Psalms 140:10

10 Let burning coals fall down on their heads. Let them be thrown into the fire or into watery pits from which they can’t escape.

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 LORD, do not let evil people have their way. Do not let their evil schemes succeed, or they will become proud. Interlude

9 Let my enemies be destroyed by the very evil they have planned for me.

10 Let burning coals fall down on their heads. Let them be thrown into the fire or into watery pits from which they can’t escape.

11 Don’t let liars prosper here in our land. Cause great disasters to fall on the violent.

12 But I know the LORD will help those they persecute; he will give justice to the poor.