What is the meaning of Psalm 112:10? The wicked man will see and be grieved • Psalm 112 contrasts the blessed life of the righteous with the downfall of the wicked. When the psalmist says, “The wicked man will see and be grieved,” the picture is of an evildoer watching God’s favor rest on those who fear Him (Psalm 112:1–9). • This reaction is inevitable: “When the wicked flourish like grass…they will be destroyed forever” (Psalm 92:7). The prosperity of the righteous exposes the emptiness of wickedness, stirring inner anguish. • Similar moments appear throughout Scripture: – Cain’s resentment when God accepted Abel’s offering (Genesis 4:5). – Haman’s fury at Mordecai’s honor (Esther 6:6–12). – The rich man’s regret as he looks across the gulf to Lazarus (Luke 16:23–25). • The verse assures believers that God vindicates His people publicly; wicked eyes will witness it and feel the sting of conviction. he will gnash his teeth and waste away • “He will gnash his teeth” is a vivid sign of rage and despair. Jesus echoed the phrase to describe the final judgment: “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Luke 13:28). • The wicked do not merely lose their composure; they “waste away.” Their strength, plans, and influence wither. Compare “the arm of the wicked will be broken” (Psalm 37:17). • Notice the progression: emotional pain → physical expression → total decline. Sin promises freedom, but ends in decay (Romans 6:21). • For believers, this underscores the futility of envy. God’s justice will reduce wicked power to nothing, so “do not fret over evildoers” (Psalm 37:1). the desires of the wicked will perish • Wicked desires are more than passing thoughts; they are the driving ambitions opposed to God. Psalm 146:9 says the LORD “frustrates the plans of the wicked.” • Proverbs 10:28 paraphrases Psalm 112:10: “The hope of the righteous is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing.” • God’s judgment reaches beyond people to their cravings, dreams, and legacies. Every scheme that ignores His law will collapse. • This truth calls the righteous to view success through eternal lenses. Only what aligns with God’s will endures (1 John 2:17). summary Psalm 112:10 provides a sober finale to a Psalm about the blessed righteous. The wicked must watch God’s favor on His people, react with frustrated anger, and ultimately see all their desires disintegrate. The verse reassures believers that justice is certain, encourages patience amid opposition, and reminds all who read it that lasting hope is found only in fearing the LORD and delighting in His commands. |
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