Psalm 10 | A Cry for Justice in a World of Wickedness

Questioning God’s Seeming Silence

“Why do You stand far away, Lord?
Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?
In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the needy;
Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised.”

The Arrogance of the Wicked

“For the wicked boasts of his soul’s desire,
And the greedy person curses and shows disrespect to the Lord.
The wicked, in his haughtiness, does not seek Him.
There is no God in all his schemes.
His ways succeed at all times;
Yet Your judgments are high, out of his sight.
As for all his adversaries, he snorts at them.
He says to himself, ‘I will not be moved;
Throughout generations I will not be in adversity.’
His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression;
Under his tongue is harm and injustice.”

The Wicked’s Oppression of the Helpless

“He sits in the lurking places of the villages;
He kills the innocent in the secret places;
His eyes surreptitiously watch for the unfortunate.
He lurks in secret like a lion in his lair;
He lurks to catch the needy;
He catches the needy when he pulls him into his net.
Then he crushes the needy one, who cowers;
And unfortunate people fall by his mighty power.
He says to himself, ‘God has forgotten;
He has hidden His face; He will never see it.’”

Calling on God to Act

“Arise, Lord; God, lift up Your hand.
Do not forget the humble.
Why has the wicked treated God disrespectfully?
He has said to himself, ‘You will not require an account.’
You have seen it, for You have looked at harm and provocation to take it into Your hand.
The unfortunate commits himself to You;
You have been the helper of the orphan.
Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer,
Seek out his wickedness until You find none.”

Confidence in God’s Justice

“The Lord is King forever and ever;
Nations have perished from His land.
Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will strengthen their heart, You will make Your ear attentive
To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed,
So that mankind, which is of the earth, will no longer cause terror.”

Context and Meaning

[Psalm 9 combined with 10 are one of the alphabetical, or acrostic, psalms (together they’re one psalm). In the acrostic psalms, the first letter of each verse, or sometimes of each line of poetry, follows the order of the Hebrew alphabet.] Psalm 10 is a heartfelt plea for God’s justice in the face of evil and oppression. The psalmist, frustrated by the success of the wicked, cries out for God to intervene and defend the helpless.

Key Themes:

God’s Apparent Distance in Trouble: The psalmist asks why God seems silent while the wicked oppress the innocent (v. 1-2).
The Arrogance of the Wicked: The wicked boast in their sin, acting as if God does not see or care (v. 3-11).
The Cry for Divine Justice: The psalmist pleads for God to act, to break the power of the wicked and help the oppressed (v. 12-15).
Confidence in God’s Eternal Justice: The psalm ends with hope and assurance that God will hear, defend, and reign forever (v. 16-18).

This Psalm is a raw and honest lament, expressing both deep frustration and unshaken faith in God’s ultimate justice.

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 10 speaks to anyone who has ever felt like evil is winning or that God is silent in the face of injustice:

God Sees, Even When He Seems Silent: The psalmist’s cry reminds us that even when God feels distant, He is still watching (Habakkuk 1:2-3).
The Wicked Believe They Can Escape Judgment: Those who reject God live as if there are no consequences, but their time will come (Ecclesiastes 8:11-13).
God is the Defender of the Weak: The psalm declares that God cares for the oppressed, including the poor, orphans, and victims of injustice (Psalm 68:5).
Faith Perseveres in the Waiting: Even before seeing justice, the psalmist proclaims that God is King and will act—a powerful act of faith (Romans 12:19).

Psalm 10 reminds us that even in times of great evil, God remains in control and will bring ultimate justice.

Application

Cry Out to God When You See Injustice: Do not stay silent when evil seems to prevail—pray for God’s intervention (Luke 18:7-8).
Remember That God’s Judgment is Sure: Though wickedness may seem unchecked, God will hold the wicked accountable (Revelation 20:12-13).
Trust That God Cares for the Oppressed: If you feel abandoned, know that God sees, hears, and defends the weak (Isaiah 41:10).
Act as an Advocate for Justice: As believers, we are called to stand up for the oppressed and reflect God’s heart for justice (Micah 6:8).

Closing Thought

Psalm 10 is both a lament and a declaration of faith—though wickedness may seem unchecked, God’s justice will prevail. The question is not whether God sees, but whether we will trust in His perfect timing.

TIME FOR PROVIDENCE