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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 10:8 He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/10-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/19_Psa_010_008.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 10:8 - The Perils of the Pilgrim" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/10-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/10-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/10.htm">Chapter 10</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/10-7.htm" title="Psalm 10:7">◄</a> Psalm 10:8 <a href="/psalms/10-9.htm" title="Psalm 10:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/10.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/10.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent. His eyes watch in secret for his victims;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/10.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They lurk in ambush in the villages, waiting to murder innocent people. They are always searching for helpless victims.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/10.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/10.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/10.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He sits in the lurking places of the villages; In the secret places he murders the innocent; His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />He sits in the lurking places of the villages; He kills the innocent in the secret places; His eyes surreptitiously watch for the unfortunate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/10.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He sits in the lurking places of the villages; In the hiding places he kills the innocent; His eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />He sits in the lurking places of the villages; In the hiding places he kills the innocent; His eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He sits in the places of the villages <i>where one</i> lies in wait; In the hiding places he kills the innocent; His eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He lurks in ambush in the villages; In hiding places he kills the innocent; He lies in wait for the unfortunate [the unhappy, the poor, the helpless].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He waits in ambush near settlements; he kills the innocent in secret places. His eyes are on the lookout for the helpless;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He waits in ambush near the villages; he kills the innocent in secret places. His eyes are on the lookout for the helpless; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/10.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages; In the secret places doth he murder the innocent; His eyes are privily set against the helpless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They hide outside villages, waiting to strike and murder some innocent victim. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/10.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the covert places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the helpless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He waits in ambush in the villages. From his hiding places he kills innocent people. His eyes are on the lookout for victims.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/10.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They hide themselves in the villages, waiting to murder innocent people. They spy on their helpless victims; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/10.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They wait in ambush in the villages, they kill the innocent in secret.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/10.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He waits in ambush near the villages; in hidden places he kills the innocent. His eyes look for some unfortunate victim. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He lies in wait near the villages. From ambushes, he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly set against the helpless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/10.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He lies in wait near the villages. From ambushes, he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly set against the helpless. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />He sits in an ambush of the villages, "" He slays the innocent in secret places. His eyes secretly watch for the afflicted,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> He doth sit in an ambush of the villages, In secret places he doth slay the innocent. His eyes for the afflicted watch secretly,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Sitting in ambush of the enclosures: in hiding-places he will slay the innocent: his eyes will be hid to the afflicted.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He sitteth in ambush with the rich in private places, that he may kill the innocent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 9:29>He sits in ambush, with resources in hidden places, so that he may execute the innocent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/10.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They wait in ambush near towns; their eyes watch for the helpless to murder the innocent in secret. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They sit in ambush in the villages; in hiding places they murder the innocent. Their eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He sits in the lurking place of a den; and in a secret place does he murder the innocent; his eyes spy on the destitute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/10.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He sits in ambush in a dwelling and in a secret place he murders the righteous; his eyes gaze upon the afflicted one.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/10.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages; In secret places doth he slay the innocent; His eyes are on the watch for the helpless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/10.