Psalms 10:1

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;

strives by subtlety and treachery to destroy the poor, 8-10;

and supposes that God is regardless of his conduct, 11.

The psalmist calls earnestly on God to preserve the poor and

humble, and cast down the oppressor, 12-15.

He foresees that his prayer is heard; that judgment will be

executed, and the poor delivered, 16-18.

NOTES ON PSALM X

Verse Psalms 10:1. Why standest thou afar off, O Lord?] This Psalm makes a part of the preceding in the Vulgate and Septuagint; and in four of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS. It seems to belong to the time of the captivity, or the return of the captives. It was probably made in reference to Sanballat, and the other enemies or the Jews. There is a great similarity between this and Psalms 13, Psalms 14, Psalms 35, and Psalms 53. In these, as Calmet remarks, we find the same complaints, the same sentiments, and almost the same expressions.

God is represented here as standing at some distance, beholding the oppression of his people, and yet apparently disregarding it.