Psalms 140:10

KJV

Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let burning coals {H1513} fall {H4131}{H4131} upon them: let them be cast {H5307} into the fire {H784}; into deep pits {H4113}, that they rise not up again {H6965}.

Complete Jewish Bible

May burning coals rain down on them, may they be flung into the fire, flung into deep pits, never to rise again.

Berean Standard Bible

May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits, never to rise again.

American Standard Version

Let burning coals fall upon them: Let them be cast into the fire, Into deep pits, whence they shall not rise.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 140:10, a potent and vivid verse from David's prayer of lament, expresses a fervent petition for divine judgment against his oppressive enemies. Through striking imagery of "burning coals," "fire," and "deep pits," the psalmist articulates a desire for the complete, inescapable, and permanent downfall of those who plot evil and seek to harm the righteous. This verse encapsulates a deep conviction in God's ultimate justice and His sovereign power to decisively defeat wickedness, ensuring the vindication of His faithful servants.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 140 is categorized as a psalm of lament, specifically an individual lament, where the psalmist (David) cries out to God for deliverance from malicious adversaries. The psalm opens with an urgent plea for rescue from "evil men" and "violent men" who devise mischief and sharpen their tongues like serpents, laying snares for his feet ([Psalm 140:1-5](/psalms/140-1 "Psalm 140:1-5 - David's Plea for Deliverance")). Throughout the psalm, David describes the constant threat and insidious nature of his enemies' plots. Verse 10, therefore, is not an isolated outburst of personal revenge but a climactic petition within a larger prayer for God's righteous intervention and justice. It belongs to a subset of psalms known as imprecatory psalms, where the psalmist calls upon God to execute judgment upon the wicked, reflecting a profound trust in God's role as the ultimate judge and vindicator.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life was frequently marked by intense persecution, whether from King Saul, rebellious factions, or foreign adversaries. This psalm likely reflects a period of acute danger and distress, where David felt surrounded by those who sought his ruin. In ancient Israelite society, justice was often understood as a divine prerogative, with God acting as the supreme judge who would ultimately right all wrongs. The imagery of "fire" and "pits" resonated deeply within a culture familiar with divine judgment narratives (e.g., Sodom and Gomorrah in [Genesis 19](/genesis/19 "Genesis 19 - Sodom and Gomorrah's Destruction")) and the dangers of literal traps and snares. The psalmist's plea for God to act was a common and accepted form of prayer, especially for those in positions of leadership (like a king) who were responsible for upholding justice and protecting the innocent, but found themselves powerless against overwhelming evil.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, underscoring the conviction that God is not indifferent to evil but will ultimately bring the unrighteous to account. The imagery of consuming fire and inescapable pits points to the severity and finality of God's righteous wrath against persistent wickedness. Secondly, it exemplifies **Imprecatory Prayer**, a form of prayer where the psalmist calls upon God to execute judgment on his enemies. These prayers are rooted in a deep belief in God's sovereignty and His exclusive right to vengeance, as articulated in passages like [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine"). They serve as an outlet for righteous indignation, entrusting the outcome entirely to God rather than resorting to personal retaliation. Thirdly, the verse vividly portrays the **Consequences of Wickedness**, emphasizing the utter and irreversible defeat awaiting those who persist in malicious evil. The desire that they "rise not up again" signifies a longing for their permanent incapacitation and removal as a threat, ensuring they can no longer cause harm or undermine God's purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **coals (Hebrew, _gechel'_):** From an unused root meaning to glow or kindle, this word refers to an ember or burning coal. In biblical contexts, burning coals often symbolize intense heat, purification, or divine judgment and destruction. Their falling upon someone signifies a direct, consuming, and painful judgment, often associated with God's wrath or righteous indignation.
* **deep pits (Hebrew, _mahămôrâh'_):** From an unused root of uncertain meaning, this term suggests an abyss or a place of inescapable ruin. It conveys the idea of a treacherous, inescapable trap or a deadly chasm from which there is no escape or recovery. This imagery reinforces the idea of complete and permanent downfall, a final incapacitation from which the wicked cannot emerge to continue their harmful deeds.
* **rise not up again (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** This primitive root means "to rise" in various applications, including literal standing, establishing, enduring, or being restored. The negative construction, "rise not up again," signifies a desire for the complete and permanent cessation of the enemies' power, influence, and ability to cause harm. It implies an irreversible defeat, a state of utter and final incapacitation, ensuring they can no longer pose a threat to the righteous or God's purposes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let burning coals fall upon them:"** This clause is a direct imprecation, a prayer for a specific form of divine judgment. "Burning coals" represent a fierce, consuming, and destructive force, often associated with God's purifying wrath. The act of them "falling upon" the enemies signifies a direct, overwhelming, and inescapable divine assault.
* **"let them be cast into the fire;"** This further intensifies the imagery of judgment, moving from scattered coals to being completely engulfed in "fire." Fire in Scripture often symbolizes divine judgment, testing, and destruction of evil. Being "cast into" it implies a deliberate act of God's judgment, leading to complete annihilation or purification.
* **"into deep pits,"** This phrase introduces another layer of destructive imagery, suggesting an inescapable abyss or a deadly trap. The "deep pits" represent a place of no return, a final and permanent confinement. It emphasizes the desire for the enemies' total incapacitation and removal from any position where they could continue their malicious activities.
* **"that they rise not up again."** This concluding clause articulates the ultimate desired outcome of the judgment: the complete and irreversible defeat of the enemies. It is a plea for their permanent incapacitation, ensuring they can no longer threaten the psalmist or undermine God's righteous order. This signifies a desire for finality and an end to their destructive influence.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 140:10 is rich in **Imagery**, employing vivid and concrete pictures of destruction to convey the psalmist's fervent desire for divine judgment. "Burning coals," "fire," and "deep pits" are powerful visual metaphors that evoke a sense of overwhelming, inescapable, and consuming ruin. The progression from coals to fire, and then to deep pits, suggests an intensifying and comprehensive process of destruction. The phrase "that they rise not up again" serves as a form of **Hyperbole**, expressing an absolute and final end to the enemies' power, underscoring the psalmist's deep-seated longing for permanent relief from their oppression. The entire verse functions as an **Imprecation**, a specific type of prayer or literary form within the Psalms where the speaker calls upon God to bring judgment upon their adversaries, reflecting a profound trust in God's righteousness and His role as the ultimate arbiter of justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 140:10, while stark in its language, reflects a profound theological conviction in God's active involvement in human affairs, particularly His commitment to justice and His ultimate triumph over evil. It underscores the belief that God is not merely a passive observer but a righteous judge who will eventually bring the unrighteous to account. The psalmist's plea is not born of personal vindictiveness but from a desire to see God's righteous order upheld and His people delivered from malicious oppression. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative where God is consistently portrayed as the one who defends the innocent, avenges the wronged, and will ultimately purge all wickedness from His creation. The severity of the imagery highlights the gravity of sin and the certainty of divine retribution for those who persistently oppose God and His purposes.

