Palm 10 shares some similar themes with Psalm 9. Therefore, it is believed that Psalm 10 is a continuation of Psalm 9.
Devotional Portion: Psalms 10:1-4
Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble? The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire; He blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord. The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.
Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble? The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor;
The psalmist starts with a question that might have arisen in his heart when he felt that God is inactive in his concerns. He felt as if God has hidden Himself when the psalmist was undergoing anxiety or need. The times of trouble is a moments when one needs the most support and care. But, he is feeling as if God has deserted him.
“The presence of God is the joy of his people, but any suspicion of his absence is distracting beyond measure…. It is not the trouble, but the hiding of our Father’s face, which cuts us to the quick.” (Spurgeon)
The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor- this part of the verse explains why the psalmist was so troubled by the ‘inactivity of God.’ He sees the wicked persecuting the poor, and they sin against the LORD by approving other sinners (blesses the greedy), and renounces the LORD. Also, they rejects the authority and sovereignty of God (God is in none of his thoughts).
Seeing all these, the psalmist prays with a broken heart, “Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.” “There are none who will dispute the justice of God, when he shall hang every Haman on his own gallows, and cast all the enemies of his Daniels into their own den of lions.” (Spurgeon)
Reflection: Though we feel as God is afar, but remember, He is an everlasting rock where we can rely at all time and He is always with us until the end of this age.
