Psalms 73:6
Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
Psalm 73:6
“Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.” The imagery is tactile: pride wraps around like a chain, and violence clothes them like a garment. This visual metaphor makes vivid how arrogance and aggression define the wicked’s public persona. In the surrounding culture, pride often correlates with social power, while violence is the instrument by which they maintain control. The Psalms repeatedly diagnose the social impact of arrogance—how it entangles others, corrupts communities, and cultivates fear. The verse shows the corrupting power of pride as social chains that bind others’ freedom and contribute to a climate of intimidation. The garment of violence signals an integrated lifestyle of coercion, not just episodic acts. The psalmist’s stark observation serves as a warning about the seductive safety that pride and force promise.
Theologically, pride and violence represent moral derailment from God’s way of justice and humility. The metaphor of a chain suggests that sin is not merely an act but a structure that traps people and perpetuates harm. The verse underscores the Bible’s consistent critique of coercive power as inconsistent with the reign of God, which calls for righteousness, mercy, and justice. It also foreshadows the eventual reversal in which God judges the proud and rescues the humble. The moral order of the Psalms is that true strength is discerned in justice, mercy, and integrity, not in domination.
Today, this verse can sharpen how we view power. If you’re in a leadership role, beware of letting pride turn into coercion or manipulation. Build teams with transparency, consent, and accountability. If you’ve experienced or witnessed intimidation, advocate for vulnerable colleagues and promote cultures of respect. In personal life, examine your “garments”—do you clothe yourself in pride or violence (shaming, manipulation) to control outcomes? Choose instead humility, gentleness, and constructive firmness. The verse invites you to remove the armor of pride and replace it with honest vulnerability, seeking justice through peaceful means. It also serves as a reminder to resist sensationalist rhetoric that relies on fear.
Cross-References: Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 16:18; Isaiah 30:33; 2 Corinthians 12:20-21; James 4:6