* [Psalm 69:28](/psalms/69-28 "Psalm 69:28 - Let them be blotted out of the book of the living")
* [Psalm 109:6-20](/psalms/109-6 "Psalm 109:6-20 - Prayer for Judgment on the Wicked")
* [Revelation 14:10](/revelation/14-10 "Revelation 14:10 - The Winepress of God's Wrath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the language of Psalm 140:10 can be challenging for modern readers, it offers profound insights for believers today. Firstly, it provides a biblical precedent for expressing raw, intense emotions—including pain, anger, and a desperate longing for justice—directly to God. It reminds us that our prayers do not need to be sanitized; God can handle the full spectrum of human experience. Secondly, it reinforces the crucial truth that vengeance belongs to God alone ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine")). When faced with injustice, persecution, or the insidious schemes of those who seek harm, our primary recourse is to appeal to God, entrusting Him with the ultimate resolution. This frees us from the burden of personal retaliation and allows us to rest in God's perfect timing and righteous judgment. Finally, for those suffering under oppression, this psalm offers a powerful message of hope: the wicked will not ultimately triumph. There is a sure hope in God's eventual intervention and the final defeat of evil, ensuring that His justice will prevail and His people will be vindicated.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the context of imprecatory psalms change your perception of verses like Psalm 140:10?**
* **In what situations might you be tempted to seek personal revenge, and how does this psalm redirect your focus to God's justice?**
* **How can expressing raw emotions and desires for justice to God in prayer be a spiritually healthy practice?**
* **What hope does the ultimate defeat of evil, as depicted in this verse, offer to those who are currently oppressed or suffering injustice?**

