Psalms 112:10

Psalms 112:10

Verse 10 completes the couple of the Psalm’s opening themes: “The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.” This is a poignant picture of judgment and reversal. The wicked are depicted as watching the righteous prosper—injustice exposed and thwarted—leading to grief and anger (gnashing of teeth). The phrase “melt away” conveys dissolution, not merely physical decay but moral collapse as they face the consequences of their own schemes. The verse frames history as a contest between the paths of the righteous and the wicked, with God ultimately establishing justice. It also offers a sober warning: prosperity of the righteous can provoke envy or hostility in others, but God will defend and bring about the rightful end.

The verse reinforces eschatological and moral themes: divine justice (God’s sovereignty over human affairs), moral accountability, and the ultimate vanity of worldly schemes against God’s purposes. The imagery of gnashing teeth occurs in both biblical literature as a sign of despair or judgment. This passage, while offering comfort to the righteous, also invites self-examination—are we living in such a way that others’ envy could turn to harm? It echoes Jesus’ teaching about the wide gap between present appearances and divine outcomes (Matthew 7:13-14). The righteous’ enduring prosperity is not a guarantee of ease for them, but a sign of God’s faithfulness to his promises.

When you observe others reacting with envy or hostility to your integrity, respond with humility and steadfastness rather than retaliation. Trust that God sees and will address injustice in his timing. Use any perceived advantage as an opportunity to bless others, not gloat. If confronted with bitterness from others, choose forgiveness and restraint. It’s also a reminder to keep motives pure; do not pursue success at the expense of character. In practice, celebrate the Lord’s blessings with a generous heart toward others and resist the temptation to compare or boast. The verse offers courage: God’s ultimate end for the wicked is not our concern to manipulate, but to trust in God’s just purposes and continue in faithful living.

Cross-References: Psalm 37:1-2; Proverbs 24:19-20; Matthew 7:21-23; James 1:12; Revelation 21:4