Psalms 10:8 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The wicked hide in ambush to harm the innocent, targeting the vulnerable poor.
The Context of Psalms 10:8
The psalm portrays the wicked as deliberately hunting the vulnerable for harm.
What Does Psalms 10:8 Mean?
The wicked are depicted as predatory: they choose strategic hiding places in villages to catch prey. The deliberate choice of 'secret places' emphasizes premeditation and cowardice—they strike when observation is difficult and resistance is minimal.
The victims are specifically 'the innocent' and 'the poor,' those least able to defend themselves. The phrase 'his eyes are privily set against' shows sustained, hidden observation—the wicked watch their quarry with intent to harm. This is systematic exploitation, not random cruelty.
Psalms 10:8 in the Original Language
arb (ארב), 'lurking places'—ambush points or places of concealment; used for hunting both game and people.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 10:8
What does Psalms 10:8 mean?
The wicked hide in ambush to harm the innocent, targeting the vulnerable poor.
What is the context of Psalms 10:8?
The psalm portrays the wicked as deliberately hunting the vulnerable for harm.