He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.

PSALMS 110:6KJV
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Psalms 110:6 (KJV)

What does Psalms 110:6 mean?

Psalms 110:6 pictures a ruler judging nations through a devastating military victory. In the KJV, the nations face judgment, the places are filled with dead bodies, and the heads over many countries are wounded. The verse presents a scene of wide-reaching defeat.

The speaker continues the description of the Lord’s action from verse 5. The image of dead bodies makes the cost of the battle stark, while “heads” points to those in positions of leadership.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 110:6

  • “heathen” — גּוֹיִם (goyim): This word means “nations” or “peoples.” Here it identifies the groups among whom judgment takes place.
  • “wound” — מָחַץ (machats): This word can mean “strike” or “crush.” It gives the action against the heads the force of a severe blow.

Why Psalms 110:6 matters

  • Judgment here is pictured in the language of battle. The phrase “dead bodies” shows why “judge among the heathen” should be read alongside the violent images that follow.
  • The scene reaches beyond one local conflict. The KJV’s “many countries” places the defeat of the heads across a broad area.

Where else these words appear

“bodies” Hebrew H1472 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 47:18 When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:
  • 1 Samuel 31:10 And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.
  • Ezekiel 1:11 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.

“wound” Hebrew H4272 · used in 14 verses

  • Numbers 24:8 God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.
  • Judges 5:26 She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples.
  • Psalms 18:38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet.

“judge” Hebrew H1777 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
  • Job 36:31 For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.
  • Proverbs 31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.