Psalms 5:10

Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.

Destroy {H816} thou them, O God {H430}; let them fall {H5307} by their own counsels {H4156}; cast them out {H5080} in the multitude {H7230} of their transgressions {H6588}; for they have rebelled {H4784} against thee.

God, declare them guilty! Let them fall through their own intrigues, For their many crimes, throw them down; since they have rebelled against you.

Declare them guilty, O God; let them fall by their own devices. Drive them out for their many transgressions, for they have rebelled against You.

Hold them guilty, O God; Let them fall by their own counsels; Thrust them out in the multitude of their transgressions; For they have rebelled against thee.

Commentary

Psalms 5:10 presents a fervent prayer from David, asking God to bring judgment upon his enemies. This verse is part of an imprecatory psalm, a type of prayer seeking divine justice against the wicked and those who oppose God's righteous ways. It reflects a deep reliance on God as the ultimate judge and a desire for His righteousness to prevail in the face of injustice and rebellion.

Context

Psalm 5 is attributed to David, likely penned during a time when he faced significant opposition and threats from those who acted wickedly and rebelled against God. The psalm opens with David's morning prayer, seeking God's attention and guidance, and quickly transitions to a plea for deliverance from his adversaries. Verse 10 encapsulates David's strong conviction that these enemies are not merely his personal foes, but rather individuals who have fundamentally "rebelled against thee" (God), making their downfall a matter of divine justice rather than personal vengeance. The KJV's strong phrasing, "Destroy thou them, O God," highlights the intensity of David's plea for God's active intervention.

Key Themes

  • Plea for Divine Justice: The core of the verse is a direct appeal to God to act as judge. David acknowledges that only God has the power and the right to "destroy" and "cast out" those who defy Him. This is not a call for personal revenge but a trust in God's perfect justice.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: The verse emphasizes that the downfall of the wicked is a direct result of their own actions and "counsels" (schemes or plans). Their "multitude of their transgressions" and their explicit "rebellion against thee" are the justifications for God's judgment. This highlights the biblical principle that sin carries its own devastating consequences, leading to ruin. For more on the consequences of sin, consider the wages of sin in Romans 6:23.
  • God's Righteous Sovereignty: David's prayer underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His commitment to righteousness. He trusts that God will not allow wickedness to triumph indefinitely but will ultimately uphold justice and vindicate the righteous.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Destroy" (אבד - 'abad): The Hebrew word used here often means to perish, be lost, or be ruined. It conveys a sense of complete and utter downfall, not necessarily annihilation but a state of being utterly undone or brought to naught.
  • "Counsels" (ΧžΧ•Χ’Χ¦Χ•Χͺ - mo'atsot): This refers to their schemes, plans, or plots. The phrase "let them fall by their own counsels" vividly illustrates the idea that the wicked will be ensnared and undone by their own devious designs. This theme is echoed in other wisdom literature, such as Proverbs 26:27, where he who digs a pit shall fall therein.
  • "Rebelled" (ΧžΧ¨Χ“Χ• - maradu): This is a strong term for open defiance, disobedience, and revolt against authority, specifically against God Himself. It implies a deliberate and willful rejection of God's commands and character, which is the ultimate justification for David's plea for judgment. The profound nature of rebellion against God is a recurring theme in Scripture.

Practical Application

While Psalms 5:10 is an imprecatory prayer, its application for believers today requires careful consideration, especially in light of the New Testament's emphasis on love for enemies (e.g., Matthew 5:44). However, several principles remain relevant:

  • Trust in God's Justice: This verse reminds us that God is ultimately just. When faced with injustice, oppression, or rebellion against God's ways, believers can confidently pray for God's righteous judgment to prevail, trusting that He will right all wrongs in His perfect timing.
  • Consequences of Sin: It serves as a powerful reminder that rebellion against God and persistent transgression lead to inevitable ruin. While God is merciful, His justice is also certain.
  • Understanding Imprecatory Prayers: These prayers are not expressions of personal vindictiveness but appeals to God's character as a holy and righteous judge who must address sin and uphold His moral order. They reflect a desire for God's glory to be revealed through His justice, especially when human systems fail to deliver it.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 63:10

    But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, [and] he fought against them.

  • 2 Samuel 17:14

    And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite [is] better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.

  • Psalms 71:13

    Let them be confounded [and] consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered [with] reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:19

    For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

  • 2 Samuel 17:23

    And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled [his] ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

  • Psalms 31:18

    Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

  • 2 Samuel 15:31

    ΒΆ And [one] told David, saying, Ahithophel [is] among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
← Back