Scripture: Psalm 10:1-18

1 Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide in times of trouble?

2 In arrogance, the wicked relentlessly pursue their victims; let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.

3 For the wicked one boasts about his own cravings; the one who is greedy curses and despises the Lord.

4 In all his scheming, the wicked person arrogantly thinks, "There's no accountability since there's no God."

5 His ways are always secure; your lofty judgments have no effect on him; he scoffs at all his adversaries.

6 He says to himself, “I" will never be moved—from generation to generation, I will be without calamity.”

7 Cursing, deceit, and violence fill his mouth; trouble and malice are under his tongue.

8 He waits in ambush near settlements; he kills the innocent in secret places. His eyes are on the lookout for the helpless;

9 he lurks in secret like a lion in a thicket.

He lurks in order to seize a victim; he seizes a victim and drags him in his net.

10 So he is oppressed and beaten down; helpless people fall because of the wicked one strength.

11 He says to himself, “God has forgotten; he hides his face and will never see.”

12 Rise up, Lord God! Lift up your hand. Do not forget the oppressed.

13 Why has the wicked person despised God? He says to himself, “You will not demand an account.”

14 But you have seen trouble and grief, observing it in order to take the matter into your hands. The helpless one entrusts himself to you; you are a helper of the fatherless.

15 Break the arm of the wicked, evil person until you look for his wickedness, but it can't be found.

16 The Lord is King forever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.

17 Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble; you will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully,

18 doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed so that mere humans from the earth may terrify them no more. CSB

Finding Hope in the Midst of Oppression

"The Lord is King forever and ever; the nations will perish from His land." Psalm 10:16

Psalm 10 offers a raw and honest look at the human heart's cry during times of injustice and oppression. It begins with a lament, expressing that God is distant when evil prevails. Yet, the psalm doesn't leave us in despair. It turns to a declaration of trust in God's sovereignty and justice, reminding us that God is not idle even when it seems otherwise.

A Cry for Help (Verses 1-2)

"Lord, why do You stand so far away? Why do You hide in times of trouble?"

The psalmist begins with a resounding cry from the heart. How often have we asked similar questions when faced with life's challenges? These words resonate with anyone who has ever felt abandoned or overlooked by God. The psalmist is not cursing God but is pouring out his anguish, acknowledging the weight of oppression and the seeming triumph of the wicked.

This cry invites us to be honest in our prayers. God is big enough to handle our doubts and fears. He desires authenticity over religious pretense.

The Arrogance of the Wicked (Verses 3-11)

In this section, the psalmist describes the characteristics of the wicked: arrogance, greed, deceit, and violence. They act as though there is no accountability, saying in their hearts, "God has forgotten; He hides His face and will never see"(v. 11).

These verses reflect the frustration many feel when evil seems unchecked. The wicked boast in their power, oppress the vulnerable, and scoff at the idea of divine justice. This vivid picture of a broken world sets the stage for God's ultimate intervention.

As believers, we are reminded not to lose heart. What we see is not the complete picture. The prosperity of the wicked is temporary, and their ways will not go unchallenged forever.

A Call to Action (Verses 12-15)

"Rise up, Lord God! Lift up Your hand. Do not forget the oppressed."

Here, the psalmist transitions from lament to petition. He calls upon God to act against the wicked and defend the helpless. This plea reminds us that our prayers have power. When we intercede for those who suffer, we align ourselves with God's heart for justice.

Verse 14 assures us that God sees His people's trouble and grief. Far from being indifferent, He observes every injustice and will take matters into His hands. This is both a comfort and a challenge: we can trust God to act, but we are also called to reflect His justice in our actions.

The Assurance of God's Reign (Verses 16-18)

The psalm concludes with a triumphant declaration of God's sovereignty: “The Lord is King forever and ever" (v. 16). This is the turning point of the psalm. Despite the reality of evil, the psalmist affirms that God is in control.

God hears the cries of the humble and strengthens their hearts. He promises to bring justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, ensuring that no mere human will terrify them again. This assurance gives us hope, even in the darkest times.

Application

Psalm 10 teaches us to bring our burdens to God. Knowing God's timing is perfect. When we feel overwhelmed by the injustice in the world, this psalm reminds us to:

Pray Boldly: Like the psalmist, we can approach God with confidence, knowing He hears us.
Trust God's Justice: Even when it seems delayed, God's justice is perfect and will prevail.
Be Agents of Hope: As followers of Christ, we are called to stand with the oppressed and reflect God and justice in tangible ways.

Conclusion

Psalm 10 challenges us to move from despair to trust, from lament to action. It reassures us that God is neither absent nor indifferent. He sees, He hears, and He reigns. Let us hold onto this truth, knowing that the Lord is King forever and ever.

God Did It!

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