Psalm 63:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.

NIV: They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.

NASB: They will be turned over to the power of the sword; They will be a prey for foxes.

CSB: They will be given over to the power of the sword; they will become a meal for jackals.

NLT: They will die by the sword and become the food of jackals.

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

NKJV: They shall fall by the sword; They shall be a portion for jackals.

To be "given over" to something means to fall under its control. When someone is under the power of the sword, it means they have been slain in battle or by an enemy's weapon (Psalm 22:20; Job 5:20; Ezekiel 35:5). This psalm was written about David's evacuation from an armed rebellion (2 Samuel 15:13–14). What David predicts here came to pass: his enemies suffered tremendous losses and the conspirators were killed (2 Samuel 18:6–8, 15). This verse also refers to "jackals" or "foxes," meaning a scavenging animal from the wilderness. Throughout history, fallen bodies from major battles have often been handled by animals before they can be properly buried.

When Jesus returns to earth to establish His millennial kingdom, He will destroy His enemies with the power of the sword. Revelation 19:15 describes a sharp sword proceeding from His mouth that strikes down the nations. Verses 17 and 18 report an invitation an angel gives. He calls on the birds of the air to "come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great." Verse 21 reports that the sword that proceeds from Jesus' mouth also slays the rest of the followers of the beast and false prophet.

Psalm 63:9–11 concludes by contrasting two different fates. One is the doom of David's enemies, who oppose the Lord's will and tell lies (2 Samuel 15:13–14). The other destiny is that of David and his loyal followers. Enemies can expect death and disaster, while David and other godly people anticipate celebration in victory.

David longs to know God the same way a man wishes for water and rest when wandering in the desert. Praise to God is as satisfying as eating rich foods. David trusts entirely in the Lord and His protection. The enemies who seek David's throne will be defeated; in his confidence David plans to rejoice when this occurs. This psalm was inspired by David's hasty retreat from Absalom's rebellion, through the wilderness (2 Samuel 17:27–29).

This song was inspired by David's experiences during the rebellion of his son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13–14). Other writings associated with this event include Psalms 3, 4, 5, 8, 41, and 62. When David evacuated Jerusalem, his traveling group made a difficult journey through dry, uninhabited wilderness areas (2 Samuel 16:14; 17:2, 27–29). The song creates a parallel between David's physical needs and his desire to reconnect with the Lord.

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.