A Study in Psalms Psalm 10
1 ¶ Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
When we see the mess that mankind is making of the world around us, it is easy for us to think that God is far away
2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
The world around us is quick to take advantage of those who can't look after themselves – note the two sins listed here: pride and persecution – the one causes the other
Our prayer should be that the devices used to harm others would fall back on those who do the harm, making them stop and realize their error
3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
The world takes lives for selfish gain and heartily approves of a desire for more even though God makes it clear that covetousness is sin (Ex 20:17)
4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
The sinner is puffed up with pride, will not look to God for anything, and will not even think about God
5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
The sinner is always wrong, working from a point of view that has nothing to do with the greatness and sovereignty of almighty God
6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
The sinner believes that everything is getting better, that harm is far away, and that riches, power and technology will save him
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
This is especially true of the world today – all around us it is common to hear all manner of foul language, spiteful words used against others, lies, deceit and fraud, and words that cause harm and hurt to others
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.
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.
10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
The sinner is always looking for ways to get ahead, to the point of believing that nothing is illegal as long as you don't get caught – another common world view today.
These words speak of “perilous times” when those who have thrown off God and his goodness and standards to create their own standard of self-indulgence at the expense of all others. This is why children and spouses today often appear to be nothing more than property, a status symbol, much like a big fancy house or car, and why there are so many troubles in the home and therefore in the community at large.
We have been warned that this would become more and more common:
“ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Ti 3:1 – 7
11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
Because God is patient, giving mankind time to repent and turn to God through his Son, Jesus Christ, the sinful world has taken the extremely blasphemous point of view that either God does not exist, that he doesn't pay any attention to man, or that God is somehow unable to see what's going on.
12 ¶ Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
We should be praying for the oppressed in this world and especially for our brothers and sisters in Christ. It should be our desire to see wickedness destroyed and people saved
13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.
The foolish sinner says in his heart that God is never going to act or call their sin into account – so said Babylon, which is now desolate: “And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it. ” Is 47:7
“ Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. ” Rev 18:6 – 7
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.
Even Israel sank deeply into sin, believing God wasn't watching, but their nation was destroyed and they were taken captive. Here is what God said through the prophet, Ezekiel: “Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.” Eze 8:12
God is always watching; there is nothing he does not see – God is everywhere all the time and will pour out his wrath on sinful man; he is longsuffering toward man, but will not allow sin to go on forever.
15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
We should pray this for our country and the world – that God would destroy evil and remove it from our midst
16 The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.
God is infinitely sovereign and will completely destroy evil in his time
17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
God hears the prayers of the humble – those who are truly humble are those who have trusted in Jesus Christ rather than themselves. Unless a man humbles himself and turns (repents) to Jesus Christ in faith, his prayers are a blasphemy and are not answered by God. (John 14:6)
God prepares the hearts of those who trust him for eternity: “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.” Prov 16:1
18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
We can totally trust God to be a righteous judge and protector when we put our faith in him through his Son. We DO NOT need to fear man: “I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; ” Is 51:12