Psalms
Summary
Psalm 10 is a poignant cry for help in a time when God seems "afar off" and the wicked appear to prosper through pride, deceit, and oppression. The psalmist describes the character of the wicked man, who boasts of his heart's desire and believes that God will never see or require an accounting for his deeds. He pleads with God to "lift up your hand" and not forget the humble. The tone shifts to confidence as the psalmist declares that the LORD is King for ever and ever, and that He has heard the desire of the humble to "judge the fatherless and the oppressed."
Why do you stand far off, O LORD? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.
For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire and blesses the greedy, whom the LORD abhors.
The wicked, in his arrogance, does not seek after God; all his thoughts are, "There is no God."
His ways are always prosperous; your judgements are far above, out of his sight; as for all his enemies, he sneers at them.
He has said in his heart, "I shall not be moved; for I shall never be in adversity."
His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and fraud; under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
He sits in the lurking places of the villages; in secret places he murders the innocent; his eyes are secretly set against the poor.
He lies in wait secretly as a lion in his den; he lies in wait to catch the poor; he catches the poor when he draws him into his net.
He crouches and humbles himself, that the poor may fall by his strength.
He has said in his heart, "God has forgotten; he hides his face; he will never see it."
Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up your hand; do not forget the humble.
Why does the wicked despise God? He has said in his heart, "You will not require an accounting."
You have seen it, for you behold mischief and spite, to take it into your hands; the poor commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.
Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; seek out his wickedness until you find none.
The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations have perished out of his land.
LORD, you have heard the desire of the humble; you will prepare their heart, you will cause your ear to hear,
to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.