Psalms 26:10

In whose hands [is] mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.

In whose hands {H3027} is mischief {H2154}, and their right hand {H3225} is full {H4390} of bribes {H7810}.

In their hands are evil schemes; their right hands are full of bribes.

in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.

In whose hands is wickedness, And their right hand is full of bribes.

Psalms 26:10 vividly describes the moral depravity of those from whom King David sought to distance himself. It paints a picture of individuals whose actions are inherently corrupt and driven by illicit gain, providing a stark contrast to the psalmist's plea for integrity and purity before God.

Context

Psalm 26 is a prayer of King David, a psalm of self-vindication and a passionate appeal to God for judgment based on his own righteousness. Throughout the psalm, David asserts his blamelessness and integrity, asking God to examine his heart and motives. Verses 9 and 10 specifically highlight the wicked individuals David seeks to avoid and not be associated with. He prays, "Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men" (Psalms 26:9), immediately followed by this description of their corrupt nature. This verse underscores David's desire to walk with God in purity and to separate himself from those who practice evil, echoing sentiments found earlier in the psalm where he declares, "I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers" (Psalms 26:4).

Key Themes

  • Corruption and Injustice: The verse directly addresses the issue of corruption, particularly through the imagery of hands "full of bribes." This indicates a systemic use of power and influence for personal, dishonest gain, leading to perverted justice and unfair dealings.
  • Moral Depravity: "Mischief" points to an inherent wickedness, a tendency towards evil deeds, and malicious intent. It suggests that their actions are not merely accidental but stem from a corrupt heart.
  • Contrast between Righteous and Wicked: By describing the wicked in such stark terms, David emphasizes his own desire for a life of integrity, drawing a clear line between his conduct and theirs. This theme is central to many psalms and wisdom literature, highlighting the paths of the righteous versus the ungodly.
  • Divine Justice: Though not explicitly stated in this verse, the context of David's prayer implies a reliance on God's ultimate justice to distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, and to deal with each according to their deeds.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse provide deeper insight:

  • "Mischief": The Hebrew word is zimmah (זִמָּה), which often denotes a wicked plan, depravity, or lewdness. It carries a strong connotation of premeditated evil, malicious intent, or a morally corrupt scheme. It's not just a mistake, but a deliberate act of wickedness.
  • "Right hand is full of bribes": The "right hand" (Hebrew: yamin, יָמִין) often symbolizes power, action, and authority. To say it is "full of bribes" (Hebrew: shochad, שֹׁחַד) means that their very actions, their means of influence, and their exercise of power are tainted by illicit payments and dishonest dealings. The term shochad specifically refers to a gift or payment given to corrupt judgment or sway a decision, a practice strictly forbidden in the Mosaic Law (e.g., Exodus 23:8).

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 26:10 serves as a powerful reminder:

  • A Call to Integrity: It challenges us to live lives of honesty and integrity, resisting the temptation of dishonest gain or corruption, whether in personal or public life. Our actions should be free from the stain of bribery and deceit.
  • Discerning Associations: Like David, believers are called to be discerning about their associations. While we are to love all people, we are cautioned against aligning ourselves with those whose character is marked by deliberate wickedness and corruption, lest their influence lead us astray (1 Corinthians 15:33).
  • Trust in God's Justice: When faced with injustice or corruption in the world, this verse encourages us to place our trust in God's ultimate justice. He sees the deeds of the wicked and will, in His time, bring all things to light.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 16:19

    Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

  • 1 Samuel 8:3

    And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

  • Exodus 23:8

    And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.

  • Psalms 52:2

    Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

  • Psalms 10:14

    Thou hast seen [it]; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite [it] with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.

  • Matthew 26:3

    Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

  • Matthew 26:4

    And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill [him].

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