1.
Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
1. These are, of course,
figurative terms (compare Psalms 7:6;
Psalms 13:1, &c.).
hidest—Supply "thine
eyes" or "face."
2.
The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
2. Literally, "In pride of
the wicked they (the poor or humble, Psalms 10:17;
Psalms 12:5) shall be taken in the
devices they (the proud) have imagined."
3.
For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
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 wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
4. The face expresses the
self-conceit, whose fruit is practical atheism ().
5.
His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
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), sneers at
his enemies, and boasts perpetual freedom from evil.
6.
He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
7.
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
7-10. The malignity and deceit
(Psalms 140:3) of such are
followed by acts combining cunning, fraud, and violence (compare
Proverbs 1:11; Proverbs 1:18),
aptly illustrated by the habits of the lion, and of hunters taking
their prey. "Poor," in Psalms 10:8;
Psalms 10:10; Psalms 10:14,
represents a word peculiar to this Psalm, meaning the sad or
sorrowful; in Psalms 10:9, as
usual, it means the pious or meek sufferer.
8.
He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
8. eyes . . . privily—He
watches with half-closed eyes, appearing not to see.
9.
He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.
7-10. The malignity and deceit
(Psalms 140:3) of such are
followed by acts combining cunning, fraud, and violence (compare
Proverbs 1:11; Proverbs 1:18),
aptly illustrated by the habits of the lion, and of hunters taking
their prey. "Poor," in Psalms 10:8;
Psalms 10:10; Psalms 10:14,
represents a word peculiar to this Psalm, meaning the sad or
sorrowful; in Psalms 10:9, as
usual, it means the pious or meek sufferer.
10.
He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
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.
He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
11. As before, such conduct
implies disbelief or disregard of God's government.
12.
Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
12. (Compare Psalms 9:19;
Psalms 3:7).
the humble—(Compare Psalms 3:7, and Margin.)
lift up thine hand—exert
thy power.
13.
Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.
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.
Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.
14. mischief and spite—provocation
and trouble of the sufferer (compare Psalms 6:7;
Psalms 7:14).
committeth—or, "leaves
(his burden) on Thee."
15.
Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
15. arm—power.
till thou find none—So
far from not requiting (Psalms 10:11;
Psalms 10:13), God will utterly
destroy the wicked and his deeds (Psalms 9:5;
Psalms 9:6; Psalms 34:16;
Psalms 37:36).
16.
The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.
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 ).
17.
LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
18.
To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.