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />He lies in wait with rich <i>men</i> in secret places, in order to slay the innocent: his eyes are set against the poor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/10-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=871" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/10.htm">The Perils of the Pilgrim</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: yê·šêḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">He lies</a> <a href="/hebrew/3993.htm" title="3993: bə·ma’·raḇ (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- An ambush. From 'arab; an ambuscade.">in wait</a> <a href="/hebrew/2691.htm" title="2691: ḥă·ṣê·rîm (N-cp) -- A yard, a hamlet.">near the villages;</a> <a href="/hebrew/4565.htm" title="4565: bam·mis·tā·rîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- A secret place, hiding place. From cathar; properly, a concealer, i.e. A covert.">in ambush</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: ya·hă·rōḡ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">he slays</a> <a href="/hebrew/5355.htm" title="5355: nā·qî (Adj-ms) -- Clean, free from, exempt. Or naqiyi,; from naqah; innocent.">the innocent;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·nāw (N-cdc:: 3ms) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">his eyes</a> <a href="/hebrew/6845.htm" title="6845: yiṣ·pō·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to hide; by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically to protect, to lurk.">watch in stealth</a> <a href="/hebrew/2489.htm" title="2489: lə·ḥê·lə·ḵāh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- Or chelkah; apparently from an unused root probably meaning to be dark or unhappy; a wretch, i.e. Unfortunate.">for the helpless.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-11.htm">Proverbs 1:11-12</a></span><br />If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, / let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-16.htm">Proverbs 1:16</a></span><br />For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-17.htm">Proverbs 6:17</a></span><br />haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-15.htm">Proverbs 24:15</a></span><br />Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-26.htm">Jeremiah 5:26</a></span><br />For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-8.htm">Jeremiah 9:8</a></span><br />Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-22.htm">Jeremiah 18:22</a></span><br />Let a cry be heard from their houses when You suddenly bring raiders against them, for they have dug a pit to capture me and have hidden snares for my feet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-2.htm">Micah 7:2</a></span><br />The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-15.htm">Habakkuk 1:15</a></span><br />The foe pulls all of them up with a hook; he catches them in his dragnet, and gathers them in his fishing net; so he rejoices gladly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-21.htm">Isaiah 29:21</a></span><br />those who indict a man with a word, who ensnare the mediator at the gate, and who with false charges deprive the innocent of justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-7.htm">Isaiah 59:7</a></span><br />Their feet run to evil; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and destruction lie in their wake.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-14.htm">Matthew 23:14</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-47.htm">Luke 20:47</a></span><br />They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/12-40.htm">Mark 12:40</a></span><br />They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-15.htm">Romans 3:15-16</a></span><br />“Their feet are swift to shed blood; / ruin and misery lie in their wake,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He sits in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places does he murder the innocent: his eyes are privately set against the poor.</p><p class="hdg">sitteth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/22-18.htm">1 Samuel 22:18</a></b></br> And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/23-23.htm">1 Samuel 23:23</a></b></br> See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/21-16.htm">2 Kings 21:16</a></b></br> Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing <i>that which was</i> evil in the sight of the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">his eyes</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/17-11.htm">Psalm 17:11</a></b></br> They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">Proverbs 6:12,13</a></b></br> A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/22-17.htm">Jeremiah 22:17</a></b></br> But thine eyes and thine heart <i>are</i> not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do <i>it</i>.</p><p class="hdg">are privily set.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/20-22.htm">Ambush</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/20-22.htm">Ambushes</a> <a href="/psalms/10-7.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/psalms/9-13.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/6-7.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/job/5-16.htm">Helpless</a> <a href="/job/42-3.htm">Hiding</a> <a href="/job/34-5.htm">Innocent</a> <a href="/job/24-14.htm">Kills</a> <a href="/psalms/10-7.htm">Lies</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-37.htm">Murder</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-26.htm">Murders</a> <a href="/psalms/9-6.htm">Places</a> <a href="/psalms/10-2.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-4.htm">Privily</a> <a href="/job/41-21.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/psalms/9-15.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/job/31-27.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/psalms/9-7.htm">Sits</a> <a href="/psalms/9-7.htm">Sitteth</a> <a href="/job/24-14.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/job/4-12.htm">Stealthily</a> <a href="/psalms/9-6.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-8.htm">Unfortunate</a> <a href="/esther/9-19.htm">Villages</a> <a href="/psalms/5-8.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/psalms/9-10.htm">Waiting</a> <a href="/psalms/5-3.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/job/39-29.htm">Watching</a> <a href="/psalms/7-9.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/10-9.htm">Ambush</a> <a href="/psalms/64-4.htm">Ambushes</a> <a href="/psalms/11-2.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/psalms/13-3.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/10-14.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/psalms/10-9.htm">Helpless</a> <a href="/psalms/10-9.htm">Hiding</a> <a href="/psalms/15-5.htm">Innocent</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-25.htm">Kills</a> <a href="/psalms/12-2.htm">Lies</a> <a href="/psalms/62-3.htm">Murder</a> <a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Murders</a> <a href="/psalms/16-6.htm">Places</a> <a href="/psalms/10-9.