Psalms 140:10 Meaning and Explanation
“Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist prays for decisive judgment against the enemies through fire and deep pits.
The Context of Psalms 140:10
A prayer for final judgment and destruction of the persistent enemies.
What Does Psalms 140:10 Mean?
This verse employs the language of divine judgment using imagery of destruction: burning coals and fire represent God's judgment against wickedness. The pits represent a place from which there is no escape—'that they rise not up again' suggests finality and the end of their threat. This language is not unique to Psalms; it appears elsewhere as a description of God's judgment against persistent evil.
The intensity of the prayer reflects the intensity of the threat and the desperation of the psalmist. Rather than seeing this as vindictiveness, it can be understood as a plea for justice against those whose pride and wickedness pose an ongoing danger. The prayer trusts that God will render final judgment.
Psalms 140:10 in the Original Language
gechel (גְּחָלִים), 'coals' — burning coals, used metaphorically for divine judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 140:10
What does Psalms 140:10 mean?
The psalmist prays for decisive judgment against the enemies through fire and deep pits.
What is the context of Psalms 140:10?
A prayer for final judgment and destruction of the persistent enemies.