“To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.”
The final petition that God will do justice for the orphan and oppressed and no longer permit mortals to cause terror asserts that divine judgment must eliminate the conditions enabling human cruelty. The specific mention of orphans and oppressed reiterates concern for the most vulnerable and establishes that justice requires their protection. The plea that mortals cease causing terror appeals to God to transform the world so that human violence becomes impossible. This verse concludes by articulating the vision motivating the entire lament: a world where the weak are protected and terror ceases.
Church Fathers on Psalms 10:18
“Why, O Lord,” says he, “have You withdrawn afar off?” Psalm 9:1. Then he who thus inquired, as if all on a sudden he understood, or as if he asked, though he knew, that he might teach, adds, “You despise in due seasons, in tribulations:” that is, You despise seasonably, and causest tribulations to inflame men's minds with longing for Your coming. For that fountain of life is sweeter to them that have much thirst. Therefore he hints the reason of the delay, saying, “Whilst…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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