Psalm 10
Psalm 10 is a lament. The author is under attack from evildoers and is struggling to see God clearly because of his circumstances. This Psalmist sees the wicked person getting away with their sin and “prospering” from treating others badly. This is a lament to use with women in difficult or destructive marriages.
God’s word addresses these fears, confusion, sadness, and loneliness. The bible is real about real life and the difficulties faced in this sin cursed world. God’s word gives real hope for real life sufferers in oppressive marriages..
As you read Psalm 10, underline the ways you have felt or the questions you have asked. Look at the way evildoers are portrayed and the way scripture is real about how abusers view God and themselves. An abuser believes he will get away with his sin, but he does not take into account God’s omniscience, justice, and holiness. In verse twelve the Psalmist cries out for help. Then notice in verse 14 the turn to God and how the Psalmist takes confidence in God. The Psalmist reminds himself who God is and the hope found in knowing God’s character.
Psalm 10
1 Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2 In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor;
let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.
3 For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul,
and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord.
4 In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him;
all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
5 His ways prosper at all times;
your judgments are on high, out of his sight;
as for all his foes, he puffs at them.
6 He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved;
throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.”
7 His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression;
under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.
8 He sits in ambush in the villages;
in hiding places he murders the innocent.
His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;
9 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.
10 The helpless are crushed, sink down,
and fall by his might.
11 He says in his heart, “God has forgotten,
he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”
12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand;
forget not the afflicted.
13 Why does the wicked renounce God
and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”?
14 But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,
that you may take it into your hands;
to you the helpless commits himself;
you have been the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;
call his wickedness to account till you find none.
16 The Lord is king forever and ever;
the nations perish from his land.
17 O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.
A Psalmist’s Lament
The Psalmist begins by asking God where he is. The Psalmist feels like God is not present with him. He feels like God is absent or hiding. But feelings do not dictate truth. Feelings evaluate our circumstances from our own desires and understanding and can forget the truth about God. This Psalmist takes those feelings to God. This is a lament. The author expresses to God that it feels like God isn’t with him or isn’t seeing what is going on. The fact that this is a prayer to God shows faith. Even though the Psalmist feels alone, he cries out to God with those feelings knowing that God does hear even when it doesn’t seem like it.
The Psalmist continues his complaint in describing the wicked. The wicked are selfish for their desires (or lovers of self as 2 Timothy 3 says) and are greedy for gain. The wicked pridefully act as if there is no God who sees their actions and no God will hold them accountable. The wicked live as if they will not be challenged and prey on the helpless and innocent. The language of “lurks”, “stealthily”, “ambush” and “seizes” are words that make the oppressed fearful of what may be coming and then trapped when caught by the abuser.
The Psalmist cried out for help in verse 12. “Arise, O Lord,; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted”. This prayer turns to requests and pleading with God to intervene and take action. The Psalmist knows God’s character. God is for His children. God is merciful and faithful to His people. Again, the Psalmist is demonstrating faith by talking to the One who can help. He calls God the “helper of the fatherless” and asks God to take the “mischief and vexation” into His hands to deal with the abuse. God encourages us through these laments to ask for His help and to request help. Just as Jesus prayed the night He was arrested, “Not my will but Your will be done” is essential. God may not deliver you immediately or even in the next few years. But God’s will is right and holy and He is working His perfect plan out. He invites our requests and bringing those to God grows your relationship with Him as you trust His answer.
The Psalmist then turns to the truth about God's character and a commitment to trust Him. The author calls God “king forever and ever” and says, “you hear the desire of the afflicted”. This Psalmist knows God hears and knows that as king forever he is talking to the Sovereign who can act on his behalf. He concludes his lament with trusting that God will “do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed”. Justice is coming. God is just and He cannot overlook sin as a holy God. This is a commitment to trust God’s timing in bringing the judgment God’s character requires.
Pattern of Lament
The pattern of a lament is to bring your emotions, doubts, questions to God first. This address to God demonstrates that you know God’s character and you know your own needs. This includes your emotions and what seems to be true of your circumstances. Express to God what it is like for you in your marriage.
2. Then, ask God for help. In faith, trust that God hears you. God wants to help. He desires that we be humble and dependent on Him. When we ask we show our faith in Him and our recognition that we need His grace, strength, and courage to continue. What help do you need?
3. Then, talk to God and praise Him. Talk to God about His attributes and that you commit to trust Him to deal righteously with your abuser and have compassion to bring justice to you.
Follow this pattern and write your own lament.