implies the **Vindication of the Righteous**, as they will witness God's justice unfold, bringing them peace and reaffirming their trust in God's sovereignty, echoing the ultimate triumph of God's people over their adversaries, a theme seen in passages like [Psalm 37:34](/psalms/37-34 "Psalm 37:34 - Wait for the Lord and Keep His Way").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gnash (Hebrew, _châraq'_):** The Hebrew verb חָרַק (_châraq_, H2786) means "to grate the teeth" or "to gnash." When combined with "teeth" (שֵׁן, _shên_, H8127), it forms a powerful idiom expressing intense anger, frustration, despair, and impotent rage. It signifies a profound inner torment and a violent, involuntary physical reaction to overwhelming anguish, often associated with envy and helplessness in the face of another's success. This imagery is notably echoed in the New Testament to describe the anguish of those in eternal punishment and judgment.
* **Melt away (Hebrew, _mâçaç'_):** The Hebrew verb מָסַס (_mâçaç_, H4549) means "to liquefy," "to waste (with disease)," or "to faint (with fatigue, fear or grief)." It conveys a sense of spiritual, emotional, and even physical dissolution. In this context, it implies that the wicked's strength, influence, resolve, and very being will diminish into nothingness. Their plans and power will dissipate, signifying a complete and utter collapse of their endeavors and their person, as if they are dissolving into oblivion.
* **Desire (Hebrew, _taʼăvâh'_):** The Hebrew noun תַּאֲוָה (_taʼăvâh_, H8378) refers to "a longing," "a delight," or "a craving." While it can be neutral, in the context of the wicked, it often carries negative connotations, referring to their evil schemes, ambitions, and cravings for power, wealth, or harm against the righteous. The declaration that their "desire shall perish" means that all their hopes, plans, and malevolent aspirations will utterly fail, come to naught, and be annihilated, leaving them with nothing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The wicked shall see [it], and be grieved":** This opening clause establishes the perspective of the wicked. The pronoun "it" refers to the blessedness, prosperity, and flourishing of the righteous, described throughout the preceding verses of [Psalm 112](/psalms/112 "Psalm 112 - The Blessedness of the Righteous"). The wicked will not only observe the security and success of the upright but will be deeply "grieved" (כָּעַס, _kaʻaç_, H3707, meaning "vexed," "angered," "distressed"). This grief is not sorrow for their own sin but a bitter vexation and envy at the success of those they oppose, coupled with frustration at their own inability to thwart God's purposes.
* **"he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away":** This vivid imagery intensifies the description of the wicked's torment. To "gnash with his teeth" portrays their intense, impotent rage and despair, a physical manifestation of inner agony and frustration. It signifies their inability to act effectively against the righteous or God's plan, highlighting their utter helplessness. To "melt away" suggests a complete physical and spiritual dissolution, a wasting away of their strength, influence, and very being. Their power, schemes, and even their existence will dissipate into nothingness, symbolizing their ultimate defeat and insignificance.
* **"the desire of the wicked shall perish":** This final clause serves as the definitive pronouncement of their fate. "The desire of the wicked" encompasses all their evil intentions, ambitions, and cravings—their lust for power, their plots against the righteous, their hopes for triumph. The verb "perish" (אָבַד, _ʼâbad_, H6) indicates utter destruction, annihilation, and failure. This is the ultimate antithesis to the enduring legacy and established prosperity of the righteous. All that the wicked strive for, all their malevolent designs, will ultimately come to naught, proving futile and annihilated by God's sovereign justice.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 112:10 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Contrast** is the overarching device, setting the blessed and enduring state of the righteous (detailed in [Psalms 112:1-9](/psalms/112-1-9 "Psalm 112:1-9 - The Virtues and Rewards of the Righteous")) against the miserable and ephemeral end of the wicked. This stark juxtaposition amplifies the consequences of each path. **Imagery** is richly used, particularly in phrases like "gnash with his teeth" and "melt away," which evoke visceral responses and paint a vivid picture of extreme anguish, frustration, and dissolution. These are not merely abstract concepts but concrete, painful experiences that communicate the depth of the wicked's torment. The use of "gnashing of teeth" also serves as powerful **Foreshadowing**, linking this Old Testament depiction of despair to similar imagery used in the New Testament to describe the eternal torment of the unrighteous. The declaration that "the desire of the wicked shall perish" functions as a definitive **Proverbial Statement**, encapsulating a timeless truth about divine justice and the ultimate futility of opposing God's will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 112:10 is a profound theological statement on divine justice, affirming God's active involvement in the moral order of the world. It underscores the biblical principle that while the wicked may seem to prosper for a time, their ultimate end is destruction and futility, whereas the righteous, though they may face trials, are ultimately vindicated and established by God. This verse speaks to the sovereignty of God over human affairs, demonstrating that His purposes for His people will prevail, and all opposition will be brought to nothing. It provides comfort and assurance to those who faithfully walk in God's ways, reminding them that their efforts are not in vain and that God sees and will recompense all things in His perfect timing. The perishing of the wicked's desire is not merely a cessation of their plans but a complete nullification of their very essence of opposition, highlighting God's absolute triumph over evil and the certainty of His kingdom's establishment.

