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.
Original Language Analysis
הַֽאֲשִׁימֵ֨ם׀
Destroy
H816
הַֽאֲשִׁימֵ֨ם׀
Destroy
Strong's:
H816
Word #:
1 of 10
to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish
אֱֽלֹהִ֗ים
thou them O God
H430
אֱֽלֹהִ֗ים
thou them O God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
2 of 10
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִפְּלוּ֮
let them fall
H5307
יִפְּלוּ֮
let them fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
3 of 10
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
פִּ֭שְׁעֵיהֶם
of their transgressions
H6588
פִּ֭שְׁעֵיהֶם
of their transgressions
Strong's:
H6588
Word #:
6 of 10
a revolt (national, moral or religious)
הַדִּיחֵ֑מוֹ
cast them out
H5080
הַדִּיחֵ֑מוֹ
cast them out
Strong's:
H5080
Word #:
7 of 10
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Isaiah 63:10But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.2 Samuel 17:14And 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 31:18Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.Psalms 71:13Let 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 3:19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.2 Samuel 15:31And 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.2 Samuel 17:23And 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 35:26Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.Psalms 55:15Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.Hosea 9:7The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.
Historical Context
Imprecatory psalms reflected covenant curses that God Himself established against covenant breakers. David as God's anointed had the right to invoke these curses on those opposing God's kingdom. The early church understood these prayers as ultimately aimed at spiritual enemies - sin, death, and Satan - defeated through Christ's work.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you pray for justice while maintaining proper attitudes toward enemies?
- What does it mean to pray imprecatory prayers against spiritual forces rather than people?
Analysis & Commentary
David's prayer for judgment is not personal vengeance but a call for divine justice. 'Let them fall by their own counsels' invokes the principle of retributive justice - the wicked trap themselves in their schemes (Psalm 7:15-16). The 'multitude of their transgressions' and their rebellion ('rebelled against thee') show these are not innocent victims but covenant violators. Such imprecatory prayers are legitimate when God's people call on Him to execute His threatened judgments against unrepentant rebels, ultimately pointing to the final judgment.