Psalms 26:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 26:10 offers a stark depiction of the moral depravity of the wicked, from whom King David earnestly sought to distance himself. It portrays individuals whose actions are not only inherently corrupt but are also driven by illicit gain, specifically through bribery. This verse serves as a powerful counterpoint to the psalmist's fervent prayer for divine examination and vindication, highlighting his unwavering commitment to integrity and purity in the sight of God, in deliberate contrast to those whose very hands are instruments of evil and injustice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 26 is a passionate prayer of King David, a psalm of self-vindication and a plea for God's righteous judgment. Throughout the psalm, David asserts his blamelessness and integrity, inviting God to examine his heart and motives. Verses 9 and 10 specifically define 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" in [Psalms 26:9](/psalms/26-9 "Psalms 26:9 - David's Prayer to Not Be Gathered with Sinners"), immediately followed by this vivid 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" in [Psalms 26:4](/psalms/26-4 "Psalms 26:4 - David's Avoidance of Vain Persons"). The entire psalm builds on this contrast between David's integrity and the pervasive corruption he observes.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this psalm is the ancient Near East, likely during David's reign, a period where issues of justice, governance, and moral conduct were paramount. Bribery, as depicted in this verse, was a pervasive problem in ancient legal and administrative systems, leading to the perversion of justice and the oppression of the vulnerable. The "right hand" in ancient cultures often symbolized power, action, and authority, making the imagery of a hand "full of bribes" particularly potent – it signifies that their very means of influence and exercise of power are tainted by illicit payments. The Mosaic Law, given centuries before David, contained explicit prohibitions against bribery, recognizing its destructive impact on society and its affront to divine justice (e.g., [Exodus 23:8](/exodus/23-8 "Exodus 23:8 - Prohibition Against Bribes"); [Deuteronomy 16:19](/deuteronomy/16-19 "Deuteronomy 16:19 - Justice and Bribery")). This verse thus reflects a deep-seated societal problem that a righteous king like David would lament and seek to distance himself from.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes within Psalm 26 and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **Corruption and Injustice**, directly addressing the systemic use of power and influence for personal, dishonest gain, which inevitably leads to perverted justice and unfair dealings. The mention of "mischief" points to **Moral Depravity**, suggesting an inherent wickedness and malicious intent behind the actions of these individuals, indicating that their deeds are not accidental but stem from a corrupt heart. By describing the wicked in such stark terms, David emphasizes the **Contrast between the Righteous and the Wicked**, a central theme in many psalms and wisdom literature, which delineates the divergent paths and destinies of those who follow God versus those who embrace evil. Finally, though not explicitly stated in this verse, the context of David's prayer implies a reliance on **Divine Justice**, trusting that God will ultimately distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, and deal with each according to their deeds, as seen in [Psalms 7:8](/psalms/7-8 "Psalms 7:8 - God Judges the Peoples").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mischief (Hebrew, _zimmah'_):** The Hebrew word זִמָּה (_zimmah_) is a potent term that 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 merely a mistake or an accidental wrongdoing, but a deliberate act of wickedness, often implying a calculated and intentional perversion of justice or morality. This word underscores the deep-seated corruption of the individuals David describes.
* **Bribes (Hebrew, _shochad'_):** The Hebrew word שֹׁחַד (_shochad_) specifically refers to a gift or payment given to corrupt judgment or sway a decision, typically in a legal or official context. It signifies an illicit payment intended to influence a person in a position of power or authority to act dishonestly or unjustly. The presence of _shochad_ indicates a systematic corruption of the justice system and public office, where decisions are bought rather than based on truth or righteousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In whose hands [is] mischief":** This clause vividly portrays the active engagement of the wicked in evil. The "hands" symbolize agency, action, and the means by which one operates in the world. To say mischief is "in their hands" implies that their very actions, their daily dealings, and their chosen methods are inherently tainted by evil intent and corrupt practices. It suggests a deliberate and pervasive involvement in wickedness, rather than a casual or accidental encounter with it.
* **"and their right hand is full of bribes":** This second clause specifies a particular, egregious form of their corruption. The "right hand" (Hebrew: _yamin_) often symbolizes power, strength, authority, and decisive action. To say it is "full of bribes" means that their very exercise of power, their influence, and their ability to act are saturated with illicit payments and dishonest dealings. This imagery emphasizes that their corruption is not incidental but is the very substance and method of their operation, particularly in contexts where their decisions might impact others, such as in legal or administrative capacities.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its message. The most prominent is **Imagery**, creating a vivid mental picture of hands literally "full" of mischief and bribes, emphasizing the overwhelming and pervasive nature of the corruption. This is further enhanced by **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where "hands" and "right hand" stand in for the entire person and their actions, signifying that their very being and conduct are defined by this depravity. The structure of the verse also demonstrates **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("their right hand is full of bribes") reinforces and specifies the general idea presented in the first clause ("In whose hands [is] mischief"). Both clauses convey the same core message of profound corruption, intensifying the psalmist's condemnation of the wicked.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 26:10 profoundly connects to the broader biblical understanding of justice, righteousness, and the nature of sin. It highlights God's abhorrence for corruption and the perversion of justice, reflecting a divine standard that demands integrity in all human dealings. The imagery of hands "full of bribes" speaks to the systemic nature of sin, where individuals not only commit isolated acts of wrongdoing but embody a lifestyle of moral compromise and exploitation. This verse underscores the biblical call for believers to embody a counter-cultural righteousness, separating themselves from the practices of the world that undermine truth and equity. It implicitly trusts in God's ultimate sovereignty to expose and judge such wickedness, aligning with the prophetic tradition that consistently condemns those who oppress the poor and pervert justice for personal gain.