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/psalms/11-2.htm">Privily</a> <a href="/psalms/10-14.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/psalms/10-9.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/psalms/10-9.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/psalms/29-10.htm">Sits</a> <a href="/psalms/29-10.htm">Sitteth</a> <a href="/psalms/34-21.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/luke/17-20.htm">Stealthily</a> <a href="/psalms/69-35.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/psalms/10-10.htm">Unfortunate</a> <a href="/psalms/48-11.htm">Villages</a> <a href="/psalms/10-9.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/psalms/10-9.htm">Waiting</a> <a href="/psalms/32-8.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/psalms/11-4.htm">Watching</a> <a href="/psalms/15-3.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 10</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/10-1.htm">David complains of the wicked</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/10-12.htm">He prays for remedy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/10-16.htm">He professes his confidence</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/10.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/10.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>He lies in wait near the villages;</b><br>This phrase suggests a setting outside the city, in rural or less populated areas where people might be more vulnerable. In ancient Israel, villages were often small and lacked the fortifications of larger cities, making them susceptible to attacks. The imagery of lying in wait indicates premeditated malice, akin to a predator stalking its prey. This behavior reflects the actions of the wicked, who exploit the defenseless. Biblically, this can be compared to the actions of the Amalekites, who attacked the Israelites from behind, targeting the weak and weary (<a href="/deuteronomy/25-17.htm">Deuteronomy 25:17-18</a>).<p><b>in ambush he slays the innocent;</b><br>The act of ambush implies deceit and cowardice, as the attacker does not confront openly but rather hides and strikes unexpectedly. The term "innocent" highlights the moral depravity of the attacker, as they target those who are undeserving of such violence. This can be seen as a reflection of the broader theme of injustice found throughout the Psalms, where the righteous suffer at the hands of the wicked. The slaying of the innocent is reminiscent of the murder of Abel by Cain (<a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Genesis 4:8</a>), where jealousy and sin led to the first act of human violence.<p><b>his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless.</b><br>The imagery of watching in stealth suggests a calculated and sinister intent. The "helpless" refers to those who are unable to defend themselves, such as the poor, widows, and orphans, who are frequently mentioned in Scripture as needing protection (<a href="/exodus/22-22.htm">Exodus 22:22-24</a>). This behavior is condemned throughout the Bible, as God is portrayed as a defender of the weak (<a href="/psalms/68-5.htm">Psalm 68:5</a>). The wicked's predatory nature contrasts with the character of God, who sees and judges all actions (<a href="/proverbs/15-3.htm">Proverbs 15:3</a>). This verse can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate justice that will be brought by Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead (<a href="/2_timothy/4.htm">2 Timothy 4:1</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked_man.htm">The Wicked Man</a></b><br>The primary subject of this verse, representing those who act with malice and deceit, preying on the vulnerable.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_innocent.htm">The Innocent</a></b><br>Those who are targeted by the wicked, often characterized by their vulnerability and lack of defense.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/v/villages.htm">Villages</a></b><br>Symbolic of places where people live in community, often representing safety and peace, yet here they are places of danger.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/ambush.htm">Ambush</a></b><br>A tactic used by the wicked, indicating premeditated and concealed attacks.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_helpless.htm">The Helpless</a></b><br>Individuals who are unable to defend themselves, often marginalized or oppressed in society.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/recognizing_evil_tactics.htm">Recognizing Evil Tactics</a></b><br>Understand that evil often operates in secrecy and deceit, targeting the vulnerable. Be vigilant and discerning in recognizing such tactics in the world today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_for_the_oppressed.htm">God's Justice for the Oppressed</a></b><br>Trust in God's ultimate justice. While the wicked may seem to prosper temporarily, God sees and will act on behalf of the innocent and helpless.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/our_role_in_protecting_the_vulnerable.htm">Our Role in Protecting the Vulnerable</a></b><br>As Christians, we are called to defend and support those who are helpless, reflecting God's heart for justice and mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_for_discernment_and_protection.htm">Prayer for Discernment and Protection</a></b><br>Regularly pray for wisdom to discern evil schemes and for protection over those who are vulnerable in our communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_with_integrity.htm">Living with Integrity</a></b><br>Commit to living with integrity and righteousness, avoiding any form of deceit or harm towards others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_10.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 10</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/day_26_insights_on_spiritual_growth.htm">What events define the Triumphal Entry in Volume 23?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_7_8_contradict_romans_3_10.htm">If Psalm 7:8 claims personal righteousness, does this contradict the broader biblical teaching of universal sinfulness (e.g., Romans 3:10)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_ask_god_for_favor_if_he's_impartial.htm">Why does Psalm 17:8 ask God to treat the psalmist as 'the apple of Your eye' if God is supposed to be impartial (Deuteronomy 10:17)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_146_8_align_with_science.htm">In Psalm 146:8, how does God's claimed power to heal blindness align with documented medical science?