David had written both Psalm 9 and
10. They are thought to belong together. In our previous discussions, we had
dealt with Psalm 9. Now we shall dwell on Psalm 10 and consider its message to
us. In the first 11 verses, David’s lament gives us the impression that despite
their evil deeds, the wicked seem to be prospering. Haven’t we felt that way
before? When we look at the world, many people who have no regard for God, seem
to be doing so well. Haven’t we wondered, asking why isn’t God doing anything, when
evil seems so blatant and obvious?
This was perhaps how David felt. So
he began by asking, “Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?”
In his heart of hearts, David still acknowledges that God was and still is in
control. What he didn’t understand was why did God remain silent? How could He be
so nonchalant? In his impatience, David felt that those rampant evil were not
as swiftly dealt with as he had wished. He even felt abandoned because God’s
face seemed to be hidden, and he was entertaining a foreboding sense of terror
and lost-ness.
In his distraught, David wondered
about the prosperity of the wicked. So in verses 2-11, he paints for us the
different aspects of a human fallen desire, and shows us the thought process of
the wicked. Firstly, we are told that tyranny of the wicked finds its root in
pride. It had blinded the wicked to the extent that they had no qualm tyrannizing
the afflicted, the poor and needy. Filled with pride, they have only
consideration for their evil desires, and placed it over the fear of God. By
their very actions they spurn God, showing ill regard for Him. They would waylay
and mug the poor and helpless. What’s worst
is their belief that God had forgotten their wickedness and had hidden His face
from them. This is pure self-delusion leading to self-deception.
In other words, wickedness is
blinding. Truths become obscure to the wicked. Everything about them oozes with
evil, in their thoughts, words, deeds and schemes. So they design, devise and
speak evil. Here David describes their evil manner of life. It is seen in their
attitude - they are proud and boastful. It is seen in their action - they exploit
the poor and needy without any conscience. It is seen in their disregard for God
- they boast and curse without any regard for God. They haughtily harden their
hearts toward God, hence they refuse to seek Him. Instead, they would foolishly
entertain the thought that God does not exist. It is also seen in their perspective
of the future - in the abundance of what they have, they cannot see or imagine
the day of accounting. It is seen in the way they treat others presently - they
would sneer at those who oppose them. It is seen in their speech - their mouths
are full of malicious and slanderous deceits. They speak with hidden wicked
agendas. It is seen in their scheme - they act stealthily like a lion seeking
to devour its prey. They kill the innocent. Like a lion, they lurk, catch, crouch
and draw their victims to where they can destroy them.
The wicked starts with the false assumption
that God does not exist, and even if He does, He cannot see. And even if He can
see, He will eventually forget. For us children of God, we are fully aware that
He is all-seeing, all-knowing and all-encompassing. He is present everywhere
and He will take note of our every thought, word and action. He knows our character, conduct, contemplation
and conversation. Beloved, we are under the searchlight of the Holy Spirit. Remember
that the eyes of the Lord run to and fro the whole earth, to show Himself strong
on the behalf of those whose hearts are perfectly His. So take heart!
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