Psalm 10

The various Psalmists consistently had respect for God.  But this did not keep them from honestly opening up their hearts to the Lord.  Often they are found, as in this Psalm, questioning God’s seeming lack of involvement in the affairs of the world.  They speak from the viewpoint of earth and come to God with what they see around them.  Not only does God seem to “stand afar off” (v1) and to forget the humble (v12); He is allowing His reputation to suffer at the hands of wicked men (v13).

In a sense this Psalm and others like it (e.g. 73) deal with the other side of the question of suffering than the story of Job.  In Job’s case, he was a blameless man who wondered why he was suffering.  In Psalm 10 we have wicked men who seem not to suffer at all.  The description of the wicked in this Psalm gives a valuable perspective to the godly to help them see the “man of the earth” through God’s eyes.

The progress of this prayer is simple.  In vs.1-2 the Psalmist lays out his case in short order.  “Why are you not doing something here Lord,” he says.  He calls God to put into effect the “law of the harvest”, letting the wicked be caught in their own devises.

In vs. 3-11 he goes into detail to describe what he sees going on around him.  In each of these aspects he not only describes what the wicked are doing; he also tells what the wicked think of God.  As you think of this picture remember that the word of God is like a mirror (James 1:23-24).  These kinds of descriptions in the Psalms are an accurate description of the deeds and words, as well as the thoughts and attitudes, of sinful men.

·         In v3-4 he details the “plans” of the wicked.  In v3 the word boast is the word for praise (halal), commonly used of God.  The word bless (Heb. barak) is also commonly used of God.  In other words, the thoughts of the wicked are idolatrous; he gives praise and blesses that which is contrary to God.  In his desires, he doesn’t think about God.  He doesn’t seek Him, leaving God out of his plans.

·         In v5-7 he notes the “prosperity” of the wicked.  He is so “cocky” he sneers at his enemies who are generally the humble or lesser people around him.  He believes his successes put him in a place where trouble cannot touch him.  His language is sprinkled heavily with obscenities, the kind of oaths that befit his aura of invincibility.  His thought about God is that he never thinks about God’s judgments; he does not evaluate his ways by God’s standards.

·         In v8-11 he goes into detail about the “methods” of the wicked.  In a word: they are deceitful.  They are “lurking”, in “secret places”, lying in wait, crouching low.  Everything is done secretly.  His thought about God is that God will never see what he is doing.  God has in fact forgotten!

In vs. 12-18 the man of God now lifts his heart to the Lord.  We also see how he views God, a theology that enables him to pray with confidence.  He brings to God’s attention what the wicked are saying (v13) but then affirms that he knows that God has heard and seen the wicked (v14).  He does not doubt God’s omniscience, even though it seems that God is standing afar off.  Neither does he believe that God is hiding although it seems that way.  In fact, “the LORD is King forever and ever” (v16).  He is confident God will act on behalf of the oppressed.

This Psalm is filled with value for the people of God today.  We are no different and our situations are no different.  The wicked are the same.  And we often find our sense of timing to be out of sync with God’s.  This great prayer again shows us the value of having a good view of God (theology) and a faith in what we know of God and not in what we think we see around us.  We may entertain thoughts that God has forgotten the humble.  We may be tempted to throw our lot in with the wicked because they seem so prosperous.  But to come into God’s presence and there to be reminded of who He is will bring us back to the solid rock of Biblical faith.