His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that the wicked person's "ways" consistently "prosper" or are "firm," not necessarily in a morally good sense, but in their smooth, uninterrupted path of evil. This prosperity leads them to believe God's judgments are too distant to matter, so they contemptuously dismiss any who oppose them, as if with a mere breath.
His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm laments the wicked person who oppresses the poor and boasts in their own strength. The psalmist questions God's justice, observing the ungodly person's apparent success and their disdain for divine judgment. This verse describes the wicked individual's unshakeable confidence in their prosperous schemes and their utter contempt for anyone who opposes them, believing themselves untouchable.
It's baffling when bad people seem to get everything they want. This verse dives into that very frustration.
The first part of verse 5, "His ways prosper at all times," speaks to the perplexing reality that the ungodly often seem to experience consistent success. This isn't just about occasional good luck; it's about a sustained ability to achieve their goals and live without apparent hardship.
This prosperity isn't necessarily a sign of God's favor, but rather a reflection of their unhindered pursuit of wicked desires. They aren't burdened by conscience or held back by fear of consequence, allowing them to operate with a certain 'firmness' or 'steadfastness' in their evil ways. This often leaves godly people confused and questioning God's justice.
Why doesn't God intervene immediately? This verse explains the ungodly perspective on divine justice.
The phrase "your judgments are on high, out of his sight" reveals the wicked person's mindset regarding God's justice. They perceive God's judgments as being so far removed, so distant, that they don't impact their lives or influence their actions. It's as if God is up in heaven, uninvolved and unaware of their wicked deeds.
This isn't necessarily because God is out of sight, but because the ungodly choose not to see or acknowledge Him. Their focus is on their own success and power, blinding them to the reality of divine oversight and the certainty of future accountability. They live with a false sense of impunity.
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What does it mean to 'puff' at your enemies? It's more than just a dismissive gesture.
The final phrase, "as for all his foes, he puffs at them," paints a vivid picture of extreme arrogance and contempt. The Hebrew word suggests a breath, a puff of air, implying that the ungodly person believes their enemies are so insignificant they can be swept away with a mere exhale.
This isn't just verbal boasting; it's a deep-seated conviction that they are powerful enough to overcome any opposition. They scorn God, they scorn His people, and they scorn any threat to their own agenda. Their prosperity and perceived distance from God's judgment fuel this arrogant confidence, making them believe they are untouchable.
Understand the original words
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
Refers to God's righteous decisions, laws, or acts of justice by which He governs the world and settles the disputes between the righteous and the unrighteous.
This passage describes the psalmist's own struggle with observing the prosperity of the wicked, mirroring the observation in Psalm 10:5 that the wicked seem to flourish. It highlights the internal conflict this creates for those who try to live righteously.
Job 21:7-15Job's friends grapple with why the wicked prosper, a theme echoed in Psalm 10:5. Job himself questions God's justice when observing that the wicked seem to live lives of ease and security, unbothered by divine judgment.
Isaiah 26:10-11This passage speaks of the wicked showing no regard for God's majesty, a sentiment that aligns with the idea in Psalm 10:5 that God's judgments are 'far above out of his sight.' The wicked are described as refusing to learn when God's hand is lifted in judgment.
Luke 12:16-21Jesus' parable of the rich fool illustrates the mindset described in Psalm 10:5-6, where a person's wealth and success lead them to believe they are secure and beyond the reach of any judgment or change, storing up treasures for themselves without regard for God.
Proverbs 1:22This verse speaks of fools loving their folly and mockers delighting in mockery, which connects to the 'puffing at them' attitude of the wicked in Psalm 10:5. It shows that this scorn and overconfidence are characteristic of those who reject wisdom and God's ways.
calvinPsalms 10:5-6: "His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them."
- His ways are prosperous at all times; on high are thy judgments before him; he puffeth at all his enemies. 6. He saith in his heart, I shall not be moved from generation to generation, because he is not in adversity.
There is a great diversity of opinion among interpreters respecting the first clause of this verse. The translators of the Septuagint version…
gillPsalms 10:5: "His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them."
His ways are always grievous,.... To God and to his people; or, "his ways cause terror" (a), so Aben Ezra; make men fear; as antichrist has made the whole world tremble at him, Revelation 13:4 ; or, "his ways are defiled", as the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin render it; for to him is nothing pure, his mind and conscience being defiled, Titus 1:15 ; or, "his ways…
The verse highlights that the wicked person's "ways" consistently "prosper" or are "firm," not necessarily in a morally good sense, but in their smooth, uninterrupted path of evil. This prosperity leads them to believe God's judgments are too distant to matter, so they contemptuously dismiss any who oppose them, as if with a mere breath.
This psalm laments the wicked person who oppresses the poor and boasts in their own strength. The psalmist questions God's justice, observing the ungodly person's apparent success and their disdain for divine judgment. This verse describes the wicked individual's unshakeable confidence in their prosperous schemes and their utter contempt for anyone who opposes them, believing themselves untouchable.
This psalm laments the wicked person who oppresses the poor and boasts in their own strength. The psalmist questions God's justice, observing the ungodly person's apparent success and their disdain for divine judgment. This verse describes the wicked individual's unshakeable confidence in their prosperous schemes and their utter contempt for anyone who opposes them, believing themselves untouchable.
"His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them." — The verse highlights that the wicked person's "ways" consistently "prosper" or are "firm," not necessarily in a morally good sense, but in their smooth, uninterrupted path of evil. This prosperity le…
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Last reviewed October 2026