Psalms 10:3
Psalms 10:3 in Multiple Translations
For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, And the covetous renounceth, yea, contemneth Jehovah.
For the evil-doer is lifted up because of the purpose of his heart, and he whose mind is fixed on wealth is turned away from the Lord, saying evil against him.
For the wicked boast about what they want to do. They praise the greedy, but treat the Lord with contempt.
For the wicked hath made boast of his owne heartes desire, and the couetous blesseth himselfe: he contemneth the Lord.
Because the wicked hath boasted Of the desire of his soul, And a dishonest gainer he hath blessed, He hath despised Jehovah.
For the wicked boasts of his heart’s cravings. He blesses the greedy and condemns the LORD.
For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
For, lo, the wicked have bent their bow; they have prepared their arrows in the quiver; to shoot in the dark the upright of heart.
They brag about the evil things that they want to do. They praise people who seize from others things that do not belong to them, and they curse you, Yahweh.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 10:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 10:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּֽי
הִלֵּ֣ל
רָ֭שָׁע
עַל
תַּאֲוַ֣ת
נַפְשׁ֑/וֹ
וּ/בֹצֵ֥עַ
בֵּ֝רֵ֗ךְ
נִ֘אֵ֥ץ
יְהוָֽה
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
הִלֵּ֣ל
hâlal
H1984
to shine
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
רָ֭שָׁע
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
תַּאֲוַ֣ת
taʼăvâh
H8378
desire
N-fs
נַפְשׁ֑/וֹ
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs | Suff
וּ/בֹצֵ֥עַ
bâtsaʻ
H1214
to cut off
Conj | V-Qal
בֵּ֝רֵ֗ךְ
bârak
H1288
to bless
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
נִ֘אֵ֥ץ
nâʼats
H5006
to spurn
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 10:3
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
הִלֵּ֣ל
hâlal
H1984
"to shine"
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
To be foolish means to act wildly or make a show, like the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:29. It can also mean to celebrate or boast, as in Psalm 38:5.
Definition: 1) to shine 1a) (Qal) to shine (fig. of God's favour) 1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light
Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(-ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine. See also: Genesis 12:15; Psalms 113:1; Psalms 5:6.
רָ֭שָׁע
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
תַּאֲוַ֣ת
taʼăvâh
H8378
"desire"
N-fs
This word means desire or longing, and can refer to a positive or negative yearning. In the Bible, it is used to describe the desires of the heart, as seen in Psalm 38:9. It can also imply a delight or satisfaction.
Definition: 1) desire 1a) desire, wish, longings of one's heart 1a1) lust, appetite, covetousness (bad sense) 1b) thing desired, object of desire
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: dainty, desire, [idiom] exceedingly, [idiom] greedily, lust(ing), pleasant. See also H6914 (קִבְרוֹת הַתַּאֲוָה). See also: Genesis 3:6; Psalms 106:14; Psalms 10:3.
נַפְשׁ֑/וֹ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
וּ/בֹצֵ֥עַ
bâtsaʻ
H1214
"to cut off"
Conj | V-Qal
This Hebrew verb means to cut off or stop, and can also describe being greedy or covetous, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: : to cut off 1) to cut off, break off, gain by unrighteous violence, get, finish, be covetous, be greedy 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut off 1a2) to stop 1a3) to gain wrongfully or by violence 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to cut off, sever 1b2) to finish, complete, accomplish 1b3) to violently make gain of
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: (be) covet(-ous), cut (off), finish, fulfill, gain (greedily), get, be given to (covetousness), greedy, perform, be wounded. See also: Job 6:9; Jeremiah 8:10; Psalms 10:3.
בֵּ֝רֵ֗ךְ
bârak
H1288
"to bless"
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
To bless means to praise or honor God, often by kneeling in worship. In the Bible, people bless God and God blesses people, showing favor and care for them, as seen in the story of Abraham and his descendants.
Definition: 1) to bless, kneel 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kneel 1a2) to bless 1b) (Niphal) to be blessed, bless oneself 1c) (Piel) to bless 1d) (Pual) to be blessed, be adored 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to kneel 1f) (Hithpael) to bless oneself 2) (TWOT) to praise, salute, curse Aramaic equivalent: be.rakh (בְּרַךְ "to bless" H1289)
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank. See also: Genesis 1:22; Deuteronomy 24:19; Job 2:9.
נִ֘אֵ֥ץ
nâʼats
H5006
"to spurn"
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
To spurn or scorn means to show contempt or hatred, often used in the Bible to describe rejection of God or his people. This word appears in Proverbs and Psalms, warning against despising others. It can also mean to provoke or blaspheme.
