PSALM X _The psalmist complains to God of the oppressions which the poor_ _suffer from the wicked man, whom he describes as the hater of_ _the poor_, 1, 2; _proud_, 3; _one who will not seek God_, 4; _and is regardless of his judgments_, 5; _self-confident_, 6; _blasphemous and deceitful_, 7... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 10:2. _THE WICKED IN_ HIS _PRIDE_] On no principle of _nature_ or _reason_ can we account for a _wicked man_ persecuting a _humble_ _follower of God_ because of his _religion_. The devil hates godliness; and the wicked man hates it also, because the devil is in his heart.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 10:3. _BOASTETH OF HIS HEART'S DESIRE_] Boasts among his fellows how often he has gratified such and such passions, in such and such circumstances. This shows the excess of a depraved and imbruted spirit. He who can boast of his iniquity, is in the broad road to perdition. Should such a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 10:4. _WILL NOT SEEK_ AFTER GOD] He is too _proud_ to bend his knee before his Judge; he is too haughty to put on sackcloth, and lay himself in the dust, though without deep repentance and humiliation he must without doubt perish everlastingly.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 10:5. _HIS WAYS ARE ALWAYS GRIEVOUS_] Or, _He is travailing in_ _pain_ to bring _forth iniquity at all times_. He is full of lust, or _irregular_ and _unholy desires_; he _conceives_ and _brings forth_ _sin_; and sin being finished, time, place, and opportunity concurring, _death_ is _s... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 10:6. _I SHALL NOT BE MOVED_] I have whatever I covet. I hold whatsoever I have gotten. I have money and goods to procure me every gratification.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 10:7. _HIS MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING, AND DECEIT, AND FRAUD_] What a finished character! A blasphemer, a deceitful man, and a knave!... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 10:8. _HE SITTETH IN THE LURKING PLACES_] In this and the following verse there appears to be an allusion to _espionage_, or setting of _spies_ on a man's conduct; or to the conduct of an assassin or private murderer. He sitteth in _lurking_ places-in _secret_ places; his _eyes_-spies-a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 10:10. _HE CROUCHETH_] Of the scoffing, mocking, insulting, and _insidious_ conduct of _Sanballat, Tobiah_, and _Geshem_, the fourth and sixth chapters of _Nehemiah_ give abundant proof; and possibly the allusion is to them. The lion squats down and gathers himself together, that he may... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 10:11. _GOD HATH FORGOTTEN_] He hath cast off this people, and he will never more re-establish them. So _Sanballat_ thought.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 10:12. _ARISE, O LORD_] Hear their reproaches see their guile, consider thy oppressed people. "Lift up thine hand," _threaten_ them, that they may desist and repent. If they repent not let them be punished.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 10:13. _WHEREFORE DOTH THE WICKED CONTEMN GOD?_] How is it that the Lord permits such persons to triumph in their iniquity? The longsuffering of God leadeth them to repentance.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 10:14. _THOU HAST SEEN_ it] Nothing can escape thy notice. Thou hast not forgotten thy justice, though judgment is not speedily executed on an evil work. But thou _wilt requite it with thy hand_. By thy _power_ thou wilt cast down and destroy the wicked. _THE POOR COMMITTETH HIMSELF UN... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 10:15. _BREAK THOU THE ARM_] Destroy his _power_, deprive him of his _influence_, that he may be no longer able to oppress. _SEEK OUT HIS WICKEDNESS_ TILL _THOU FIND NONE._] All his public haunts and private ways shall be investigated; thou wilt bring all his villanies to light, and co... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 10:16. _THE LORD_ IS _KING FOR EVER_] He has, and ever will have, the supreme power. _THE HEATHEN ARE PERISHED OUT OF HIS LAND._] They are all either cut off or _converted_. This may refer to the _Canaanites_. What a mercy that we can say this of our own country! Once it was entirely h... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 10:17. _LORD, THOU HAST HEARD_] Thou hast not permitted thy tempted and afflicted followers to pray in vain. _THOU WILT PREPARE THEIR HEART_] See the economy of the grace of God: 1. God _prepares_ the _heart_; 2. _Suggests the prayer_; 3. _Hears_ what is prayed; 4. _Answers_ the pe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 10:18. _THAT THE MAN OF THE EARTH MAY NO MORE OPPRESS._] I believe the Hebrew will be better translated thus: "That he may not add any more to drive away the wretched man from the land." Destroy the influence of the tyrant; and let him not have it again in his power to add even one addi... [ Continue Reading ]