Bible Strands
Psalms 10:18
to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed, that the men of the earth may strike terror no more.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God, declaring that He has heard the humble’s desire and will strengthen their hearts as He moves to act.
The words — The Hebrew לִשְׁפּוֹט (lišpōṭ) means “to vindicate” or “to judge,” and יָתוֹם (yātôm) translates literally as “fatherless.”
The thread — The text states that God will defend the vulnerable so that earthly terror ceases, a pattern repeated in Psalms 9:9, Psalms 82:3, and Isaiah 11:4.
Why it lands — The verse states that oppression ends only through divine intervention, requiring the reader to abandon reliance on human power and acknowledge God’s exclusive role in ending injustice.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
Cross-references
- Psalms 9:9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
- Psalms 82:3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.
- Isaiah 11:4 but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.
- Psalms 17:14 from such men, O LORD, by Your hand—from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.
- Luke 18:7 Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay in helping them?
- 1 Corinthians 15:47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.
- Psalms 10:14 But You have regarded trouble and grief; You see to repay it by Your hand. The victim entrusts himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.
- Psalms 72:4 May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.
- Psalms 74:21 Do not let the oppressed retreat in shame; may the poor and needy praise Your name.
- Psalms 94:1 O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth.