---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 10"
description: "PSALM 10   :-. The Psalmist mourns God"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/10"
---

PSALM 10

. The Psalmist mourns God's apparent indifference to his
troubles, which are aggravated by the successful malice, blasphemy,
pride, deceit, and profanity of the wicked. On the just and
discriminating providence of God he relies for the destruction of
their false security, and the defense of the needy.

**1.** These are, of course,
figurative terms (compare [Psalms 7:6](../../../kjv/psalms/7/6);
[Psalms 13:1](../../../kjv/psalms/13/1), &c.).
**hidest**—Supply "thine
eyes" or "face."

**2.** Literally, "In pride of
the wicked they (the poor or humble, [Psalms 10:17](../../../kjv/psalms/10/17);
[Psalms 12:5](../../../kjv/psalms/12/5)) shall be taken in the
devices they (the proud) have imagined."

**3. heart's**—or, "soul's."
**desire**—that is, his
success in evil.
**and blesseth,** &c.—he
(the wicked) blesseth the covetous, he despiseth the Lord.

**4.** The face expresses the
self-conceit, whose fruit is practical atheism ().

**5, 6.** Such is his confidence in
the permanence of his way or course of life, that he disregards God's
providential government (*out of sight,* because he will not
look, [Isaiah 26:11](../../../kjv/isaiah/26/11)), sneers at
his enemies, and boasts perpetual freedom from evil.

**7-10.** The malignity and deceit
([Psalms 140:3](../../../kjv/psalms/140/3)) of such are
followed by acts combining cunning, fraud, and violence (compare
[Proverbs 1:11](../../../kjv/proverbs/1/11); [Proverbs 1:18](../../../kjv/proverbs/1/18)),
aptly illustrated by the habits of the lion, and of hunters taking
their prey. "Poor," in [Psalms 10:8](../../../kjv/psalms/10/8);
[Psalms 10:10](../../../kjv/psalms/10/10); [Psalms 10:14](../../../kjv/psalms/10/14),
represents a word peculiar to this Psalm, meaning the sad or
sorrowful; in [Psalms 10:9](../../../kjv/psalms/10/9), as
usual, it means the pious or meek sufferer.

**8. eyes . . . privily**—He
watches with half-closed eyes, appearing not to see.

**7-10.** The malignity and deceit
([Psalms 140:3](../../../kjv/psalms/140/3)) of such are
followed by acts combining cunning, fraud, and violence (compare
[Proverbs 1:11](../../../kjv/proverbs/1/11); [Proverbs 1:18](../../../kjv/proverbs/1/18)),
aptly illustrated by the habits of the lion, and of hunters taking
their prey. "Poor," in [Psalms 10:8](../../../kjv/psalms/10/8);
[Psalms 10:10](../../../kjv/psalms/10/10); [Psalms 10:14](../../../kjv/psalms/10/14),
represents a word peculiar to this Psalm, meaning the sad or
sorrowful; in [Psalms 10:9](../../../kjv/psalms/10/9), as
usual, it means the pious or meek sufferer.

**10. croucheth**—as a lion
gathers himself into as small compass as possible to make the greater
spring.
**fall by his strong ones**—The
figure of the lion is dropped, and this phrase means the accomplices
of the chief or leading wicked man.

**11.** As before, such conduct
implies disbelief or disregard of God's government.

**12.** (Compare [Psalms 9:19](../../../kjv/psalms/9/19);
[Psalms 3:7](../../../kjv/psalms/3/7)).
**the humble**—(Compare [Psalms 3:7](../../../kjv/psalms/3/7), and *Margin*.)
**lift up thine hand**—exert
thy power.

**13, 14.** It is in vain to suppose
God will overlook sin, however forbearing; for He carefully examines
or beholds all wickedness, and will mark it by His providential
(Thine hand) punishment.

**14. mischief and spite**—provocation
and trouble of the sufferer (compare [Psalms 6:7](../../../kjv/psalms/6/7);
[Psalms 7:14](../../../kjv/psalms/7/14)).
**committeth**—or, "leaves
(his burden) on Thee."

**15. arm**—power.
**till thou find none**—So
far from not requiting ([Psalms 10:11](../../../kjv/psalms/10/11);
[Psalms 10:13](../../../kjv/psalms/10/13)), God will utterly
destroy the wicked and his deeds ([Psalms 9:5](../../../kjv/psalms/9/5);
[Psalms 9:6](../../../kjv/psalms/9/6); [Psalms 34:16](../../../kjv/psalms/34/16);
[Psalms 37:36](../../../kjv/psalms/37/36)).

**16-18.** God reigns. The wicked,
if for a time successful, shall be cut off. He hears and confirms the
hearts of His suffering people (), executes justice for the feeble, and represses the pride
and violence of conceited, though frail, men (compare ).

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