Peace & Blessings Beloved,
TGBTG for allowing us to see another day. I pray all is well with you and yours, and that your week has been fruitful & blessed thus far.
Last week we reviewed Psalm 9. Today, we're going to study Psalm 10.
With that in mind, let's get to it.
Psalm 10
Why Do You Hide Yourself?
1 Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2 In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. 3 For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. 4 In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” 5 His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them. 6 He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.” 7 His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. 8 He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; 9 he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net. 10 The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might. 11 He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”
12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted. 13 Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”? 14 But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless. 15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none.
16 The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. 17 O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear 18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.
Chapter Summary:
vs. 1-11 The psalmist complains of God's neglect, and of the malice of his enemies
vs. 12-15 He prays that both these subjects of complaint may be removed
vs. 16-18 He expresses the most confident assurance that his prayer will be heard and answered
Synopsis:
After describing the awesome power of the wicked in their impiety towards God and their lurking against the helpless, the psalmist appeals to God to rise and avenge the oppressed by breaking the wicked.
Key Takeaways:
If we speak of the evil of men, let it be to God in prayer; He can properly address them.
The wicked do not seek after God, therefore it is our responsibility to do so, even on their behalf.
The wicked don't give God any credit for the blessings, successes, possessions, achievements, status, etc., in their life.
The biggest issue of the wicked is pride. It won't allow them to humble self, acknowledge, & trust in God.
The psalmist is amazed at the patience of God, in His (in)actions towards the wicked. This is because he is shortsighted, and doesn't have the mind, nor does he know the ways of God.
The psalmist went from a sense of despair in times of trouble to an assurance in God’s justice and victory.
Conclusion:
Evil doesn't win in the end, no matter how much it may appear so.
God doesn't sleep, and is a righteous Judge.
We must keep out hearts prepared for prayer, and seek God fervently. And we should always pray for the oppressed.
We must commit ourselves unto God, wholly & humbly trusting in His mercy.
We should trust God to deliver us from every temptation.
May we establish, nurture, and grow a sincere love for the word of God, and study it lovingly & faithfully.
I pray you receive this with the love intended, and apply it to wisdom.
Love you much.
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Blessed!
-Humble Servant
P.S- If you have not given your life to Jesus Christ, I implore you to take the time to do so right now. Use John 3:16 & Romans 10:9-10 as a foundation for making your confession of faith. And use Ephesians 2:1-10 to provide proper context for your salvation.
**I love this exposition from Biblical Scholar Adam Clarke, and want to share it in full: “See the economy of the grace of God: 1. God prepares the heart; 2. Suggests the prayer; 3. Hears what is prayed; 4. Answers the petition. He who has got a cry in his heart after God, may rest assured that that cry proceeded from a Divine preparation, and that an answer will soon arrive. No man ever had a cry in his heart after salvation, but from God. He who continues to cry shall infallibly be heard.”