Definition: 1) to spurn, contemn, despise, abhor 1a) (Qal) to spurn, contemn 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to spurn 1b2) to cause to contemn 1c) (Hiphil) to spurn 1d) (Hithpolel) to be contemned
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: abhor, (give occasion to) blaspheme, contemn, despise, flourish, [idiom] great, provoke. See also: Numbers 14:11; Proverbs 1:30; Psalms 10:3.
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 10:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 10:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 10:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 10:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 10:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 10:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 10:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 10:3
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 10:3
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 10:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 10:3
- Sermons on Psalms 10:3
Context — The Perils of the Pilgrim
1Why, O LORD, do You stand far off? Why do You hide in times of trouble?
2In pride the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise.
3For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
4In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God. 5He is secure in his ways at all times; Your lofty judgments are far from him; he sneers at all his foes.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 94:4 | They pour out arrogant words; all workers of iniquity boast. |
| 2 | Luke 12:19 | Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ |
| 3 | Zechariah 11:5–8 | whose buyers slaughter them without remorse. Those who sell them say, ‘Blessed be the LORD, for I am rich!’ Even their own shepherds have no compassion on them. For I will no longer have compassion on the people of the land, declares the LORD, but behold, I will cause each man to fall into the hands of his neighbor and his king, who will devastate the land, and I will not deliver it from their hands.” So I pastured the flock marked for slaughter, especially the afflicted of the flock. Then I took for myself two staffs, calling one Favor and the other Union, and I pastured the flock. And in one month I dismissed three shepherds. My soul grew impatient with the flock, and their souls also detested me. |
| 4 | Micah 6:10–12 | Can I forget any longer, O house of the wicked, the treasures of wickedness and the short ephah, which is accursed? Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights? For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths. |
| 5 | Psalms 49:11–13 | Their graves are their eternal homes— their dwellings for endless generations— even though their lands were their namesakes. But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of the self-confident and their followers who endorse their sayings. Selah |
| 6 | Exodus 15:9 | The enemy declared, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’ |
| 7 | Proverbs 28:4 | Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them. |
| 8 | Deuteronomy 29:19 | because when such a person hears the words of this oath, he invokes a blessing on himself, saying, ‘I will have peace, even though I walk in the stubbornness of my own heart.’ This will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. |
| 9 | Psalms 5:6 | You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit. |
| 10 | Job 31:24 | If I have put my trust in gold or called pure gold my security, |
Psalms 10:3 Summary
This verse describes a person who is proud of their sinful desires and pursuits, and who even celebrates the greed of others while showing contempt for God. This kind of attitude is the opposite of what God desires for us, as seen in Micah 6:8, where we are called to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. By contrast, the wicked person's heart is hardened against God and His ways, leading them down a path of destruction. As we reflect on this verse, we can ask God to search our own hearts and reveal any areas where we may be boasting in our own cravings or desires, and to help us cultivate a heart of humility and reverence for Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the wicked to boast in the cravings of his heart?
This phrase suggests that the wicked person is unashamedly proud of their sinful desires and pursuits, much like the unrighteous in Romans 1:28-32 who celebrate their own wickedness.
How does the wicked man's blessing of the greedy relate to his reviling of the LORD?
By blessing the greedy, the wicked man is essentially aligning himself with those who oppose God's values, as seen in Proverbs 28:25, and in doing so, he shows his contempt for the LORD and His ways.
Is this verse suggesting that all greedy people are wicked?
While greed is certainly a characteristic of the wicked, as seen in 1 Timothy 6:10, not all greedy people are necessarily wicked in the sense described here; however, this verse highlights the connection between greed, wickedness, and a disregard for God's laws.
How can we avoid being like the wicked man described in this verse?
To avoid being like the wicked, we must seek to align our hearts and desires with God's will, as expressed in Psalms 37:4, and cultivate a deep reverence for the LORD, as seen in Psalms 111:10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be unknowingly boasting in the cravings of my own heart, and how can I surrender these desires to God?
- How do I currently view and interact with those who are greedy or wicked, and what does this verse teach me about how I should respond to them?
- In what ways have I seen the wicked prosper in the world, and how can I trust in God's sovereignty and justice despite these appearances?
- What are some practical steps I can take to ensure that my heart is not hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, as warned against in Hebrews 3:13?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 10:3
For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire,.... As antichrist does of his universal power over all bishops and princes, which his heart was long desiring after; of his being Christ's vicar,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 10:3
For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire. The Hebrew for "heart's" is rather 'soul's [ napshow (H5315)].
