“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.”
The metaphor of the wicked crouching like a lion in his den and hiding to catch the poor suggests animal predation and passive hunting where the victim approaches unknowingly. The lion imagery emphasizes the wicked's strength and the prey's vulnerability, making the encounter inherently unequal. The crouching and hiding suggest patient strategy and the wicked's willingness to invest time and effort in capturing victims. This verse emphasizes the cruel efficiency of the wicked's predatory violence.
Church Fathers on Psalms 10:9
“Why, O Lord,” says he, “have You withdrawn afar off?”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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