### FAQ

**What is an "imprecatory psalm," and why are they in the Bible?**

Answer: An imprecatory psalm is a type of psalm where the psalmist calls upon God to bring judgment, curses, or destruction upon his enemies. They are in the Bible not as a license for personal vengeance, but as honest expressions of righteous indignation and a deep conviction in God's justice. They serve as prayers that entrust the administration of justice to God alone, acknowledging His sovereignty and His role as the ultimate judge who will eventually right all wrongs and defeat evil ([Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine")). They also provide an outlet for the raw emotions of suffering and oppression, demonstrating that all human feelings, even anger and a desire for justice, can be brought before God.

**How do Christians reconcile the harsh language of Psalm 140:10 with New Testament commands to love enemies?**

Answer: Reconciling these passages requires understanding their different contexts and purposes. Old Testament imprecations often reflect a cry for God's justice against those who actively oppose God's people and His purposes, representing a desire for God's kingdom to prevail. The New Testament command to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")) is a call to personal, relational ethics for individual believers. Christians are called to extend grace and forgiveness, leaving ultimate judgment and vengeance to God ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine")). The imprecatory psalms, therefore, teach us to trust God with vengeance, not to take it ourselves, while the New Testament teaches us how to live in light of God's coming judgment by extending love and forgiveness in the present.

**Is it appropriate for believers to pray imprecatory prayers today?**

Answer: While direct imprecations like those in Psalm 140:10 are less common in Christian prayer, the underlying principles remain relevant. Believers can and should pray for God's justice to prevail in the world, for evil to be defeated, and for those who perpetuate injustice to be brought to account. This is distinct from praying for personal revenge. We can pray for God to restrain evil, to dismantle oppressive systems, and for the ultimate triumph of His kingdom. Such prayers align with the Lord's Prayer, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" ([Matthew 6:10](/matthew/6-10 "Matthew 6:10 - The Lord's Prayer")). The focus shifts from the personal destruction of an individual to the systemic defeat of evil and the vindication of God's righteousness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 140:10, with its fervent cry for divine judgment against the wicked, finds its ultimate and comprehensive fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist longed for the visible and immediate downfall of his enemies, the New Testament reveals that God’s ultimate judgment is reserved for the end of the age, executed through His Son. Jesus, the righteous King, will return not only as Savior but also as Judge, bringing to completion the justice that the psalmist so desperately desired. The "burning coals" and "fire" foreshadow the consuming wrath that will be poured out on all unrighteousness, as described in passages concerning the day of the Lord ([2 Thessalonians 1:7-9](/2_thessalonians/1-7 "2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 - Vengeance on Those Who Do Not Know God")). The "deep pits" and the assurance that the wicked "rise not up again" point to the final, irreversible defeat of Satan, sin, and all who reject God's gracious offer of salvation, culminating in their eternal separation from God's presence ([Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - The Devil Cast into the Lake of Fire") and [Revelation 20:14-15](/revelation/20-14 "Revelation 20:14-15 - The Second Death")). Thus, David's prayer is not merely a historical plea but a prophetic anticipation of Christ's ultimate victory, where all evil will be decisively and eternally vanquished, and God's perfect justice will be fully established in His everlasting kingdom.

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 11:6

Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: [this shall be] the portion of their cup.

Psalms 21:9

Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.

Revelation 20:15

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:8

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Proverbs 28:17

¶ A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

Exodus 9:23

And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.

Exodus 9:24

So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.