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/10.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">In lurking places . . .</span><span class= "ital">--i.e., </span>in ambush.<p><span class= "bld">Villages.</span>--Properly, enclosed spaces, but then, like our "town" (<span class= "ital">ton, </span>an enclosure), for any collection of dwellings; and in <a href="/leviticus/25-31.htm" title="But the houses of the villages which have no wall round about them shall be counted as the fields of the country: they may be redeemed, and they shall go out in the jubilee.">Leviticus 25:31</a>, "an unwalled place"; applied also to a nomadic encampment (<a href="/genesis/25-16.htm" title="These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations.">Genesis 25:16</a>).<p><span class= "bld">Privily set.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">hid: i.e., </span>watched secretly.<p><span class= "bld">The poor.</span>--The Hebrew word, occurring three times in this psalm (<a href="/psalms/10-10.htm" title="He crouches, and humbles himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.">Psalm 10:10</a>; <a href="/psalms/10-14.htm" title="You have seen it; for you behold mischief and spite, to requite it with your hand: the poor commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.">Psalm 10:14</a>), is peculiar to it. The root idea is <span class= "ital">darkness; </span>hence here, by an easy transition, <span class= "ital">obscure, humble. </span>Symmachus has "feeble." But Mr. Burgess suggests that we may in all three places keep the root idea, <span class= "ital">darkness. </span>Translate, <span class= "ital">his eyes hide </span>(<span class= "ital">i.e., wait</span>)<span class= "ital"> for the darkness; </span>and comp. <a href="/job/24-15.htm" title="The eye also of the adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguises his face.">Job 24:15</a>. "The eye of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages</span>. These "lurking-places" must not be supposed to have been inside the villages, but outside of them They were retired spots at no great distance, where brigands or others might lie in ambush, ready to seize on such of the villagers as might show themselves. In the secret places doth he murder the innocent (comp. <a href="/job/24-14.htm">Job 24:14</a>). The usual object would be, not murder, but robbery. Still, there would be cases where it would be convenient to remove a man, as Jezebel removed Naboth; and moreover, in every case of robbery, there is a chance that the victim may resist, and a struggle ensue, in which he may lose his life. His eyes are privily set against the poor; or, <span class="accented">his eyes lay ambush for the helpless</span> (Kay). The word translated" poor" (<span class="hebrew">הֵלְכָה</span>) is only found in this place and in ver. 10, where the antithesis of "strong ones" seems to imply that the weak and helpless are meant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/10-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">He lies</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵשֵׁ֤ב ׀</span> <span class="translit">(yê·šêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in wait</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמַאְרַ֬ב</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ma’·raḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3993.htm">Strong's 3993: </a> </span><span class="str2">An ambuscade</span><br /><br /><span class="word">near the villages;</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲצֵרִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·ṣê·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2691.htm">Strong's 2691: </a> </span><span class="str2">A yard, a hamlet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in ambush</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּֽ֭מִּסְתָּרִים</span> <span class="translit">(bam·mis·tā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4565.htm">Strong's 4565: </a> </span><span class="str2">A secret place, hiding place</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he slays</span><br /><span class="heb">יַהֲרֹ֣ג</span> <span class="translit">(ya·hă·rōḡ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> </span><span class="str2">To smite with deadly intent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the innocent;</span><br /><span class="heb">נָקִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(nā·qî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5355.htm">Strong's 5355: </a> </span><span class="str2">Clean, free from, exempt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his eyes</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֝ינָ֗יו</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">watch in stealth</span><br /><span class="heb">יִצְפֹּֽנוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yiṣ·pō·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6845.htm">Strong's 6845: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hide, to hoard, reserve, to deny, to protect, to lurk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the helpless.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְֽחֵלְכָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḥê·lə·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2489.htm">Strong's 2489: </a> </span><span class="str2">A wretch, unfortunate</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/10-8.htm">Psalm 10:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/10-8.htm">Psalm 10:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/10-8.htm">Psalm 10:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/10-8.htm">Psalm 10:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/10-8.htm">Psalm 10:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/10-8.htm">Psalm 10:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/10-8.htm">Psalm 10:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/10-8.htm">Psalm 10:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/10-8.htm">Psalm 10:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/10-8.htm">Psalm 10:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/10-8.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 10:8 He lies in wait near the villages (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/10-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 10:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 10:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/10-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 10:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 10:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>