Psalms 63:10

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis

יַגִּירֻ֥הוּ

H5064

They shall fall

to flow; figuratively, to stretch out; causatively, to pour out or down; figuratively, to deliver over

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְדֵי

H3027

by the sword

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

חָ֑רֶב

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

מְנָ֖ת

H4521

they shall be a portion

an allotment (by courtesy, law or providence)

שֻׁעָלִ֣ים

H7776

for foxes

a jackal (as a burrower)

יִהְיֽוּ׃

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

Analysis

The worship and praise theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on worship and praise particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does the worship and praise theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of the progressive revelation of God's purposes throughout Scripture, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about worship and praise?