* [Psalm 1:6](/psalms/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The Way of the Ungodly Shall Perish")
* [Proverbs 10:28](/proverbs/10-28 "Proverbs 10:28 - The Hope of the Righteous and the Wicked")
* [Matthew 13:42](/matthew/13-42 "Matthew 13:42 - Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 112:10 offers both profound comfort and a sobering warning, serving as a powerful anchor for our faith in a world that often seems to reward injustice. For the believer, it provides deep assurance that faithfulness to God is never in vain; God sees our uprightness, our generosity, and our trust in Him, and He will ultimately bring about justice and vindication. This verse encourages perseverance in good deeds, even when faced with opposition or the apparent prosperity of the wicked, reminding us that true and lasting fulfillment comes only through fearing the Lord and walking in His ways. It challenges us to examine our own desires: are they aligned with God's will, or do they lean towards the self-serving ambitions that are destined to perish? For those who choose a path contrary to God's will, the verse serves as a stark reminder of the inevitable consequences of unrighteousness, calling for introspection and repentance before their desires, too, come to naught. It prompts us to consider the eternal weight of our choices and to invest our lives in what truly endures.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the contrast between the righteous and the wicked in this psalm challenge my own understanding of prosperity and success in a temporal world?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to trust God more deeply for His justice, even when its manifestation seems delayed or unseen?**
* **What "desires" in my own heart might be contrary to God's will and therefore destined to "perish"? How can I align my desires with His righteous purposes?**
* **How does witnessing the ultimate fate of the wicked, as depicted here, strengthen my resolve to live a life of righteousness, generosity, and unwavering faith in God's sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**What does "The wicked shall see [it]" refer to?**

Answer: "It" refers to the blessedness, prosperity, and enduring legacy of the righteous person described throughout the preceding verses of [Psalm 112](/psalms/112 "Psalm 112 - The Blessedness of the Righteous"). The wicked will witness the flourishing of those who fear the Lord—their established households, their abundant resources, their unwavering confidence, and their lasting righteousness (as detailed in [Psalms 112:2-9](/psalms/112-2-9 "Psalm 112:2-9 - Blessings of the Upright")). This observation is precisely what causes their grief, rage, and ultimate despair, as they realize their own schemes and desires are failing while the righteous are being vindicated by God's hand.

**Does "gnash with his teeth" imply physical torment, or is it symbolic?**

Answer: While "gnashing of teeth" (חרק שיניים, _ḥaraq shinnayim_) is a physical action, in this context, it is primarily symbolic of intense inner torment, bitter frustration, impotent rage, and profound despair. It signifies an agonizing emotional and spiritual state, often born out of envy and the crushing realization of one's own failure in the face of another's success. This vivid imagery is used throughout the Bible, particularly by Jesus in the New Testament, to describe the extreme suffering of those who are cast out from God's presence, as seen in passages like [Matthew 8:12](/matthew/8-12 "Matthew 8:12 - Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth") and [Matthew 13:50](/matthew/13-50 "Matthew 13:50 - The Fiery Furnace"). So, while it depicts a physical manifestation, its deeper meaning conveys a state of utter anguish and helplessness.

**How does "the desire of the wicked shall perish" relate to their actions?**

Answer: "The desire of the wicked" (תאות רשעים, _taʾăwath reshaʾim_) encompasses not just their internal longings but also their evil plans, ambitions, and schemes against God and His people. When the verse states that this desire "shall perish" (תאבד, _toʾved_), it means that all their efforts, all their malicious intentions, and all their hopes for success in their wickedness will utterly fail, come to nothing, and be annihilated. This is a powerful declaration of divine judgment: not only will their character lead to their ruin, but their very objectives will be thwarted, proving futile and ultimately dissolving into oblivion. This contrasts sharply with the lasting legacy and fulfilled hopes of the righteous, whose desires, aligned with God's will, find their ultimate fulfillment in Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 112:10 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "righteous one" described throughout [Psalm 112](/psalms/112 "Psalm 112 - The Blessedness of the Righteous"), whose light shines in the darkness and whose righteousness endures forever, is perfectly embodied in Christ, the only truly righteous man (cf. [1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Jesus Christ the Righteous")). His life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection represent the ultimate triumph of righteousness over all forms of wickedness. The "wicked" who "gnash with their teeth" and "melt away" are ultimately defeated by Christ's decisive victory on the cross, where He disarmed the powers and authorities (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The "desire of the wicked"—Satan's schemes, the world's rebellion, and sin's dominion—was utterly crushed by Christ's resurrection, which inaugurated His eternal reign and secured the victory of God's kingdom. Those who opposed Him, from the religious leaders who condemned Him to the demonic forces that sought to thwart God's plan, ultimately saw their desires perish in the face of His divine authority. In Christ, the promise of divine justice is fully realized, and the ultimate vindication of God's people is secured, as we are made righteous in Him and share in His eternal victory over all evil (cf. [Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - The Lake of Fire") and [Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 58:7

Let them melt away as waters [which] run continually: [when] he bendeth [his bow to shoot] his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.

Psalms 58:8

As a snail [which] melteth, let [every one of them] pass away: [like] the untimely birth of a woman, [that] they may not see the sun.

Luke 13:28

There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you [yourselves] thrust out.

Psalms 86:17

Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see [it], and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

Psalms 37:12

The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

Proverbs 10:28

The hope of the righteous [shall be] gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

Proverbs 11:7

¶ When a wicked man dieth, [his] expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust [men] perisheth.