Psalms – Chapter 10

Old Testament • 8 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Unto the end. A psalm to David." — so begins Psalms 10. David stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 8 verses, two threads run through the text: justice and care for the poor and love and charity. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Unto the end. A psalm to David.

2In the Lord I put my trust: how then do you say to my soul: Get thee away from hence to the mountain, like a sparrow.

3For, lo, the wicked have bent their bow: they have prepared their arrows in the quiver, to shoot in the dark the upright of heart.

4For they have destroyed the things which thou hast made: but what has the just man done?

5The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven. His eyes look on the poor man: his eyelids examine the sons of men.

6The Lord trieth the just and the wicked: but he that loveth iniquity, hateth his own soul.

7He shall rain snares upon sinners: fire and brimstone, and storms of winds, shall be the portion of their cup.

8For the Lord is just, and hath loved justice: his countenance hath beheld righteousness.

Important Verses in Psalms 10

“In the Lord I put my trust: how then do you say to my soul: Get thee away from hence to the mountain, like a sparrow.”

Psalms 10:2

“The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven. His eyes look on the poor man: his eyelids examine the sons of men.”

Psalms 10:5

“For the Lord is just, and hath loved justice: his countenance hath beheld righteousness. ”

Psalms 10:8

Historical Context

Psalms belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for god's people at prayer in every age. Chapter 10 of 150 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 8 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on David, the principal figures named in this chapter. It opens with the line: "Unto the end. A psalm to David." The final verse reads: "For the Lord is just, and hath loved justice: his countenance hath beheld righteousness. " The wider setting of Psalms is this: The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Psalms around Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

The poem's language was meant to be prayed aloud, giving voice to the full range of human experience before the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 2: "In the Lord I put my trust: how then do you say to my soul: Get thee away from hence to the mountain, like a sparrow." The passage repeatedly touches on justice and care for the poor.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2215). Here, the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize justice and care for the poor as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • ✓God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • ✓Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.
  • ✓True conversion means turning away from sin and returning to God with our whole heart.

People in This Chapter

David1 mention

Reflection for Today

Psalms Chapter 10, containing 8 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 2578). Here the emphasis falls on hope in the resurrection, which shapes how the Church understands prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God.

As you continue through Psalms, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 10 about?

Psalms 10 contains 8 verses. It opens with "Unto the end. A psalm to David." and closes with "For the Lord is just, and hath loved justice: his countenance hath beheld righteousness. ". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 10?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "In the Lord I put my trust: how then do you say to my soul: Get thee away from hence to the mountain, like a sparrow." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Psalms Chapter 10?

This chapter mentions David.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Related Chapters

Mark 12Shares people and themes with this chapterRevelation 3Shares people and themes with this chapterRuth 4Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Poor🙏Prayer for the World🙏Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love🙏Litany of the Sacred Heart

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

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