On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "vileness is exalted" is a powerful, almost paradoxical, statement. It's not just that wicked people are in power, but that the very quality of vileness itself—the lying, the deceit, the cruelty—is being celebrated and lifted up as something valuable or desirable by society.
On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Psalmist begins by lamenting the spiritual decay and deception prevalent in his community, where honest speech is scarce and flattering words abound. Following this outcry against deceit, he proclaims God's unwavering faithfulness and the preservation of His word, contrasting it with the transient nature of human deception. This verse then returns to the stark reality of pervasive wickedness, painting a picture of ungodly people operating freely and a society where corrupt individuals are elevated to positions of power and influence.
Ever feel like you're surrounded by people who just aren't playing by the rules? This verse paints a picture of that very reality.
The first part of the verse, 'On every side the wicked prowl,' isn't just a poetic observation; it describes a tangible, pervasive reality.
A World Overwhelmed
This imagery calls to mind a feeling of being hemmed in, a sense that wherever you turn, you encounter the influence or actions of those who disregard what is right.
What happens when bad actors aren't just present, but are put in positions of power and influence?
The second half of the verse, 'as vileness is exalted among the children of man,' shifts from the presence of the wicked to the status they achieve.
Ask a follow-up
When Wrong Becomes Right
Understand the original words
rasha' · Hebrew Noun
Refers to those who are morally corrupt, lawless, or ethically twisted. In a biblical context, it characterizes those who act in defiance of God's moral law and oppress the righteous.
zullut · Hebrew Noun
Something base, morally worthless, or shameful. It characterizes conduct or character that is repulsive to God and opposed to His holiness.
ben-adam · Hebrew Noun
Refers to humanity in general, often emphasizing their fragility, mortality, or tendency toward rebellion when apart from God.
This Psalm was likely written during a period of deep social and political decay, possibly in Judah during the 8th century BC, when Assyrian power was expanding. The 'wicked' described aren't just individuals but a pervasive societal rot where corrupt leaders and practices were not only tolerated but celebrated, creating an environment of oppression for the faithful.
c. 1000 BC - 950 BC
Reign of Solomon and growing corruption
The latter part of Solomon's reign saw increasing political intrigue, foreign wives, and the introduction of foreign religious practices, contributing to a general decline in moral and spiritual integrity within Israel.
c. 975 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united monarchy split into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, leading to increased internal strife and political instability.
c. 8th Century BC
Prophetic Warnings and Social Critique
Prophets like Amos and Hosea in the Northern Kingdom fiercely condemned the corruption, injustice, and idolatry prevalent in society, highlighting the 'exaltation of vileness' and the pervasive wickedness.
c. 740 BC— this verse
Assyrian Imperialism on the Rise
The growing power of the Neo-Assyrian Empire cast a shadow over the region, creating an atmosphere of fear and political maneuvering as smaller kingdoms sought to maintain their independence.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and the Northern Kingdom
The Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrian Empire, leading to the exile of its people and a stark warning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah about the consequences of unfaithfulness.
This passage highlights the foundational collapse of justice when the wicked are in power, echoing the idea in Psalms 12:8 that 'vileness is exalted' and the wicked roam freely.
Proverbs 28:28This proverb directly contrasts the fate of the wicked who are exalted and the righteous who hide, reflecting the same concern in Psalms 12:8 about the dangerous rise of corrupt individuals.
Isaiah 5:20This prophetic indictment describes a perversion of values where evil is called good and good is called evil, mirroring the Psalmist's lament in 12:8 about vileness being exalted among people.
1 Peter 5:8This verse compares the devil to a roaring lion seeking someone to devour, which aligns with the imagery of the wicked 'prowling on every side' in Psalms 12:8, emphasizing their constant, predatory activity.
calvinPsalms 12:7-8: "Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."
Thou, O Jehovah, wilt keep them; thou wilt preserve him from this generation for ever. 8. The ungodly walk about on every side; when they are exalted, there is reproach to the children of men.
Thou, O Jehovah. Some think that the language of the Psalmist here is that of renewed prayer; and they, therefore, understand the words as expressive of his desire, and translate them in the optat…
clarkePsalms 12:8: "The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted."
The wicked walk on every side - The land is full of them. When the vilest men are exalted; rather, As villany gains ground among the sons of Adam. See the Hebrew. The Vulgate has, "In circuito impii ambulant; secundum altitudinem tuam multiplicasti filios hominum;" which is thus translated and paraphrased in my old MS.: - Trans. In umgang wiked gos: eftir thy heenes thu has multiplied the sons of man. Par - Us thy ke…
The phrase "vileness is exalted" is a powerful, almost paradoxical, statement. It's not just that wicked people are in power, but that the very quality of vileness itself—the lying, the deceit, the cruelty—is being celebrated and lifted up as something valuable or desirable by society.
The Psalmist begins by lamenting the spiritual decay and deception prevalent in his community, where honest speech is scarce and flattering words abound. Following this outcry against deceit, he proclaims God's unwavering faithfulness and the preservation of His word, contrasting it with the transient nature of human deception. This verse then returns to the stark reality of pervasive wickedness, painting a picture of ungodly people operating freely and a society where corrupt individuals are elevated to positions of power and influence.
The Psalmist begins by lamenting the spiritual decay and deception prevalent in his community, where honest speech is scarce and flattering words abound. Following this outcry against deceit, he proclaims God's unwavering faithfulness and the preservation of His word, contrasting it with the transient nature of human deception. This verse then returns to the stark reality of pervasive wickedness, painting a picture of ungodly people operating freely and a society where corrupt individuals are elevated to positions of power and influence.
"On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man." — The phrase "vileness is exalted" is a powerful, almost paradoxical, statement. It's not just that wicked people are in power, but that the very quality of vileness itself—the lying, the deceit, the…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026