The Book of Psalms
Psalm 10
Psalm X · Vol. II, pp. 992–993
1 David complaineth to God of the outrages of the wicked. 12 He prayeth for redress. 16 He professeth his confidence.
2 The bwicked in his pride doth persecute1 the poor: clet them2 be taken in the devices that they have imagined.3
A.M. cir. 2946. B.C. cir. 1058.
b Ex.18.11. De.32.27. Is.10.12,13.
1 Heb. In the pride of the wicked he doth persecute.
2 That is, the wicked and covetous, ver. 3.—C.
3 They attempt to wrong and defraud those who, from mental affliction, bodily suffering, or helpless social condition, are at the mercy of others. 'Let them be taken (exposed and entrapped) in the very schemes which they had devised.'—P.
3 For the wicked dboasteth of his heart's4 desire, and eblesseth the covetous, whom the LORD 5abhorreth.6
d Ps.35.21,25; 36.2,3; 52.7; 73.8,9.
4 Heb. soul's.
5 Or, the covetous blesseth himself, he abhorreth the LORD.
6 The wicked man boasts in the gratification of his own lusts and passions. When he prospers in business he blesses or congratulates himself—his own plans, energy, and success; and he despises God.—P.
4 The wicked, gthrough the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: hGod is not in all his thoughts.
5 Hisi ways are always grievous; thy judgments are jfar above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he kpuffeth at them.
6 He hath said in his heart, lI shall not be moved: for I shall never7 be in adversity.
l Is.47.8. Re.18.7. 1 Th.5.2,3.
7 Heb. unto generation and generation.
7 Hisn mouth is full of cursing, and deceit,8 and fraud: under his tongue9 is mischief1 and vanity.2
8 He ositteth in the lurking places of the villages; in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set3 against the poor.
o Pr.1.11,12. Hab.3.14. Ps.17.11. Mi.7.2.
3 Heb. hide themselves.
9 He lieth in wait secretly4 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.
4 Heb. in the secret places.
10 He croucheth,5 and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.6
5 Heb. he breaketh himself.
6 Or, into his strong parts.
14 Thou uhast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth8 himself unto thee; thou art the vhelper of the fatherless.
15 Breakx thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: yseek out his wickedness till thou find none.
17 LORD, bthou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare9 their heart, cthou wilt cause thine ear to hear;
b ver.12,14. Ps.9.12,18. Le.26.41. 2 Ch.34.27. Ja.4.10. 1 Pe.5.5.
9 Or, establish.
Notes
Ver. 1. Read Ps. 22. 1, 18, which the Holy Spirit expressly applies to Christ, then compare the whole of Ps. xxii. with Ps. x., and their perfect parallelism will clearly show that this psalm is a description of Christ cruelly persecuted by Herod, ungratefully betrayed by Judas, impiously denounced by Caiaphas, and unjustly condemned by Pilate. C.
Ver. 9. The poor, that is, the poor in spirit, whose hearts have been emptied of all vanity and self-righteousness, Mat. 5. 3. C.
Ver. 10. The true meaning of this verse seems to be 'crushed, he sinks down; the poor man falleth under (the power of) the mighty.' The reference is not to oppressor, but to the oppressed; not to the tyrant, but the victim. P.—Strong ones. Literally exemplified in that affected humility with which the Inquisition was wont to deliver the martyrs of truth to the secular arm, and hypocritically to commend her victims to mercy. C.
Ver. 12. Seing the tyranny and power of the wicked, and the helplessness of the oppressed, the psalmist appeals to God. He alone, infinite in wisdom and power, can succour and save the poor and needy. P.
Ver. 15. The appeal is here made to God as a righteous ruler. It is justice and not vengeance that the writer asks. There is nothing either harsh or cruel in justice. P.
Ver. 16. Heathen are perished out of his land. This expression refers the fulfilment of the psalm to that time when the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, Re. 11. 15, and which shall eventuate in that glorious day, when 'Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all,' Re. 19. 21. C.
Reflections.—What a heavy burden to an exercised saint are the hidings and frowns of his God! and the greatest saints undergo the severest trials of their faith. Men's persecutions, or Satan's temptations, often unite with God's absence to distress the soul. Behold into what dreadful monsters sin has transformed men—proud—persecutors—boasters—covetous—prayerless—careless of God and religion—disobedient—impenitent—insolent—secure—profane—treacherous—heretical—murderous—hypocritical—blasphemous! But their wickedness is all before the Lord. And to revenge their affronting of himself, to honour his people's relation to, dependence on, and expectations from him, and to manifest his wonted readiness to appear in their behalf, he will quickly arise to punish them. And when God breaks the power, and in awful judgment manifests the wickedness, of their enemies, he deals kindly with his people. When the wicked are cast down, they are lifted up to safety, holiness, and honour. And he usually pours out upon them a remarkable spirit of humility, and of earnest supplication, as the mean of ushering in their deliverance.