Psalms 73:10 (KJV)

What does Psalms 73:10 mean?

Psalms 73:10 describes how the people connected to the arrogant or wicked return to them, and as a result, these people experience troubles or hardships, pictured as being given a cup full of bitter water to drink. The verse uses the image of water wrung out of a full cup to show that suffering or difficulty is poured out on them.

The psalm is written by Asaph, who is reflecting on the apparent success of the wicked and the struggles of the faithful. Here, Asaph notes that people are drawn back to the arrogant, perhaps imitating them or seeking their favor, but this leads to hardship. The verse uses vivid language to show that following the ways of the wicked does not bring satisfaction but rather more trouble.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 73:10

• "people" (עַם, ʿam): This word refers to a group or community, highlighting that it is not just individuals but whole groups who are affected by the actions of the wicked.
• "return" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word often means to turn back or return, suggesting that people are repeatedly drawn back to the wicked, not just once but as a pattern.
• "waters" (מַיִם, mayim): Water is often a symbol for life or blessing, but here it is associated with hardship, showing a reversal of what people might expect.
• "full" (מָלֵא, male): The idea of a cup being full suggests abundance, but in this context, it is an abundance of trouble or suffering.
• "out" (מָצוּק, matsuq): This word carries the sense of something being squeezed or wrung out, emphasizing that the hardship is not accidental but is being deliberately poured out.

Why Psalms 73:10 matters

• This verse helps clear up the idea that following the successful or arrogant always leads to blessing; instead, it warns that such a path can bring unexpected hardship.
• The imagery of water wrung from a full cup connects to the psalm’s larger theme of questioning why the wicked seem to prosper while others suffer.
• Understanding the original words shows that the suffering described is not random but is a direct result of the choices people make in following the arrogant, deepening the warning in the verse.