Psalms 10

Theme: Why do the wicked succeed? Although God may seem to be hidden at times, we can be assured that he is aware of every injustice.

Author: Anonymous, but probably David. Many ancient manuscripts combine Psalms 9 and 10, and Psalm 9 was written by David.

1Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? +

2The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. +

3For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. +

4The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. +

5His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. +

6He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. +

7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. +

8He 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. +

9He 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. +

10He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.

11He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it. +

12Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble. +

13Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.

14Thou 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. +

15Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none. +

16The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. +

17LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: +

18To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress. +