Psalms 55:10 - Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Psalms 55:10" mean?
Psalm 55 is a lament, a prayer for help from someone who is betrayed by a close friend. Verse 10, in that context, describes the pervasive wickedness that plagues the city where the psalmist lives. Let's break it down:
"Day and night they prowl around on its walls": This suggests constant vigilance of evildoers, not for good (like guards protecting the city), but for evil purposes. "Walls" represent security, but even those are infiltrated by wickedness. The phrase "day and night" emphasizes the relentless, unending nature of this evil presence.
"Malice and abuse are also within her.": "Her" refers to the city. This indicates that wickedness is not just an external threat, but is deeply embedded within the community itself. "Malice" speaks of intentional evil, a desire to harm others. "Abuse" encompasses a range of harmful behaviors, from oppression and exploitation to violence and mistreatment.
In essence, this verse depicts a city consumed by pervasive evil, both externally (prowling) and internally (malice and abuse). It illustrates a breakdown of trust, safety, and justice.
Possible Interpretations:
Literal Interpretation: The verse could be taken literally as a description of a city overrun by crime and corruption.
Figurative Interpretation: It could be interpreted as a metaphor for a person's internal state, where negative thoughts and emotions (malice and abuse) constantly "prowl" around the "walls" of their mind, threatening to overwhelm them.
Spiritual Interpretation: Some see the city as representing a community of faith or even the church, suggesting that even within such settings, wickedness and betrayal can be found.
In the context of the psalm, the verse highlights the intensity of the psalmist's distress. He's not just facing external threats; the very fabric of his community is corrupted, contributing to his feelings of isolation and despair.
Psalms 55:10 - Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.
What does "Psalms 55:10" mean?
Psalm 55 is a lament, a prayer for help from someone who is betrayed by a close friend. Verse 10, in that context, describes the pervasive wickedness that plagues the city where the psalmist lives. Let's break it down:
"Day and night they prowl around on its walls": This suggests constant vigilance of evildoers, not for good (like guards protecting the city), but for evil purposes. "Walls" represent security, but even those are infiltrated by wickedness. The phrase "day and night" emphasizes the relentless, unending nature of this evil presence.
"Malice and abuse are also within her.": "Her" refers to the city. This indicates that wickedness is not just an external threat, but is deeply embedded within the community itself. "Malice" speaks of intentional evil, a desire to harm others. "Abuse" encompasses a range of harmful behaviors, from oppression and exploitation to violence and mistreatment.
In essence, this verse depicts a city consumed by pervasive evil, both externally (prowling) and internally (malice and abuse). It illustrates a breakdown of trust, safety, and justice.
Possible Interpretations:
Literal Interpretation: The verse could be taken literally as a description of a city overrun by crime and corruption.
Figurative Interpretation: It could be interpreted as a metaphor for a person's internal state, where negative thoughts and emotions (malice and abuse) constantly "prowl" around the "walls" of their mind, threatening to overwhelm them.
Spiritual Interpretation: Some see the city as representing a community of faith or even the church, suggesting that even within such settings, wickedness and betrayal can be found.
In the context of the psalm, the verse highlights the intensity of the psalmist's distress. He's not just facing external threats; the very fabric of his community is corrupted, contributing to his feelings of isolation and despair.