Psalms 63:10

KJV

They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.

KJV (with Strong's)

They shall fall {H5064}{H8686)} by the sword {H3027}{H2719}: they shall be a portion {H4521} for foxes {H7776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

May they be given over to the power of the sword; may they become prey for jackals.

Berean Standard Bible

They will fall to the power of the sword; they will become a portion for foxes.

American Standard Version

They shall be given over to the power of the sword: They shall be a portion for foxes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 63:10 serves as a stark declaration of divine judgment against the psalmist's adversaries, providing a powerful counterpoint to David's profound spiritual longing and trust in God's steadfast love that saturates the earlier verses of the psalm. This verse prophesies the utter downfall and ignominious end of those who seek to destroy the righteous, emphasizing God's ultimate vindication of His anointed servant and the complete disgrace awaiting His enemies.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 63 is a deeply personal psalm of David, often titled "A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah." It opens with an intense expression of thirst and longing for God in a dry and weary land, mirroring David's physical and spiritual state (e.g., [Psalm 63:1-2](/psalms/63-1 "Psalm 63:1-2 - Thirst for God")). The psalm progresses through expressions of praise and remembrance of God's past faithfulness ([Psalm 63:3-8](/psalms/63-3 "Psalm 63:3-8 - Praise and Remembrance")), culminating in a confident declaration of God's protection and the certain defeat of his enemies. Verse 10, therefore, is not a sudden shift to vengeance but the logical conclusion of David's trust in God's justice and his unwavering belief that those who "seek my life to destroy it" ([Psalm 63:9](/psalms/63-9 "Psalm 63:9 - Enemies Seek Life")) will inevitably face divine retribution, contrasting sharply with the psalmist's own secure future in God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The traditional superscription places this psalm during David's time in the wilderness of Judah, a period likely referring to his flight from King Saul (e.g., [1 Samuel 23](/1_samuel/23 "1 Samuel 23 - Saul Pursues David")) or, more commonly, his son Absalom ([2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - David Flees Absalom")). In ancient Near Eastern warfare, falling "by the sword" was a common and often honorable death for a warrior. However, to be left unburied was the ultimate disgrace, a profound curse. Proper burial was paramount, signifying respect and ensuring the deceased's rest. To be left as carrion for scavengers, like foxes or jackals, was a fate reserved for the most despised, a public spectacle of utter defeat and divine judgment, stripping the individual of any dignity even in death. This cultural understanding amplifies the severity of the curse pronounced in this verse.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 63 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Vindication**, asserting that God actively intervenes to protect His anointed and bring judgment upon those who oppose His will and His servants. David's confidence is rooted in God's character as a righteous judge. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **God's Unwavering Protection of the Righteous**. Despite his perilous circumstances, David's declaration about his enemies' fate implicitly reinforces his conviction that God will preserve his own life and destiny, demonstrating divine faithfulness in the face of adversity. Finally, the verse contributes to the theme of **Utter Defeat and Disgrace for God's Enemies**, using vivid imagery to convey not just death, but complete annihilation of legacy and honor, a common motif for the wicked in the Psalms (e.g., [Psalm 37:20](/psalms/37-20 "Psalm 37:20 - The Wicked Perish")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sword (Hebrew, _ḥereḇ_):** This common Hebrew word denotes a weapon of war, specifically a sword or dagger. In this context, "fall by the sword" signifies death in battle or execution, a violent and definitive end. It represents the means of their destruction, often associated with divine judgment or the consequences of their aggressive actions.
* **Foxes (Hebrew, שׁוּעָלִים, _shu'alim'_):** While literally "foxes," this term in the ancient Near East often encompassed smaller canids, including jackals, which were notorious scavengers in the wilderness. The mention of foxes (or jackals) is highly significant. It implies that the enemies' bodies will not receive a proper burial, but will be left exposed and consumed by wild animals. This was considered the ultimate indignity and a severe curse, signifying complete dishonor, desecration, and the obliteration of any memory or legacy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They shall fall by the sword:"** This clause declares a violent and certain end for David's enemies. The passive voice ("shall fall") suggests a divinely ordained or permitted outcome, rather than necessarily an act of David himself. It speaks to their demise in conflict, likely battle, indicating that their aggressive pursuit of David will lead to their own destruction. This is a common fate for those who oppose God's chosen ones in biblical narratives.
* **"they shall be a portion for foxes."** This second clause intensifies the first, describing the ignominious aftermath of their death. To be a "portion for foxes" means their bodies will be left unburied and become food for scavengers. This imagery conveys the utmost disgrace, dishonor, and the complete annihilation of their identity and legacy. It's a powerful statement of divine judgment, where the enemies are not only defeated but utterly dehumanized and stripped of any dignity, even in death.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 63:10 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its message of judgment and disgrace. The most prominent is **Imagery**, particularly the vivid and gruesome picture of bodies left as "a portion for foxes." This specific image functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for utter defeat and ultimate dishonor, transcending mere physical death to encompass the destruction of one's legacy and the absence of any dignified remembrance. The phrase "fall by the sword" uses **Metonymy**, where the instrument (sword) stands for the action (death in battle). Furthermore, the verse exhibits **Parallelism**, specifically **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second clause ("they shall be a portion for foxes") expands upon and intensifies the meaning of the first clause ("They shall fall by the sword"), adding a layer of ignominy to the initial declaration of death. The stark contrast between David's secure dwelling in God and the enemies' desecrated end also highlights **Antithesis**, though not explicitly within the verse itself, it is strongly implied by the psalm's broader context.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 63:10, while seemingly harsh, is deeply rooted in the Old Testament's understanding of divine justice and the covenantal relationship between God and His people. It reflects a theology where God is not only the protector of the righteous but also the righteous judge who will ultimately bring recompense upon those who actively oppose His plan and persecute His chosen servants. This declaration is less about personal vengeance and more about confidence in God's sovereignty and His commitment to uphold justice in a fallen world. It assures the faithful that evil will not triumph indefinitely and that God will vindicate His own, ensuring that the wicked's schemes ultimately lead to their own destruction and disgrace, a stark contrast to the eternal security promised to those who cling to God.

