Psalm 10 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.
4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
More Psalms Chapter 10 (Old Testament)
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.
10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
More Psalms Chapter 10 (Old Testament)
13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.
14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
16 The Lord is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 10:17
Verse: יְהוָה, שָׁמַע תְּפִלָּתִי, הַבִּיטָה בְּעַנְיֵי-יָתוֹם
Transliteration: Adonai, shamah tefillati, habita b’anyei-yatom
English: “Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble; you encourage them, and you listen to the orphan.”
Focus Word: עָנִי (Ani)
- Root: ע-נ-ה (Ayin-Nun-He)
- Meaning: “Poor,” “humble,” “afflicted.”
- Deeper Insight: Hebrew “ani” conveys both material need and spiritual humility. God’s care is for those who depend entirely on Him.
Biblical Scholars on This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 10 |
|---|---|---|
| John Lightfoot (Jesus College, Cambridge, 1602–1675) | Commentarius Hebraicus in Psalmos | Lightfoot interprets the Psalm as a model of praying for God’s justice against the proud and violent. |
| Matthew Henry (Christ Church, Oxford, 1662–1714) | Exposition of the Old and New Testament | Henry emphasizes God’s oversight and ultimate triumph over wickedness. |
| Richard Sibbes (Pembroke College, Cambridge, 1577–1635) | The Bruised Reed | Sibbes focuses on trusting God to protect the oppressed and punish the arrogant. |
| John Owen (University of Oxford, 1616–1683) | A Commentary on the Psalms | Owen stresses prayer and patience while awaiting God’s righteous judgment. |
| Thomas Manton (Christ’s College, Cambridge, 1620–1677) | Exposition of the Psalms | Manton highlights the believer’s duty to pray for deliverance from evil and maintain faith in God’s justice. |
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin sees the psalm as the oppressed appealing against arrogant persecutors. The wicked appear triumphant, but God will arise to judge. The psalmist expresses trust in divine justice. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition on the Psalms | Henry interprets the psalm as a plea from those overwhelmed by violence and pride. The wicked act as if God does not see. The psalmist prays for justice and rescue. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes views the psalm as lamenting the triumph of the wicked. God’s seeming distance troubles the psalmist. Yet faith affirms that God will defend the poor. |
| Franz Delitzsch – Commentary on the Psalms | Delitzsch sees the psalm as exposing the arrogance of the wicked. Their confidence in impunity is shattered when God intervenes. God defends the helpless. |
| C. F. Keil – Keil & Delitzsch Commentary | Keil interprets the psalm as contrasting human arrogance with divine oversight. The wicked lie in wait for the innocent. God ultimately hears the cry of the afflicted. |
| J. J. Stewart Perowne – The Psalms | Perowne views the psalm as revealing the moral outrage of the righteous. The wicked prey on the weak. Faith rests in God’s final intervention. |
| William Binnie – The Psalms | Binnie sees the psalm as vivid complaint against lawless persecutors. Their cruelty is unchecked until God rises. The oppressed are upheld by God’s righteousness. |
| Hermann Gunkel – Die Psalmen | Gunkel reads the psalm as a protest against the triumph of wicked men. God’s hiddenness is temporary. He is the defender of the poor. |
| James G. Murphy – Commentary on the Psalms | Murphy interprets the psalm as highlighting the boldness of the wicked. God’s justice will overturn their schemes. The righteous are comforted. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – Commentary on the Psalms | Wordsworth sees the psalm as the Church’s plea against oppression. God will break the arm of the wicked. His judgment reassures the faithful. |
