Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Psalms 10:10

Next

He croucheth, [and] humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.

He croucheth {H1794}, and humbleth {H7817} himself, that the poor {H2426}{H2489}{H2489} may fall {H5307} by his strong ones {H6099}.

Yes, he stoops, crouches down low; and the helpless wretch falls into his clutches.

They are crushed and beaten down; the hapless fall prey to his strength.

He croucheth, he boweth down, And the helpless fall by his strong ones.

Commentary

This verse is part of Psalm 10, a lament describing the actions and character of the wicked who oppress the vulnerable, seemingly unchecked by God. Verse 10 continues the depiction of the oppressor's predatory tactics against the poor.

Context

Psalm 10 focuses intently on the plight of the poor and helpless under the hand of the wicked oppressor. The psalmist describes the wicked person's arrogance (Psalm 10:4), their greed (Psalm 10:3), and their belief that God does not see or care (Psalm 10:11). Verse 10 specifically details the cunning way the wicked position themselves to trap and overcome their victims.

Key Themes

  • Deception and Cunning: The language "croucheth, [and] humbleth himself" suggests a deceptive posture, not genuine humility, but a lowering or hiding to ambush.
  • Oppression of the Vulnerable: The target is explicitly "the poor," highlighting the wicked's exploitation of those least able to defend themselves.
  • Power and Force ("His Strong Ones"): This phrase likely refers to the oppressor's means of power – their strength, resources, or perhaps allies – used to ensure the poor "fall."
  • Injustice: The verse contributes to the overall theme of the psalm, which is a cry against the apparent triumph of injustice and a plea for divine intervention.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words behind "croucheth" and "humbleth himself" (יִדְכֶּה - yidkeḥ and יִשַּׁח - yissaḥ) convey a sense of being brought low, crushed, or bending down. In this context, combined with the action against the poor, it doesn't mean meekness, but rather a predatory lowering, like a hunter stooping to stalk prey or lie in wait. "His strong ones" (בַּעֲצוּמָיו - baʿăṣûmāw) comes from a root meaning 'strong' or 'mighty', referring to the instruments or agents of their power by which they ensnare their victims.

Reflection & Application

This verse paints a stark picture of the wicked's calculated cruelty. It reminds us that oppression often involves not just brute force but also cunning and deception, preying on the vulnerability of others. It serves as a reminder that injustice is a serious matter to God and is often inflicted upon those who are marginalized and weak. The psalm, as a whole, calls believers to identify with the suffering of the oppressed and to join in the prayer for God's righteous judgment and intervention on their behalf, trusting that the Lord ultimately sees the trouble and grief.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 23:21 (4 votes)

    And Saul said, Blessed [be] ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.

  • 1 Samuel 23:22 (4 votes)

    Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, [and] who hath seen him there: for it is told me [that] he dealeth very subtilly.

  • 1 Samuel 18:21 (3 votes)

    And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in [the one of] the twain.

  • 1 Samuel 18:26 (3 votes)

    And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son in law: and the days were not expired.

  • 2 Samuel 15:5 (3 votes)

    And it was [so], that when any man came nigh [to him] to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

  • 1 Samuel 2:36 (3 votes)

    And it shall come to pass, [that] every one that is left in thine house shall come [and] crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.