Focal Passage: Psalm 10:1-4,12-18
Where are you Lord? The psalmist begins this passage with the question of God’s distance from him. I have heard so many people, even Christians for that matter, often speak of God seeming distant from them. They often say, “I don’t see God in my circumstance.” This is not an emotion that was unfamiliar even for the biblical writer.
In Psalm 22:11 the psalmist pleads, “Do not be far from me, because distress is near and there is no one to help.” Psalm 44:24 asks, “Why do You hide Yourself and forget our affliction and oppression?”
You hear the desperation in Psalm 71:10-12 as the Psalmist cries out, “For my enemies talk about me, and those who spy on me plot together, saying, “God has abandoned him; chase him and catch him, for there is no one to rescue him.”
God, do not be far from me; my God, hurry to help me.” The desire for the presence and justice of God is as old as history itself. Psalm 14:1 declares, “The fool says in his heart, “God does not exist.”
They are corrupt; their actions are revolting. There is no one who does good.”
Johnson
God does not forget the oppressed. There is a repetitive call for justice throughout all of Scripture. God’s very nature is one that is faithful and just. The psalmist calls on God to awaken and to rise up against the unjust. Psalm 9:19-20 says, “ Rise up, Lord! Do not let man prevail; let the nations be judged in Your presence.
Put terror in them, Lord; let the nations know they are only men.” Even our secular world loves to watch a good movie that has a distinct good and evil in the plot. We want to see the good triumph over the bad and see justice prevail.
In verse 14, God is correctly described as the “helper of the Fatherless.” Psalm 10:14 expands upon this thought, “But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.” We know that God’s Hand is not shortened to help or to defend the innocent. In Psalm 72:12 we have the promise, “For He will deliver the needy when he cries, the poor also, and him who has no helper.”
The Lord is King forever. In verses 16-18 the Lord is declared King and His compassion for the oppressed and Fatherless is acknowledged.
The Word of God should bring great encouragement to the oppressed.
It is promised that God will ultimately right every wrong with His just Hand. We are reminded by the Apostle Paul, “That the sufferings of this life do not even compare to what will be revealed.”
When we think of all that Paul suffered there should be a calm assurance that the Lord is in control of every circumstance that we will ever face. We should be reminded that the Psalmist says, “The Lord is King forever and ever.” This is the promise we have concerning His future Kingship.
Revelation 17:14 tells us, “These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings.” B&R
