The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

PSALMS 58:10KJV
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Psalms 58:10 (KJV)

What does Psalms 58:10 mean?

Psalms 58:10 describes a moment when those who are righteous will be glad to see justice done against the wicked, using strong imagery to show their satisfaction at seeing wrongs made right. The verse uses the picture of washing feet in the blood of the wicked to emphasize how complete and visible this act of judgment will be.

The psalm is attributed to David, who is speaking about a time when evil people seem to prosper and justice seems delayed. Here, David assures his listeners that God will eventually bring justice, and those who have lived rightly (the "righteous") will witness this. The language is vivid and symbolic, meant to stress the certainty and thoroughness of God's judgment against wrongdoing.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 58:10

  • "righteous" (צַדִּיק, tsaddiq): This word refers to someone who lives according to what is right and just, highlighting a contrast with the "wicked" in the verse.
  • "rejoice" (שָׂמַח, samach): This word means to be glad or joyful, showing that the righteous will feel real relief and happiness when justice is finally seen.
  • "vengeance" (נָקָם, naqam): This word points to a repayment or settling of wrongs, not personal revenge but a public act of justice.
  • "wash" (רָחַץ, rachats): The idea of washing feet in blood is a strong image, not literal, but meant to show how completely the wicked are defeated and how visible that defeat is to all.

Why Psalms 58:10 matters

  • Psalms 58:10 clears up the idea that the Bible always speaks gently about judgment; here, the language is intentionally strong to show the seriousness of injustice and the reality of God's response.
  • This verse emphasizes that God's justice is not hidden or partial—when it comes, it will be obvious to everyone, including those who have suffered under wrongdoing.
  • The verse connects to the rest of Psalm 58, which is a prayer for God to act against corrupt leaders and evildoers, assuring the faithful that their hope for justice is not in vain.

Where else these words appear

“vengeance” Hebrew H5359 · used in 17 verses

  • Leviticus 26:25 And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.
  • Proverbs 6:34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
  • Isaiah 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

“seeth” Hebrew H2372 · used in 47 verses

  • Exodus 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
  • Psalms 17:2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
  • Isaiah 33:17 Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.

“wash” Hebrew H7364 · used in 71 verses

  • Genesis 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
  • Leviticus 15:5 And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
  • Deuteronomy 23:11 But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash himself with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again.

“feet” Hebrew H6471 · used in 108 verses

  • Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
  • Deuteronomy 9:19 For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also.
  • 2 Kings 5:10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.