In this psalm the writer is asking God to act not against nations outside Israel but the misuse of power and evil inside the nation. Although he starts with this plea he realizes that God is in control no matter what it looks like, so he ends by thanking God for the justice that He will eventually bring.
This psalm provides a picture of what is happening our nation today. The psalmist's prayer was answered, in part, by the coming of Jesus.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NLT) 6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
The final answer will come when He returns, and He’s coming soon.
Revelation 22:20 (NLT) He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
From YouVersion Eat this Book: One Year with Daily Psalm Reading Plan - In light of the brazen abuses committed by wicked people, the psalmist wondered aloud, “Why, Lord, do you stand far off?” (v. 1). At first glance, it would seem that the perennial question of the problem of evil has again stolen the spotlight and remained unanswered. Yet, the psalmist’s conclusion suggests not only an answer, but also an entirely different emphasis — a faith-filled focus on the trustworthiness and action of God. Consider the psalmist’s proclamation that “the Lord is King for ever and ever” (v. 16)! Clearly he believed that God hears, God sees, God acts and God defends “the fatherless and the oppressed”; and God promises that the wicked, ultimately, “will never again strike terror” (v. 18). The truth is that God is in control. God’s kingdom is now, and it is coming. God will reign as King. The bottom line is that the reality of God’s authority and actions come to bear on today’s injustices — if not now, then in the future. Because of this, God’s people can take heart in the good news that Jesus is coming, and he is “coming soon”
This psalm provides a picture of what is happening our nation today. The psalmist's prayer was answered, in part, by the coming of Jesus.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NLT) 6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
The final answer will come when He returns, and He’s coming soon.
Revelation 22:20 (NLT) He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
From YouVersion Eat this Book: One Year with Daily Psalm Reading Plan - In light of the brazen abuses committed by wicked people, the psalmist wondered aloud, “Why, Lord, do you stand far off?” (v. 1). At first glance, it would seem that the perennial question of the problem of evil has again stolen the spotlight and remained unanswered. Yet, the psalmist’s conclusion suggests not only an answer, but also an entirely different emphasis — a faith-filled focus on the trustworthiness and action of God. Consider the psalmist’s proclamation that “the Lord is King for ever and ever” (v. 16)! Clearly he believed that God hears, God sees, God acts and God defends “the fatherless and the oppressed”; and God promises that the wicked, ultimately, “will never again strike terror” (v. 18). The truth is that God is in control. God’s kingdom is now, and it is coming. God will reign as King. The bottom line is that the reality of God’s authority and actions come to bear on today’s injustices — if not now, then in the future. Because of this, God’s people can take heart in the good news that Jesus is coming, and he is “coming soon”
God Is In Control
Psalms 10:1-18 (NLT) O Lord , why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble? The wicked arrogantly hunt down the poor. Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others. For they brag about their evil desires; they praise the greedy and curse the Lord . The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead. Yet they succeed in everything they do. They do not see your punishment awaiting them. They sneer at all their enemies. They think, “Nothing bad will ever happen to us! We will be free of trouble forever!” Their mouths are full of cursing, lies, and threats. Trouble and evil are on the tips of their tongues. They lurk in ambush in the villages, waiting to murder innocent people. They are always searching for helpless victims. Like lions crouched in hiding, they wait to pounce on the helpless. Like hunters they capture the helpless and drag them away in nets. Their helpless victims are crushed; they fall beneath the strength of the wicked. The wicked think, “God isn’t watching us! He has closed his eyes and won’t even see what we do!” Arise, O Lord ! Punish the wicked, O God! Do not ignore the helpless! Why do the wicked get away with despising God? They think, “God will never call us to account.” But you see the trouble and grief they cause. You take note of it and punish them. The helpless put their trust in you. You defend the orphans. Break the arms of these wicked, evil people! Go after them until the last one is destroyed. The Lord is king forever and ever! The godless nations will vanish from the land. Lord , you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them.
Psalms 10:1-18 (NLT) O Lord , why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble? The wicked arrogantly hunt down the poor. Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others. For they brag about their evil desires; they praise the greedy and curse the Lord . The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead. Yet they succeed in everything they do. They do not see your punishment awaiting them. They sneer at all their enemies. They think, “Nothing bad will ever happen to us! We will be free of trouble forever!” Their mouths are full of cursing, lies, and threats. Trouble and evil are on the tips of their tongues. They lurk in ambush in the villages, waiting to murder innocent people. They are always searching for helpless victims. Like lions crouched in hiding, they wait to pounce on the helpless. Like hunters they capture the helpless and drag them away in nets. Their helpless victims are crushed; they fall beneath the strength of the wicked. The wicked think, “God isn’t watching us! He has closed his eyes and won’t even see what we do!” Arise, O Lord ! Punish the wicked, O God! Do not ignore the helpless! Why do the wicked get away with despising God? They think, “God will never call us to account.” But you see the trouble and grief they cause. You take note of it and punish them. The helpless put their trust in you. You defend the orphans. Break the arms of these wicked, evil people! Go after them until the last one is destroyed. The Lord is king forever and ever! The godless nations will vanish from the land. Lord , you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them.
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