Psalm 10 is a lament and plea for justice attributed to David, expressing outrage at the oppression of the innocent and the arrogance of the wicked. It calls on God to intervene and bring justice to the oppressed. Welcome to the Psalm Club!

Text of Psalm 10

1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.
3 He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.
4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
5 His ways are always prosperous; your laws are rejected by him; he sneers at all his enemies.
6 He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.” He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.”
7 His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.
8 He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent. His eyes watch in secret for his victims;
9 like a lion in cover he lies in wait. He lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.
10 His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.
11 He says to himself, “God will never notice; he covers his face and never sees.”
12 Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.
13 Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, “He won’t call me to account”?
14 But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked man; call the evildoer to account for his wickedness that would not otherwise be found out.
16 The Lord is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.
17 You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.

Commentary

Verses 1-2: Questioning God’s Presence

David begins by questioning why God seems distant during times of trouble, highlighting the arrogance of the wicked who prey on the weak and devise schemes against them.

Verses 3-7: Description of the Wicked

David describes the wicked’s arrogance, pride, and disregard for God. They prosper while rejecting God’s laws and sneering at their enemies. Their speech is filled with lies, threats, and evil intentions.

Verses 8-11: Actions of the Wicked

David details the wicked’s actions, comparing them to a lion lying in wait to ambush and victimize the helpless. They believe God does not see their deeds and will not hold them accountable.

Verses 12-18: Plea for Justice

David calls on God to intervene, lift His hand against the wicked, and not forget the oppressed. He asks why the wicked defy God and implores God to defend the afflicted, asserting His role as the protector of the fatherless and oppressed.

Conclusion

Psalm 10 is a heartfelt cry against injustice, expressing David’s anguish over the oppression of the innocent and the arrogance of the wicked. It is a plea for God to intervene, bring justice, and defend the helpless. This Psalm resonates as a timeless reminder of God’s care for the oppressed and His role as the ultimate judge over all the earth.