Psalm 10:1-11, NKJV
Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them. He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.” His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net. The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might. He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”
Psalm 10:1-11, JN paraphrase
Why do You desert me, LORD? Here I am faced with a scoundrel who tops all scoundrels and You are hidden from me?
His arrogance tops all; he is convinced that You do not exist or if You do, his wisdom is superior to Yours. He knows not how to convince but only how to denigrate those who oppose him. The helpless are crushed by his venom; his triumph is the destruction of faith.
Recommended Reading
Providence by John Piper. Piper takes two words, “God’s Benefice,” replaces it with one word, “Providence” and then takes 704 pages to explain what he means. Truly a delightful read.
