10:1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you pay no attention during times of trouble?
Some theologians think that Psalm 10 is an extension of Psalm 9. Others disagree. This is another psalm of David. In this song, David asked Jehovah why He was standing so far from those who were being oppressed by wicked people? Why was Jehovah not paying attention to those who were in trouble?
10:2 The wicked arrogantly chase the oppressed; the oppressed are trapped by the schemes the wicked have dreamed up.
David sings to Jehovah that the wicked are arrogantly chasing the oppressed. The wicked are dreaming up violent schemes and trapping the oppressed.
10:3 Yes, the wicked man boasts because he gets what he wants; the one who robs others curses and rejects the Lord.
David sings to Jehovah that the wicked men are boasting of their evil deeds. They boast about robbing others. They also curse and reject Jehovah.
10:4 The wicked man is so arrogant he always thinks, “God won’t hold me accountable; he doesn’t care.”
David sings that the wicked man is so arrogant, that he brags that God will not hold him accountable for his wickedness.
10:5 He is secure at all times. He has no regard for your commands; he disdains all his enemies.
David sings that the wicked feel very secure in their actions. They do not pay attention to the Mosaic Law. They hate all of their enemies.
10:6 He says to himself, “I will never be upended, because I experience no calamity.”
David sings to Jehovah that the wicked are boasting that they will never be caught and they will never experience any troubles.
10:7 His mouth is full of curses and deceptive, harmful words; his tongue injures and destroys.
David sings that the mouths of the wicked are full of curses, lies, and harmful words.
10:8 He waits in ambush near the villages; in hidden places he kills the innocent. His eyes look for some unfortunate victim.
David sings that the wicked are waiting in ambush near the villages for more victims. They hide in secret places. Their eyes look for an unfortunate victim. When the victim walks by, then they pounce on them and kill them.
10:9 He lies in ambush in a hidden place, like a lion in a thicket; he lies in ambush, waiting to catch the oppressed; he catches the oppressed by pulling in his net.
David sings that the wicked hide in secret places, just as a lion hides in a bush. When the prey walks by, then the wicked pounces on him like a lion. The wicked catch their victims like fish and drag them off in a net to devour them.
10:10 His victims are crushed and beaten down; they are trapped in his sturdy nets.
David sings that the wicked crush their victims and beat them down to the ground. The wicked catch their victims like fish and trap them in their sturdy nets.
10:11 He says to himself, “God overlooks it; he does not pay attention; he never notices.”
David sings that the wicked were boasting that God overlooks their evil. God never pays attention to what they do. God never notices their evil.
10:12 Rise up, Lord! O God, strike him down! Do not forget the oppressed!
David sings to Jehovah and asks Him to rise up, strike the enemy, and do not forget to defend those who are oppressed. Many times, those who are oppressed think that they have enough courage, intelligence, or tenacity to handle persecution. This is human pride. When a believer is oppressed, he should ask God the Father to intervene on his behalf. No one can take on Satan alone. Even the archangel Michael asked for the Lord to rebuke Satan.
10:13 Why does the wicked man reject God? He says to himself, “You will not hold me accountable.”
Davis asked a question to God. Why do the wicked reject God. David sings the answer. The wicked do not think that God will hold them accountable.
10:14 You have taken notice, for you always see one who inflicts pain and suffering. The unfortunate victim entrusts his cause to you; you deliver the fatherless.
David sings that God has taken notice of the acts of wicked men. God always watches as the wicked inflict pain and suffering on His children. The unfortunate victim who possesses strong Bible doctrine will give his cause to God. God will deliver the faithful from the wicked ones.
10:15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man! Hold him accountable for his wicked deeds, which he thought you would not discover.
David sings that God should break the arm of the wicked men. In this way, the wicked would have no strength over the righteous. David asked God to hold the wicked men accountable for their wicked deeds. The wicked did not think that Jehovah would discover their evil acts.
10:16 The Lord rules forever! The nations are driven out of his land.
David sings that Jehovah rules for eternity. He is in control. He is sovereign over all of history. Jehovah will drive the evil nations out of the land of Israel.
10:17 Lord, you have heard the request of the oppressed; you make them feel secure because you listen to their prayer.
David sings that he is confident that Jehovah has heard his prayer. He is sure that the oppressed will feel secure.
10:18 You defend the fatherless and oppressed, so that mere mortals may no longer terrorize them.
David sings that the orphans and the oppressed are defended by God Himself. Since Jehovah personally defends the orphans and those who are oppressed, then there is no human being who can terrorize them.