* [Proverbs 17:23](/proverbs/17-23 "Proverbs 17:23 - The Wicked Man Takes a Bribe")
* [Isaiah 1:23](/isaiah/1-23 "Isaiah 1:23 - Rebellious Rulers and Bribes")
* [Micah 3:11](/micah/3-11 "Micah 3:11 - Corrupt Leaders and Bribes")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 26:10 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting believers to examine the integrity of their own hands and hearts. In a world often characterized by ethical compromises and the pursuit of dishonest gain, this verse challenges us to live lives marked by unwavering honesty and transparency. It calls us to resist the subtle and overt temptations to compromise our values for personal advantage, whether in our professional dealings, financial matters, or even in our interpersonal relationships. Like David, we are called to be discerning about our associations, not to retreat from the world, but to ensure that our closest companionships do not lead us astray into patterns of behavior that contradict God's righteous standards. Ultimately, this verse encourages us to place our trust in God's ultimate justice, knowing that He sees all deeds, both hidden and overt, and will bring all things to light, motivating us to align our lives with His perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "hands full of mischief and bribes" challenge my own integrity in daily life, particularly in areas where I might be tempted to compromise?**
* **In what specific ways might I be tempted to seek personal gain or convenience through dishonest or ethically questionable means?**
* **How can I actively promote justice and integrity in my sphere of influence, whether in my workplace, community, or family, rather than tolerating or participating in corruption?**
* **What does it mean to "discern associations" in a way that is both wise and loving, avoiding harmful influences while still engaging with the world for Christ's sake?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "hands" and "right hand" in this verse?**

Answer: The "hands" in this verse symbolize agency, action, and the means by which individuals operate and exert influence. To say that "mischief" is "in their hands" implies that their very deeds and chosen methods are inherently corrupt. The "right hand" specifically carries additional weight, often symbolizing strength, power, authority, and decisive action in biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts. Therefore, to say their "right hand is full of bribes" signifies that their primary means of exercising power and making decisions are saturated with illicit payments and dishonest dealings. It paints a picture of systemic corruption where their very ability to act is tainted.

**How does this verse relate to the Mosaic Law?**

Answer: This verse strongly echoes and reinforces the principles found in the Mosaic Law, which strictly forbade bribery. Passages like [Exodus 23:8](/exodus/23-8 "Exodus 23:8 - Prohibition Against Bribes") state, "And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the righteous." Similarly, [Deuteronomy 16:19](/deuteronomy/16-19 "Deuteronomy 16:19 - Justice and Bribery") commands, "You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous." Psalms 26:10 highlights the continued presence of such sin despite divine prohibition, demonstrating humanity's persistent struggle with corruption and the timeless nature of God's righteous standards.

**Does this Psalm imply that David was perfectly sinless?**

Answer: No, David's plea for vindication in [Psalms 26](/psalms/26 "Psalm 26 - A Prayer of Integrity") is not a claim of sinless perfection in an absolute sense. Rather, it is a declaration of his general walk of integrity, his commitment to God's ways, and his deliberate separation from the specific, systemic evils of the wicked described in this verse. David seeks vindication based on his *righteous intent* and his *avoidance of their particular forms of corruption* (mischief and bribery), not on an absence of all sin. The Bible consistently teaches that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). David's integrity here is relative to the pervasive wickedness he condemns, appealing to God's justice to distinguish between his heart's desire for righteousness and the deliberate depravity of the ungodly.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While David's plea for integrity in Psalms 26:10 highlights his earnest desire for righteousness, it ultimately points to the perfect, unblemished integrity of Jesus Christ. David's hands might have been stained by sin at times, but the hands of Christ were never "full of mischief" or "bribes." Instead, His hands were instruments of divine power, healing the sick ([Matthew 8:3](/matthew/8-3 "Matthew 8:3 - Jesus Heals a Leper")), blessing children ([Mark 10:16](/mark/10-16 "Mark 10:16 - Jesus Blesses the Children")), and ultimately stretched out on the cross in perfect obedience to the Father's will ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Jesus consistently condemned the very corruption and hypocrisy that David lamented, challenging those who perverted justice and sought dishonest gain ([Matthew 23:25-28](/matthew/23-25 "Matthew 23:25-28 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Through His sinless life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection, Christ provides the ultimate vindication and the true path to purity. Believers are not justified by their own flawed integrity, but by being clothed in His perfect righteousness ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), enabling them to walk in newness of life, free from the dominion of mischief and the allure of bribes, as they strive to imitate His blameless character ([Ephesians 4:22-24](/ephesians/4-22 "Ephesians 4:22-24 - Putting Off the Old Self")).

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

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].