Psalms 140:10

10 Let 1burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into fire, into miry pits, no more to 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 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah
9 As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
10 Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into fire, into miry pits, no more to rise!
11 Let not the slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!
12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy.

Cross References 1

  • 1. [Psalms 11:6; Psalms 18:13]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.