But worthless men are all like thorns that are thrown away, for they cannot be taken with the hand;
English Standard Version (ESV)
These "worthless men" aren't just bad guys; they're actively harmful and unusable, like thorns that injure anyone trying to grasp them. God's judgment is clear: such people will be swept aside and discarded, not because God hates them, but because their very nature makes them unfit for His kingdom.
But worthless men are all like thorns that are thrown away, for they cannot be taken with the hand;
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is the beginning of David's final words, a song of praise to God for His faithfulness. He's reflecting on his reign and contrasting the righteous, who are guided by God's Spirit, with the wicked who are like thorns, ultimately destined for destruction and unusable. This contrast sets the stage for David's earnest prayer for his people and his hope for a lasting dynasty.
David paints a stark picture here, calling some people 'worthless.' What makes them so dangerous, and why can't they be simply handled?
Thorns Among the Wheat
David uses a powerful metaphor: worthless people are like thorns. Think about thorns in a field or garden. They don't produce good fruit. They choke out the good plants and make the harvest difficult. They are unwanted and intrusive.
A Prickly Problem
These 'worthless' individuals (in the original language, the word can imply godlessness or impurity) are not just unproductive; they are actively harmful. The verse says they 'cannot be taken with the hand.' This isn't just about being difficult to grasp; it signifies that trying to handle them directly, to simply pick them out with your bare hands, is a painful and fruitless endeavor. They cause injury and resist any gentle or straightforward approach.
If worthless people are like thorns, what does it mean to have true worth in God's eyes? David contrasts these thorns with someone who honors him.
The King's True Worthy
David's statement isn't just a complaint; it's a setup for a contrast. He's about to speak of those who are valuable – those who honor God. True worth isn't about human approval or usefulness in a worldly sense. It's found in loyalty and integrity before God.
A Different Kind of Strength
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Unlike thorns that must be discarded, those who truly honor God are precious. They are valuable to God and, by extension, to His people. Their lives yield good fruit, not prickly harm. They are handled with care, not thrown away, because their foundation is in righteousness and devotion to the Almighty.
Understand the original words
beliyya'al · Hebrew Noun
A term often used in wisdom literature and historical narrative to describe those who are morally corrupt, rebellious, or lacking spiritual integrity, standing in opposition to God’s order.
qowts · Hebrew Noun
A symbolic term in Scripture frequently denoting sin, the curse, or the remnants of a fallen world that cause pain and must be cleared away by God's judgment.
This passage echoes David's description of his enemies as 'worthless' or 'a worthless thing,' showing a consistent theme of discerning true character before God.
Psalm 37:1-2This Psalm directly contrasts the fate of the wicked, who are like grass that withers, with the righteous, paralleling the idea that those who are 'worthless' will not endure.
Proverbs 10:7This proverb speaks to the impermanence of the wicked, stating that their memory will decay, reinforcing the idea that worthless individuals and their influence are ultimately discarded.
Matthew 7:19Jesus uses a similar metaphor, comparing those who do not bear good fruit to trees that are cut down and thrown into the fire, illustrating the ultimate rejection of what is worthless.
These "worthless men" aren't just bad guys; they're actively harmful and unusable, like thorns that injure anyone trying to grasp them. God's judgment is clear: such people will be swept aside and discarded, not because God hates them, but because their very nature makes them unfit for His kingdom.
This passage is the beginning of David's final words, a song of praise to God for His faithfulness. He's reflecting on his reign and contrasting the righteous, who are guided by God's Spirit, with the wicked who are like thorns, ultimately destined for destruction and unusable. This contrast sets the stage for David's earnest prayer for his people and his hope for a lasting dynasty.
This passage is the beginning of David's final words, a song of praise to God for His faithfulness. He's reflecting on his reign and contrasting the righteous, who are guided by God's Spirit, with the wicked who are like thorns, ultimately destined for destruction and unusable. This contrast sets the stage for David's earnest prayer for his people and his hope for a lasting dynasty.
"But worthless men are all like thorns that are thrown away, for they cannot be taken with the hand;" — These "worthless men" aren't just bad guys; they're actively harmful and unusable, like thorns that injure anyone trying to grasp them. God's judgment is clear: such people will be swept aside and di…
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Last reviewed October 2026