In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't just describe the wicked acting out of pride, but highlights how their very pride causes the poor to suffer, as if consumed by an internal fire ignited by the wicked's arrogance. This subtle wording shifts the focus from mere actions to the destructive force of pride itself, showing how it "burns" those who are already vulnerable.
In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm begins with the psalmist crying out to God, asking why He seems distant and inactive in times of trouble. The immediate context is a description of the wicked who, filled with arrogance, relentlessly oppress the vulnerable and poor, highlighting the injustice and suffering that prompts this desperate plea. The focus here is on the cruel arrogance of oppressors and the resulting plight of those they target.
Ever wonder why some people seem to delight in tearing others down? This verse points to a root issue: pride.
The psalm describes the wicked person's pursuit of the poor not just as a simple act of oppression, but as something fueled by intense pride. This isn't just about having a bad attitude; it's a deep-seated arrogance that makes the wicked feel superior and entitled to dominate.
The Nature of the Pursuit
The psalm opens with a cry to God. Why does it seem like He's absent when the wicked are having their way?
The first part of Psalm 10 (though not explicitly in verse 2, it sets the stage) voices a question: 'Why do you stand far off, O Lord? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?' (Psalm 10:1).
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Wrestling with God's Silence
What happens when the wicked's plans to harm others actually become their own undoing?
The latter part of verse 2 contains a powerful prophetic statement, which can be read as either a prayer or a declaration of God's future justice: 'let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.'
The Trap of Their Own Making
Understand the original words
rasha · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Refers to those who act in defiance of God's moral law; they are characterized by their opposition to God and His people, often manifesting as pride and cruelty.
ani · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Usually refers to the economically disadvantaged or those who are socially marginalized, often portrayed in the Psalms as those who rely solely on God for vindication.
ga'avah · Hebrew Noun
Involves an inflated sense of self-importance that leads to rebellion against God and oppression of others; it is the fundamental root of sin.
Psalm 10 paints a picture of persistent oppression where the arrogant and wealthy exploit the vulnerable. The historical context reveals a recurring pattern throughout Israel's history: periods of instability, division, and exile often intensified social injustices, making the cry against those who 'devise wicked schemes' particularly relevant.
c. 1015 BC - 975 BC— this verse
David's Reign as King of Israel
David's kingship was marked by internal strife and external threats. He faced numerous enemies and challenges, often relying on God for deliverance, which forms the backdrop for many Psalms reflecting personal hardship and divine justice.
c. 975 BC - 931 BC
Solomon's Reign and Temple Building
Solomon's reign brought prosperity but also led to later division. The psalm's themes of injustice and God's perceived absence might reflect ongoing social inequalities or the challenges faced by those who remained faithful during this period.
931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
After Solomon's death, the united kingdom split into Israel (north) and Judah (south). This division created decades of conflict and political instability, exacerbating the suffering of the poor and vulnerable.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, deporting many inhabitants. This catastrophic event led to widespread suffering and displacement, leaving many to question God's justice.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling much of the population. This period of profound national trauma intensified the lamentations and pleas for justice found in the Psalms.
This passage highlights that schemes and plans are ultimately futile against God's sovereign will, echoing the idea that the wicked's devices will not succeed.
Psalm 7:15This verse directly parallels the idea of wicked plots backfiring on their perpetrators, showing a consistent theme of divine justice in the Psalms.
Luke 18:9-14Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector contrasts prideful self-righteousness with humble repentance, illustrating the 'pride' mentioned in the verse and God's preference for the lowly.
James 2:5-7This passage speaks directly to the preferential treatment of the rich and the oppression of the poor by the wealthy, reflecting the societal dynamics described in the verse.
Matthew 23:12Jesus' words about the last being first and the first being last directly challenge the arrogance of those who exalt themselves and oppress others, mirroring the Psalmist's critique.
calvinPsalms 10:1-2: "Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?"
Why standest thou afar off, O Jehovah? and winkest at seasonable times in trouble? [188] 2. The ungodly in his pride doth persecute the poor; [189] let them be caught in the devices [190] which they imagine.
Lord, why standest thou afar off? We here see how the prophet, seeking a remedy for his calamities, which were apparently past hope, directly addresses himself to God at the very commenc…
gillPsalms 10:2: "The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined."
The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor,.... The "poor" is the good and gracious man, who is commonly poor in this world's things, and is sensibly poor in spirit, or sensible of his spiritual poverty; or he is so called because "afflicted", as the word signifies; and he is afflicted because he is poor: these two characters generally go together. The "wicked" man is t…
The verse doesn't just describe the wicked acting out of pride, but highlights how their very pride causes the poor to suffer, as if consumed by an internal fire ignited by the wicked's arrogance. This subtle wording shifts the focus from mere actions to the destructive force of pride itself, showing how it "burns" those who are already vulnerable.
This psalm begins with the psalmist crying out to God, asking why He seems distant and inactive in times of trouble. The immediate context is a description of the wicked who, filled with arrogance, relentlessly oppress the vulnerable and poor, highlighting the injustice and suffering that prompts this desperate plea. The focus here is on the cruel arrogance of oppressors and the resulting plight of those they target.
This psalm begins with the psalmist crying out to God, asking why He seems distant and inactive in times of trouble. The immediate context is a description of the wicked who, filled with arrogance, relentlessly oppress the vulnerable and poor, highlighting the injustice and suffering that prompts this desperate plea. The focus here is on the cruel arrogance of oppressors and the resulting plight of those they target.
"In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised." — The verse doesn't just describe the wicked acting out of pride, but highlights how their very pride causes the poor to suffer, as if consumed by an internal fire ignited by the wicked's arrogance…
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Last reviewed October 2026