to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed, that the men of the earth may strike terror no more.
Parallel translations
- WEB to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that man who is of the earth may terrify no more.
- KJV To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
- ESV to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.
- NKJV To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.
- NASB To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, So that mankind, which is of the earth, will no longer cause terror.
- NLT You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God acts to defend the fatherless and oppressed so that earthly tyrants terrify no more. Divine justice will finally end human oppression.
Overview
The psalm closes with confidence that God will vindicate the vulnerable and bring an end to the terror of 'man who is of the earth,' mere mortals who oppress. The reminder that the wicked are only earthbound creatures puts their power in perspective. It looks toward the day when God's justice removes all oppression.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Ps 9:9The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
- Ps 82:3Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.
- Isa 11:4but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.
- Ps 17:14from such men, O LORD, by Your hand—from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.
- Luke 18:7–8Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help?
- 1 Cor 15:47–48The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.
- Ps 94:1–6O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth.
- Ps 72:4May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.
- Luke 16:25But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.
- Ps 74:21Do not let the oppressed retreat in shame; may the poor and needy praise Your name.
- Ps 10:14But You have regarded trouble and grief; You see to repay it by Your hand. The victim entrusts himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.
- Phil 3:18–19For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 10:18 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.