Psalms 10
18 verses
Psalm 10 is an individual lament in which the psalmist questions God's apparent absence in the face of the wicked's prosperity and oppression of the poor, articulating a theological crisis of divine silence. The opening cry—Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?—expresses the anguish of those who feel abandoned by God despite remaining faithful. The vivid portrait of the wicked reveals a theology centered on social injustice: the arrogant boast of their desire, the greedy curse and despise the Lord, and the helpless poor are their targets. Yet the psalmist's confidence that God hears the desire of the afflicted suggests that God's justice, though delayed, remains certain and will ultimately vindicate the oppressed. As part of Book I, Psalm 10 deepens the theodicy concerns raised in earlier psalms, challenging readers to maintain faith despite prolonged suffering.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
1
Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
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2
The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
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3
For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.
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4
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
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5
His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
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6
He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
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7
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
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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.
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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.
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10
He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
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11
He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
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12
Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
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13
Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.
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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.
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15
Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
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16
The Lord is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.
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17
Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
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18
To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
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