Categories: Psalms

Psalm 10

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Why Do You Hide Yourself?

10   Why, O LORD, do you stand far away?
    Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
  In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor;
    let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.
  For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul,
    and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD.
  In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him;
    all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
  His ways prosper at all times;
    your judgments are on high, out of his sight;
    as for all his foes, he puffs at them.
  He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved;
    throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.”
  His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression;
    under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.
  He sits in ambush in the villages;
    in hiding places he murders the innocent.
  His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;
    he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket;
  he lurks that he may seize the poor;
    he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.
  The helpless are crushed, sink down,
    and fall by his might.
  He says in his heart, “God has forgotten,
    he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”
  Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand;
    forget not the afflicted.
  Why does the wicked renounce God
    and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”?
  But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,
    that you may take it into your hands;
  to you the helpless commits himself;
    you have been the helper of the fatherless.
  Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;
    call his wickedness to account till you find none.
  The LORD is king forever and ever;
    the nations perish from his land.
  O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
    you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
  to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
    so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

(ESV)

Psalm 10 Commentary

by Brad Boyles

You get the impression that the psalmist does not have a shallow relationship with God. As we read the words, we get a picture of practical faith being lived out among daily choices. To pray in the face of persecution and suffering and cry out for the innocent in their oppression displays an active faith. As we witness the darkness of evil in our lives and the lives of others, our greatest struggle is reconciling our trust of God despite. Is He working and involved? Is He going to punish the wicked? When will He bring justice?

The beauty of this psalm is that it illustrates God’s attentiveness to our cries. It describes, in detail, the fullness of all His senses.

The Eyes – Psalms 10:14 GNB But you do see; you take notice of trouble and suffering and are always ready to help. The helpless commit themselves to you; you have always helped the needy.

The Mind – Psalms 10:12 GNB O LORD, punish those wicked people! Remember those who are suffering!

The Physical Body – Psalms 10:15 NASB Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer, Seek out his wickedness until You find none.

The Ears – Psalms 10:17 NASB O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear

God hears us. He sees us. He understands us. And… He will act! He is not a silent God that allows for pain and suffering to continue. This is such a mighty encouragement for us today. The God of the Universe bends His senses to our voices as we proclaim to Him the injustices that He has placed on our hearts. Where do you need to be reminded that He has wrapped His senses around your life today?

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