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 10:3
Boasteth, or glorieth, or praiseth, or pleaseth himself. Of his heart’ s desire; or, in, or concerning, or because of the desire, or concupiscence, or lust of his heart, or soul; which word is added to note the vehemency and fervency of it. He glorieth in his very lusts, which are his shame, , and especially in the satisfaction of his desires, how wickedly soever he gets it. Desire is oft put for the thing desired, as 78:29,30. And blesseth the covetous; and as he applaudeth himself, so he commends others that are greedy after and get abundance of gain, though it be done by fraud and violence, accounting such the only happy men. Or, the covetous (the same with the wicked enlarging his desire, as was now said) blesseth, or applaudeth, or flattereth himself in what he hath already gotten, and in the confident expectation of the continuance and increase of his worldly wealth and glory. Whom the Lord abhorreth; so his judgment as well as practice is contrary to God’ s. Or rather, without any supplement, as it is in the margin, he abhorreth, or despiseth, or provoketh the Lord. He sets himself not only against men, but against God himself, as he declareth more fully in the next verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 10:3
Psalms 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart’ s desire, and blesseth the covetous, [whom] the LORD abhorreth. Ver. 3. For the wicked boasteth of his heart’ s desire] Though the soul of the wicked desire evil, Proverbs 21:10, yet he glorieth in it, as did that thrasonical Lamech, Genesis 4:23-24, and that pyrgopolynices Nebuchadnezzar, Isaiah 10:9-12 Daniel 4:30-31. See Psalms 52:1 Philippians 3:19. This the just and jealous God cannot bear, as neither that which followeth. And blesseth the covetous] Ut sapientem et providum, as a wise man and good husband. So they in Malachi, who said, "And now we count the proud happy," &c. Felix scelus virtus vocatur (Seneca). Whom the Lord abhorreth] Smiting his hands with indignation at his dishonest gain, Ezekiel 22:13, like as Balak did at Balsam, with whom he was deeply displeased, Numbers 24:10.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 10:3
(3) For the wicked boasteth.—Literally, for the wicked speaketh praise to the lust of his soul, which has been understood either as in the Authorised Version, “prides himself upon his evil desires;” or “prides himself in or according to his sinful wish,” as LXX., Vulg., Syriac, and Chaldee. The former of these follows most naturally on Psalms 10:2. His wiles, so successful in snaring his victim, are a cause of self-gratulation. The representation of the villain addressing his own evil passions in laudatory terms is highly poetic. So the rich fool in the parable congratulates his soul on his greed. And blesseth.—Rather, curseth by a common euphemism. (Comp. 1 Kings 21:23; Job 1:5.) The covetous—properly, robber—may either be subject or object, as also may “Jehovah;” or being a participle, may be adverbial (as Ewald). Hence we get, besides the Authorised Version and the margin, either, “the robber curses (and) despises Jehovah,” or, “he greedily (literally, robbing) curses, despises Jehovah;” the last makes a better echo to the first clause. The LXX. and Vulg. read, “The wicked is praised; the sinner has irritated the Lord,” getting the second subject from the next verse.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 10:3
Verse 3. Boasteth of his heart's desire] Boasts among his fellows how often he has gratified such and such passions, in such and such circumstances. This shows the excess of a depraved and imbruted spirit. He who can boast of his iniquity, is in the broad road to perdition. Should such a one repent and turn to God, it would be equal to any miracle. Blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.] Or, he blesseth the covetous, he abhorreth the Lord. Those who are like himself he commends, and with them he associates; and they abhor the Lord-they have a mortal hatred against every thing that is holy; and they are under the full influence of that carnal mind which is enmity to the Lord.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 10:3
3–11. The Psalmist justifies his complaint by a description of the reckless character (3–6) and the ruthless conduct (7–11) of the wicked man, and he traces them to their source in his virtual atheism. The alphabetic structure disappears in this section.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 10:3
For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire - Margin, as in Hebrew, soul’s.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 10:3
3. Blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth—Literally, he blesseth the covetous, and blasphemeth Jehovah. This preserves the antithesis.
Sermons on Psalms 10:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
God's Holiness - Part 4 by Richard Owen Roberts | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of holiness and the hatred of sin in the eyes of God. He quotes various Bible verses to support his message, including Luke 1 |
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Five Solemn Facts by Oswald J. Smith | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes five solemn facts about salvation. Firstly, not everyone will be saved, and the listeners are urged to reflect on their own standing. Secondl |
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The Soul of a Man by Manley Beasley | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He warns that those who do not believe in Jesus will face judgment at the great |
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Atlantic Lyman conf.1972-02 Studies in Daniel 04 by Joseph Balsan | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of King Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that he couldn't interpret, so he called upon Daniel |
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The Duty of Self-Denial by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches on the duty of self-denial, emphasizing the need for Christians to deny their own righteousness and trust only in Christ's righteousness for salvation. He wa |
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The Possession of the Saints' Rest Is Not on Earth by Richard Baxter | Richard Baxter preaches about the folly of seeking rest in earthly enjoyments rather than in God, highlighting the tendency to prioritize material blessings over spiritual growth. |
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Money: Servant or Master? by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman preaches about the dangers of placing our treasure in material wealth rather than in God, emphasizing that poverty does not equate to spirituality and the 'prosperity |