* [Deuteronomy 28:26](/deuteronomy/28-26 "Descriptive Title")
* [Psalm 79:2-3](/psalms/79-2 "Descriptive Title")
* [Jeremiah 7:33](/jeremiah/7-33 "Descriptive Title")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 63:10, though describing a grim fate for enemies, offers a profound spiritual assurance for believers today. It reminds us that God is ultimately sovereign over all circumstances and that His justice will prevail. In a world often marked by injustice and persecution of the righteous, this verse encourages us to place our trust in God's ultimate vindication, rather than seeking personal retribution. While the New Testament calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")), the underlying truth of God's ultimate triumph over evil remains. This psalm teaches us to cling to God in our wilderness experiences, knowing that He sees our struggles and will, in His perfect timing and way, deal with all opposition to His kingdom and His people. It fosters a deep confidence that our ultimate security rests not in our own strength or circumstances, but in the unfailing hand of God, who will always protect His own and bring about His righteous purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's confidence in God's justice in this verse contrast with or complement the New Testament call to love our enemies?**
* **In what "wilderness" experiences do you find yourself longing for God, and how does this psalm encourage your trust in His ultimate protection and vindication?**
* **What does the imagery of "a portion for foxes" teach us about the ultimate futility and disgrace of opposing God's will?**

### FAQ
**Does Psalm 63:10 encourage believers to desire the destruction of their enemies?**

Answer: No, Psalm 63:10 should not be interpreted as an encouragement for believers to desire or actively seek the destruction of their personal enemies. Instead, it reflects David's confident declaration of God's ultimate justice and sovereignty over those who oppose God's anointed and His kingdom. In the Old Testament, psalms like this often serve as prophetic pronouncements of divine judgment, expressing trust that God Himself will deal with evil and injustice. The New Testament provides a clearer and higher ethic for believers, emphasizing love for enemies ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")), praying for persecutors ([Romans 12:14](/romans/12-14 "Romans 12:14 - Bless Those Who Persecute")), and leaving vengeance to God ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to God")). Therefore, while the verse affirms God's justice, it directs our focus to His ultimate triumph rather than personal vindictiveness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 63:10 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the physical destruction of personal foes, but in the decisive and final victory of Jesus Christ over all spiritual enemies: sin, death, and the devil. While David's enemies "fall by the sword" and become "a portion for foxes," signifying their utter defeat and disgrace, Christ's victory is far more comprehensive and eternal. He disarmed the powers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The imagery of utter defeat for God's enemies foreshadows the ultimate judgment pronounced against all who oppose God's kingdom and reject His Son, as depicted in Revelation, where the beast and false prophet are cast into the lake of fire ([Revelation 19:20](/revelation/19-20 "Revelation 19:20 - Defeat of the Beast and False Prophet")) and death itself is swallowed up in victory ([1 Corinthians 15:54](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54 - Death Swallowed Up in Victory")). Thus, this psalm's declaration of God's justice finds its perfect expression in the finished work of Christ, who secures the eternal triumph of righteousness and the ultimate, ignominious defeat of all that stands against God.

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

Ezekiel 35:5

Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed [the blood of] the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time [that their] iniquity [had] an end:

Jeremiah 18:21

Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their [blood] by the force of the sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and [be] widows; and let their men be put to death; [let] their young men [be] slain by the sword in battle.

Revelation 19:17

And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

Revelation 19:18

That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all [men, both] free and bond, both small and great.

1 Samuel 26:10

David said furthermore, [As] the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.

Ezekiel 39:17

And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, [even] a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood.

Ezekiel 39:20

Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD.