Psalms 109:10
Psalms 109:10 in Multiple Translations
May his children wander as beggars, seeking sustenance far from their ruined homes.
Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.
Let his children be vagabonds, and beg; And let them seek their bread out of their desolate places.
Let his children be wanderers, looking to others for their food; let them be sent away from the company of their friends.
May his children be homeless, wandering beggars, driven from their ruined houses.
Let his children be vagabonds and beg and seeke bread, comming out of their places destroyed.
And wander continually do his sons, Yea, they have begged, And have sought out of their dry places.
Let his children be wandering beggars. Let them be sought from their ruins.
Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.
Cause that his children will be forced to leave the ruined homes that they have been living in and wander around begging for food.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 109:10
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 109:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/נ֤וֹעַ
יָנ֣וּעוּ
בָנָ֣י/ו
וְ/שִׁאֵ֑לוּ
וְ֝/דָרְשׁ֗וּ
מֵ/חָרְבוֹתֵי/הֶֽם
וְ/נ֤וֹעַ
nûwaʻ
H5128
to shake
Conj | V-Qal-Ptc
יָנ֣וּעוּ
nûwaʻ
H5128
to shake
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
בָנָ֣י/ו
bên
H1121
son
N-mp | Suff
וְ/שִׁאֵ֑לוּ
shâʼal
H7592
to ask
Conj | V-Piel-3cp
וְ֝/דָרְשׁ֗וּ
dârash
H1875
to seek
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
מֵ/חָרְבוֹתֵי/הֶֽם
chorbâh
H2723
desolation
Prep | N-fp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 109:10
וְ/נ֤וֹעַ
nûwaʻ
H5128
"to shake"
Conj | V-Qal-Ptc
To shake means to move back and forth, like trembling with fear, as described in the book of Isaiah. It can also mean to be unstable or to wander, like the Israelites in the wilderness.
Definition: 1) to quiver, totter, shake, reel, stagger, wander, move, sift, make move, wave, waver, tremble 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to wave, quiver, vibrate, swing, stagger, tremble, be unstable 1a2) to totter, go tottering 1a2a) vagabond (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be tossed about or around 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to toss about 1c2) to shake, cause to totter 1c3) to shake, disturb 1c4) to cause to wander
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: continually, fugitive, [idiom] make, to (go) up and down, be gone away, (be) move(-able, -d), be promoted, reel, remove, scatter, set, shake, sift, stagger, to and fro, be vagabond, wag, (make) wander (up and down). See also: Genesis 4:12; Psalms 109:25; Psalms 22:8.
יָנ֣וּעוּ
nûwaʻ
H5128
"to shake"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To shake means to move back and forth, like trembling with fear, as described in the book of Isaiah. It can also mean to be unstable or to wander, like the Israelites in the wilderness.
Definition: 1) to quiver, totter, shake, reel, stagger, wander, move, sift, make move, wave, waver, tremble 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to wave, quiver, vibrate, swing, stagger, tremble, be unstable 1a2) to totter, go tottering 1a2a) vagabond (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be tossed about or around 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to toss about 1c2) to shake, cause to totter 1c3) to shake, disturb 1c4) to cause to wander
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: continually, fugitive, [idiom] make, to (go) up and down, be gone away, (be) move(-able, -d), be promoted, reel, remove, scatter, set, shake, sift, stagger, to and fro, be vagabond, wag, (make) wander (up and down). See also: Genesis 4:12; Psalms 109:25; Psalms 22:8.
בָנָ֣י/ו
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
וְ/שִׁאֵ֑לוּ
shâʼal
H7592
"to ask"
Conj | V-Piel-3cp
To ask or inquire, this Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe seeking information or requesting something. It can also mean to beg or borrow, and is used in many different contexts throughout the Old Testament. The KJV translates it as ask, beg, or borrow.
Definition: 1) to ask, enquire, borrow, beg 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to ask, ask for 1a2) to ask (as a favour), borrow 1a3) to enquire, enquire of 1a4) to enquire of, consult (of deity, oracle) 1a5) to seek 1b) (Niphal) to ask for oneself, ask leave of absence 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to enquire, enquire carefully 1c2) to beg, practise beggary 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to be given on request 1d2) to grant, make over to, let (one) ask (successfully) or give or lend on request (then) grant or make over to Aramaic equivalent: she.el (שְׁאֵל "to ask" H7593)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish. See also: Genesis 24:47; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 2:8.
וְ֝/דָרְשׁ֗וּ
dârash
H1875
"to seek"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
To seek or ask is the meaning of this Hebrew word, often used to describe seeking God or worshiping him. It can also mean to investigate or enquire about something.
Definition: 1) to resort to, seek, seek with care, enquire, require 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to resort to, frequent (a place), (tread a place) 1a2) to consult, enquire of, seek 1a2a) of God 1a2b) of heathen gods, necromancers 1a3) to seek deity in prayer and worship 1a3a) God 1a3b) heathen deities 1a4) to seek (with a demand), demand, require 1a5) to investigate, enquire 1a6) to ask for, require, demand 1a7) to practice, study, follow, seek with application 1a8) to seek with care, care for 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to allow oneself to be enquired of, consulted (only of God) 1b2) to be sought, be sought out 1b3) to be required (of blood)
Usage: Occurs in 152 OT verses. KJV: ask, [idiom] at all, care for, [idiom] diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-) mancer, question, require, search, seek (for, out), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 9:5; Ezra 10:16; Psalms 9:11.
מֵ/חָרְבוֹתֵי/הֶֽם
chorbâh
H2723
"desolation"
Prep | N-fp | Suff
This word refers to a place that has been laid waste or destroyed, often due to war or disaster. In the Bible, it is used to describe the consequences of sin and disobedience. The prophet Ezekiel used this word to describe a desolate city.
Definition: a place laid waste, ruin, waste, desolation
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: decayed place, desolate (place, -tion), destruction, (laid) waste (place). See also: Leviticus 26:31; Jeremiah 27:17; Psalms 9:7.
Study Notes — Psalms 109:10
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 109:10 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 109:10
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 109:10
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 109:10
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 109:10
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 109:10
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 109:10
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 109:10
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 109:10
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 109:10
- Sermons on Psalms 109:10
Context — The Song of the Slandered
8May his days be few; may another take his position.
9May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.
10May his children wander as beggars, seeking sustenance far from their ruined homes.
11May the creditor seize all he owns, and strangers plunder the fruits of his labor. 12May there be no one to extend kindness to him, and no one to favor his fatherless children.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 37:25 | I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread. |
| 2 | Genesis 4:12–14 | When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” But Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, this day You have driven me from the face of the earth, and from Your face I will be hidden; I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” |
| 3 | Isaiah 16:2 | Like fluttering birds pushed out of the nest, so are the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon: |
| 4 | Job 24:8–12 | Drenched by mountain rains, they huddle against the rocks for want of shelter. The fatherless infant is snatched from the breast; the nursing child of the poor is seized for a debt. Without clothing, they wander about naked. They carry the sheaves, but still go hungry. They crush olives within their walls; they tread the winepresses, but go thirsty. From the city, men groan, and the souls of the wounded cry out, yet God charges no one with wrongdoing. |
| 5 | Psalms 59:15 | They scavenge for food, and growl if they are not satisfied. |
| 6 | 2 Kings 5:27 | Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!” And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous—as white as snow. |
| 7 | 2 Samuel 3:29 | May it whirl over the heads of Joab and the entire house of his father, and may the house of Joab never be without one having a discharge or skin disease, or one who leans on a staff or falls by the sword or lacks food.” |
| 8 | Job 30:3–9 | Gaunt from poverty and hunger, they gnawed the dry land, and the desolate wasteland by night. They plucked mallow among the shrubs, and the roots of the broom tree were their food. They were banished from among men, shouted down like thieves, so that they lived on the slopes of the wadis, among the rocks and in holes in the ground. They cried out among the shrubs and huddled beneath the nettles. A senseless and nameless brood, they were driven off the land. And now they mock me in song; I have become a byword among them. |
Psalms 109:10 Summary
This verse is a prayer that the children of the wicked would face hardship and struggle, seeking food and shelter far from their homes. However, as Christians, we are called to trust in God's justice and love, and to pray for the salvation of those who are lost, as in 1 Timothy 2:3-4 and 2 Peter 3:9. We can learn from this verse to trust in God's sovereignty and to pray for those who are struggling, even if they are not believers, as in Psalm 107:41 and Acts 10:34-35. By doing so, we can show love and kindness to all people, just as God does, as seen in Matthew 5:45 and Luke 6:35-36.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Psalmist pray for such severe punishment on the wicked, including their children?
The Psalmist is not expressing personal vengeance, but rather a desire for God's justice to be upheld, as seen in Psalm 109:8-12, and for the wicked to face the consequences of their actions, as stated in Proverbs 26:27 and Jeremiah 2:19.
Does this verse imply that God is cruel to children?
No, God's character is one of love and compassion, as seen in Psalm 103:13 and Matthew 18:10, but He also upholds justice and allows the consequences of sin to be felt, as seen in Exodus 34:7 and Deuteronomy 5:9-10.
How can I balance a desire for justice with a call to love my enemies, as in Matthew 5:44?
As Christians, we are called to trust in God's sovereignty and justice, as seen in Romans 12:19, and to love our enemies, while also recognizing that God will ultimately bring about justice, as stated in Psalm 37:28 and Revelation 20:11-15.
Is it okay to pray for bad things to happen to people who have wronged me?
While it's natural to feel upset or angry when wronged, our prayers should be guided by a desire for God's will to be done, as seen in Matthew 6:10, and for the salvation and repentance of those who have wronged us, as stated in Luke 6:27-28 and 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can trust in God's justice when I see wickedness prevailing around me?
- How can I balance my desire for justice with a call to forgive those who have wronged me, as in Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13?
- What are some practical ways I can show love and kindness to those who may be suffering, even if they are not believers, as in Galatians 6:10 and 1 John 3:17-18?
- How can I use this verse as a reminder to pray for those who are struggling, including those who may be experiencing poverty or hardship, as in Psalm 41:1 and James 1:27?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 109:10
Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg,.... Wander from place to place, begging their bread: this is denied of the children of good men in David's time, Psalms 37:25 yet was threatened to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 109:10
Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 109:10
Vagabonds; having no certain place of abode; which is a grievous curse in itself, ,14 Isaiah 16:2. And beg: this increaseth their misery. Desolate places; into which they are fled for fear and shame, as not daring to show their faces amongst men.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 109:10
Psalms 109:10 Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek [their bread] also out of their desolate places.Ver. 10. Let his children be continually vagabonds] Let them wandering wander, as Genesis 4:12 Cain’ s curse. Let them rogue about, - et timida voce rogare cibos. This is many times a token of God’ s wrath. Out of their desolate places] Or, for that their places are desolate, and will afford them no help.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 109:10
(10) Be continually vagabonds.—“Wander and wander about” would better reproduce the original. Desolate places.—Rather, ruins. They are imagined creeping out of the ruins of their homes to beg. But there was a different reading, followed by the LXX. and Vulg., “let them be driven out of their homes.” This reading involves but a slight literal change. Comp., “Worse evil yet I pray for on my spouse; Let him still live, through strange towns roam in want, Exiled, suspected, cowering, with no home.” SENECA: Med., i. 19.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 109:10
Verse 10. Let his children - beg] The father having lost his office, the children must necessarily be destitute; and this is the hardest lot to which any can become subject, after having been born to the expectation of an ample fortune.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 109:10
10. let them seek &c.] And seek (their bread) far from their ruined home. Let the wicked man’s home become a ruin, and his children have to get their living away from it. The LXX however points to the reading, and let them be driven out of their ruined home.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 109:10
Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg - Let them continually wander about with no home - no fixed habitation. Let them be compelled to ask their daily food at the hand of charity.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 109:10
10. Continually vagabonds—Hebrew, wandering, his sons shall wander: without a fixed habitation, homeless: the condition to which David had been already reduced by the treachery and falsehood of his enemy.
Sermons on Psalms 109:10
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
An Old Doctor's Spiritual Prescription by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the fear and worry that people experience in a world filled with tension and uncertainty. He emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's pr |
|
Protection in the Coming Storm by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on his experience growing up during the Great Depression and the lessons he learned about relying on God during times of trouble. He references |
|
Proverbs 10-11 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the contrast between the diligent and the lazy. He emphasizes that the lazy person will end up poor, while the diligent person will become ri |
|
Prepare Now to Face Tomorrow’s Fears by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the dilemma faced by believers when they encounter challenges that seem insurmountable. He emphasizes the importance of choosing to believe G |
|
02 New Wine in New Wineskins Life and Fellowship by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of living a life modeled after Jesus, focusing on the divine life and fellowship that comes from being saved by His life. It highlights the ne |
|
Self-Denial - Part 2 by Joshua Daniel | This sermon emphasizes the call to discipleship by Jesus Christ, focusing on denying oneself, taking up the cross daily, and following Him. It highlights the importance of self-den |
|
17 - God's Exacting Provision by Ben Torrey | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the process of building a community of people with a common purpose. They express their enjoyment in connecting with individuals who have beco |