Psalms 10:9

9 He lurks in secret like a lion in a thicket. He lurks in order to seize the afflicted. He seizes the afflicted and drags him in his net.^[a]

Psalms 10:9 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 10:9

He lieth in wait secretly as a lion
The first beast in ( Revelation 13:2 ) ; is said to have a mouth like a lion, and the second beast in ( Psalms 10:11 ) ; spake like a dragon; and both design one and the same, antichrist, in his twofold capacity, civil and ecclesiastical; this metaphor of the lion lying in wait secretly for his prey denotes the insidious methods used by antichrist to destroy the faithful witnesses of Christ; who lies like a lion

in his den,
in the temple of God, now become a den of thieves;

he lieth in wait to catch the poor:
to snatch and carry them away captive as his prey; see ( Revelation 13:10 ) ;

he doth catch the poor when he draweth him into his net;
this metaphor is taken from fowlers, who spread nets, into which they allure and draw the birds and catch them. The allurements, snares, and nets, which antichrist lays to catch the poor saints and people of God in, are the riches and honours of this world, great pretensions to holiness, devotion; and religion, and many lying signs and wonders.

Psalms 10:9 In-Context

7 Cursing, deceit, and violence fill his mouth; trouble and malice are under his tongue.

8 He waits in ambush near the villages; he kills the innocent in secret places; his eyes are on the lookout for the helpless.

9 He lurks in secret like a lion in a thicket. He lurks in order to seize the afflicted. He seizes the afflicted and drags him in his net.

10 He crouches and bends down; the helpless fall because of his strength.

11 He says to himself, "God has forgotten; He hides His face and will never see."

Footnotes

• [a]. Ps 17:11-12