Psalm 10:5
ESV
His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them.
NIV
His ways are always prosperous; your laws are rejected by him; he sneers at all his enemies.
NASB
His ways succeed at all times; Yet Your judgments are on high, out of his sight; As for all his enemies, he snorts at them.
CSB
His ways are always secure; your lofty judgments have no effect on him; he scoffs at all his adversaries.
NLT
Yet they succeed in everything they do. They do not see your punishment awaiting them. They sneer at all their enemies.
KJV
His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
NKJV
His ways are always prospering; Your judgments are far above, out of his sight; As for all his enemies, he sneers at them.
What does Psalm 10:5 mean?
In an earthly timeframe, it's possible for wicked people to find success. Acting immorally can result in material benefits, for a while. The evil person assumes God doesn't see what he is doing (Psalm 10:11), or He does not exist to see those deeds (Psalm 10:4), therefore no punishment is to be expected. That false sense of security causes him to breathe out contempt for all his foes.God might be more patient than we would prefer (Psalm 10:1), but eventually He will punish the wicked who feel so secure in their ill-gotten gain. Asaph describes the prosperous wicked in Psalm 73:8 as scoffing and speaking with malice and threatening oppression. They also blaspheme God (Psalm 73:9). However, they will come to a disastrous end. God will make them fall to ruin, and He will sweep them away utterly by terrors (Psalm 73:18–19).
Demonstrating how quickly earthly wealth can become meaningless, a biblical parable depicts a rich farmer who trusted in his bumper crops for security, only to be swept suddenly into eternal judgment (Luke 12:13–21). First Thessalonians 5:3 promises: "While people are saying, 'There is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape."
