Psalms - Chapter 10

Psalms 10.1 Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? Psalms 10.2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. Psalms 10.3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. Psalms 10.4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. Psalms 10.5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. Psalms 10.6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. Psalms 10.7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. Psalms 10.8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. Psalms 10.9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. Psalms 10.10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. Psalms 10.11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it. Psalms 10.12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble. Psalms 10.13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it. Psalms 10.14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless. Psalms 10.15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none. Psalms 10.16 The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. Psalms 10.17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: Psalms 10.18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

Psalms : Chapter 10

Reflection on Psalm 10

Psalm 10, which could be seen as a continuation of Psalm 9, raises a vital question: why does God seem distant in the face of the oppression and apparent prosperity of the wicked? This emotional lament paints a vivid picture of the arrogance and cruelty of evildoers. It addresses fundamental themes such as divine justice, the cry of the oppressed, and God's ultimate sovereignty.

Ultimately, the psalmist expresses deep confidence in divine judgment, inviting everyone to meditate on the truth that emerges from this prayer. We invite you to explore five biblical passages that resonate with the call to justice present in this provocative psalm.

Habakkuk 1:13

"You are of such pure eyes that you cannot bear to see evil; you cannot tolerate evil. Why then do you tolerate the wicked? Why do you remain silent while the wicked swallow up those who are more righteous than they?" This questioning of Habakkuk illustrates the psalmist's questioning in Psalm 10 about God's apparent inactivity in the face of evil.

James 5:4

"See, the wages of the laborers who reaped your fields, which you deceitfully withheld, cry out against you. The lamentation of the harvesters has reached the ears of the Lord of hosts." This verse resonates with the concern of Psalm 10 regarding the oppression of the poor.

1 Peter 5:5

"In the same way, you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Be humble toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" This passage highlights the theme of Psalm 10, emphasizing that God opposes the proud.

Luke 18:7-8

"And will not God grant justice to his elect, who cry out to him day and night? Will you keep them waiting? I tell you, he will grant justice quickly. Yet when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" Jesus' words resonate with the call to divine justice found in Psalm 10.

Romans 3:14

"His mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." The apostle Paul quotes part of the Psalm 10:7 to describe the sinful nature of man, thus reminding us of the need for divine justice.

By meditating on these verses, we are called to renew our faith in God's justice and to recognize that even in times of darkness, His light illuminates our path.