Psalms 55:10
Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
Psalms 55:10
Verse 10 expands the portrait of a city under siege by persistent mischief. The speaker notes that day and night they “go about” on the walls, suggesting constant surveillance, patrols, and the omnipresent danger of social chaos. The imagery evokes a city under siege by traitors or internal conspirators who use the city’s own spaces—walls, gates, streets—to propagate harm. The verse emphasizes not just individual hostility but systemic, pervasive corruption—mischief and sorrow seated in the public life and infrastructure. This is not merely a personal grievance but a critique of the social order where deceit and harm have become habitual, visible, and inescapable.
The verse highlights how sin distorts communal life and turns ordinary spaces into theaters of harm. It points to the biblical tension between human agency and divine sovereignty: people persist in wrongdoing even when they walk in broad daylight. Yet the psalmist’s narrative keeps faith in God’s justice, recognizing that ongoing social decay requires divine intervention. The image also anticipates prophetic calls to social righteousness, where the integrity of the streets and city life reflects the character of the king and, ultimately, God’s rule. It’s a reminder that sin sickens communities, and restoration begins with truth-telling, accountability, and a right ordering of social life under God.
If you’re noticing corruption or toxic patterns in your city, workplace, or church—where harm is normalized—this verse invites you to name it clearly and seek reform. Practical steps: document patterns of manipulation, gather trustworthy witnesses, and pursue accountability through appropriate channels. It also calls for prayerful diligence: intercede for leaders to act justly and for communities to recover trust. In everyday life, guard shared spaces—neighborhoods, social media, or school environments—from “walls” that become barriers of hostility. Encourage transparency, restorative practices, and conflict resolution processes. This verse encourages hope that, while evil may seem entrenched, sustained, righteous action and prayer align with God’s purposes to usher healing into the social fabric.
Cross-References: Jeremiah 6:6-7; Proverbs 11:11; Isaiah 1:4; Luke 11:17-18