Psalms 140:10

10 "May 1burning coals fall upon them; May they be 2cast into the fire, Into deep pits from which they 3cannot rise.

Psalms 140:10 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 140:10

Let burning coals fall upon them
From heaven, as the Targum, Aben Ezra, and Kimchi, by way of explanation; alluding to the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah with fire from thence: and may design both the terrible judgments of God in this life, and everlasting burnings in hell; so Jarchi interprets it of the coals of hell; see ( Psalms 11:6 ) ( Psalms 18:8 Psalms 18:12 Psalms 18:13 ) ( Psalms 120:3 Psalms 120:4 ) ;

let them be cast into the fire;
into the fire of divine wrath, and have severe punishment inflicted on them in this world; and into the fire of hell hereafter, as the Targum, which is unquenchable and everlasting; and into which all wicked men, carnal professors, the followers of antichrist, the devil and his angels, will be cast: of the phrase of casting into hell, see ( Matthew 5:29 Matthew 5:30 ) ( Mark 9:45 Mark 9:47 ) ;

into deep pits, that they rise not up again;
meaning either the grave, the pit of corruption; from whence the wicked will not rise to eternal life, as the Targum adds, for though they will rise again, it will be to everlasting shame and damnation, ( Daniel 12:2 ) ( John 5:28 John 5:29 ) ; or else the pit of hell, the bottomless pit, from whence there will be no deliverance; where they must lie till the uttermost farthing is paid, and that will be for ever. Arama refers this to Korah, who was burnt and swallowed up, and rose not again in Israel.

Psalms 140:10 In-Context

8 "Do not grant, O LORD , the desires of the wicked; Do not promote his evil device, that they not be exalted. Selah.
9 "As for the head of those who surround me, May the mischief of their lips cover them.
10 "May burning coals fall upon them; May they be cast into the fire, Into deep pits from which they cannot rise.
11 "May a slanderer not be established in the earth; May evil hunt the violent man speedily."
12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted And justice for the poor.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Psalms 11:6
  • 2. Psalms 21:9; Matthew 3:10
  • 3. Psalms 36:12

Footnotes 1

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