To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
Parallel translations
- WEB to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that man who is of the earth may terrify no more.
- BSB to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed, that the men of the earth may strike terror no more.
- 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 also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
- Ps 82:3Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
- Isa 11:4But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
- Ps 17:14From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
- Luke 18:7–8And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
- 1 Cor 15:47–48The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
- Ps 94:1–6O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
- Ps 72:4He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
- Luke 16:25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
- Ps 74:21O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.
- Ps 10:14Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.
- Phil 3:18–19(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
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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
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