Psalm 10

10:1
Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you pay no attention during times
of trouble?
2
The wicked arrogantly chase the oppressed; the oppressed are trapped by
the schemes the wicked have dreamed up.
3
Yes, the wicked man boasts because he gets what he wants; the one who robs
others curses and rejects the Lord.
4
The wicked man is so arrogant he always thinks,“God won’t hold me
accountable; he doesn’t care.”
5
He is secure at all times. He has no regard for your commands; he disdains
all his enemies.
6
He says to himself, “I will never be shaken, because I experience no
calamity.”
7
His mouth is full of curses and deceptive, harmful words; his tongue
injures and destroys.
8
He waits in ambush near the villages; in hidden places he kills the
innocent.His eyes look for some unfortunate victim.
9
He lies in ambush in a hidden place, like a lion in a thicket; he lies in
ambush, waiting to catch the oppressed; he catches the oppressed by pulling
in his net.
10
His victims are crushed and beaten down; they are trapped in his sturdy
nets.
11
He says to himself, “God overlooks it; he does not pay attention; he never
notices.”
12
Rise up, Lord! O God, strike him down! Do not forget the oppressed!
13
Why does the wicked man reject God? He says to himself, “You will not hold
me accountable.”
14
You have taken notice, for you always see one who inflicts pain and
suffering. The unfortunate victim entrusts his cause to you; you deliver
the fatherless.
15
Break the arm of the wicked and evil man!Hold him accountable for his
wicked deeds, which he thought you would not discover.
16
The Lord rules forever! The nations are driven out of his land.
17
Lord, you have heard the request of the oppressed; you make them feel
secure because you listen to their prayer.
18
You defend the fatherless and oppressed, so that mere mortals may no
longer terrorize them.

One thought:

We always want God to act straight away when we see wrongdoing – thankfully, He was patient with us!

 

 

Three questions:

 

How do you think the Psalmist felt about God’s apparent inaction?

 

How should we feel about God’s patience?

 

How should we respond when God seems inactive? *Hint – prayer

Prayer:

Acknowledge God’s as the sovereign Lord, who rules according to His own will rather than ours.

Give thanks that God has been patient with sinners.

Ask God to help you trust in His will.

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