Psalm 140:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into fire, into miry pits, no more to rise!

NIV: May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise.

NASB: May burning coals fall upon them; May they be cast into the fire, Into bottomless pits from which they cannot rise.

CSB: Let hot coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into the abyss, never again to rise.

NLT: Let burning coals fall down on their heads. Let them be thrown into the fire or into watery pits from which they can’t escape.

KJV: Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

NKJV: Let burning coals fall upon them; Let them be cast into the fire, Into deep pits, that they rise not up again.

Psalm 140:9–11 contains direct requests that the Lord would harm or punish enemies. These "imprecations" are appeals to God, not vows, or plans for David to act himself. Part of his wish is that the wicked will suffer the same fate they seem to plan for David (Psalm 140:8). He hopes for their death and defeat, hoping that harm will come to these bloodthirsty ones before they gain power.

David prays for rescue from wicked and bloodthirsty enemies. He suggests violent conspiracies and traps, including false words. These enemies are plotting for his death, so he asks God for protection. This prayer comes with confidence that the Lord will grant David's request. David also asks the Lord to judge these evil opponents: to make them suffer defeat and death. This is also expressed with confidence that God will do what is right and care for the weak.

Psalm 140 is part of a series associated with David (Psalms 138—145). No specific event is mentioned. However, David experienced danger and conspiracy many times. King Saul sought to have him killed (1 Samuel 19:1–2) and David's own son, Absalom, conspired to take the throne (2 Samuel 15:13–14). Because David prays for negative consequences on these enemies, this is considered the last of the "imprecatory" psalms (Psalms 5; 10; 17; 35; 58; 59; 69; 70; 79; 83; 109; 129; 13). Davd's Psalm 7 has a similar progression of ideas and also relates to a hostile enemy.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 3/31/2025 6:21:49 PM