Overview:
(NET), Many Hebrew MSS and the ancient Greek version (LXX) combine Psalms 9 and 10 into a single psalm. Taken in isolation, Psalm 10 is a petition for help in which the psalmist urges the Lord to deliver him from his dangerous enemies, whom he describes in vivid and terrifying detail. The psalmist concludes with confidence; he is certain that God’s justice will prevail.
(1) Continuing from Ps 9, the wicked nations suppressed David and his people (the oppressed) and thus he cried out to God for deliverance.
10:1 Why, LORD, do you stand far off?
Why do you pay no attention during times of trouble?
We share the same feeling now under the Covid 19.
(2) In v.2-11 David gave more pictures about the wicked. Repeated idea in this Psalm is the arrogance of the wicked.
10:4 The wicked man is so arrogant he always thinks,
“God won’t hold me accountable; he doesn’t care.”
10:11 He says to himself,
“God overlooks it;
he does not pay attention;
he never notices.”
v.13 He says to himself, “You will not hold me accountable.
What does it mean for for the wicked to say, "God does not pay attention..?"
(NET), "a confident affirmation that he is unconcerned about how men live morally and ethically (see v. 11)."
He did whatever he wanted to hurt the oppressed and he did not pay attention to God's command. There will be no punishment.
Reflection: Do you feel you are the oppressed by the unbelieving world? Or you yourself thinks that God will not pay attention to what you do. We thinks that God will not notice if I just do/see/hear this thing which God does not want me to do/see/hear. Remember, v.4, said this is arrogant. Pray that we will not fall into that mindset.
(3) From v.12-15, (NET), The psalmist’s mood changes from lament to petition and confidence.
v.12a Rise up, LORD!
Again, David called on Yahweh, the covenant God. Unlike what the wicked thought, God would notice them and He would punish them.
10:14 You have taken notice,
for you always see one who inflicts pain and suffering.
The unfortunate victim entrusts his cause to you;
you deliver the fatherless.
10:15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man!
Hold him accountable for his wicked deeds,
which he thought you would not discover.
Note: The wicked thought God would not discover, but the psalmist was confident that God have taken notice, you always see, you have heard the request (v.17) and hold him accountable.
Reflection: On one hand, David called on God v.11-13, but on the other hand David was confident that God have taken noticed. This is the tension of prayer. Yes, we need to pray but we are also confident that God have heard and He always see. When we checked on the statistics of Covid 19 every morning we need to pray for the pandemic but we should also believe that God knew about that, too.
(4) In 16-18, (NET) the psalmist is confident that God has responded positively to his earlier petitions for divine intervention.
v.16 God rules forever!
That is true before, during and after the pandemic.
10:17 LORD, you have heard the request of the oppressed;
you make them feel secure because you listen to their prayer
Do you feel secure already because you know that God has listened to your prayer? Will you start to praise God now for what He will do to the Covin 19?
Audrey
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