Psalm 10: Why do You hide Yourself? Praying through the Psalms

 

Psalm 10: Why Do You Hide Yourself?

There are times in life when we feel alone, as if we carry the weight of the world and oppression on our shoulders, with no end in sight. From our limited view, it seems there is no one to help us in our struggles and difficulties in this life. We may even feel as if God is too far away, or that He has forgotten us. In verse 1 of Psalm 10, it would seem as if the writer felt this way; however, if we read the entire Psalm, we can see that he isn’t complaining. The writer is asking God to hasten to his aid.

There’s an expression I’ve come to love: Pray hardest when it’s hardest to pray. When we struggle the most, when we feel alone or oppressed, we need to continue turning to our gracious God. We need to tell Him all our hurts, struggles, and feelings, and ask Him to give us a right heart and to give us wisdom, comfort, and strength. Who do you turn to in times of need? If you have a strong relationship with God, then you will bring everything before Him in prayer because “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

Sometimes in life it seems as if the wicked prosper. Like the Psalmist, we may wonder why God allows the wicked to become wealthy when they despise Him. They boast and scheme and oppress the poor and needy, yet they amass riches and wealth. The question we must ask ourselves is why we are angry or jealous of them. The wealth and riches they store up in this life are temporary. They do not signify God’s approval. We must not obsess over temporary riches, but “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:10).

Blind arrogance, pride, and self-reliance set them apart from God. But God sees everything. Sinful pride has no place in a Christian's heart, because all good comes from God. God is just, and He will punish every wicked deed, mischief, deceit, and oppression.

When our hearts and minds deceive us into feeling alone, remember this: “The LORD is king forever and ever” (Psalm 10:16). He hears the desires of the afflicted; He will strengthen your heart and incline His ear to your cries (Psalm 10:17). He will bring “justice to the fatherless and the oppressed” (Psalm 10:18). “For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off” (Psalm 37:28).

So, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). For, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

 

Praying through the Psalms:

O LORD, my God,

I come before You in humble adoration because You are a righteous and just God. Although at times, it seems the wicked prosper, I thank and praise You for being a just judge and the Helper to the helpless. In my limited and sinful view, it feels as though I am alone; I see how the ungodly treat the poor and needy, and how they trample on others in their pursuit of wealth, status, and riches. Gracious Father, my LORD and my King, I ask that You fill me with the Holy Spirit and free me from the love of worldly wealth. Open my eyes to see Your goodness, and grant me patience, comfort, and wisdom, for Your timing is always perfect. I know You will judge the wicked and strengthen the hearts of Your afflicted children. Hear my cries, O LORD, I pray. Fill my mind with love for You, and the desire to serve You completely and only. When and where I fall short of Your will and expectations, forgive me through the blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Though I am not worthy of Your grace and mercy, I thank You for Your righteousness, just judgments, and the gift of salvation in and through Your Son. All this I ask, in His name alone. Amen.

 

Psalm 10: Why Do You Hide Yourself?

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^[a] and renounces the Lord.
⁴ In the pride of his face^[b] the wicked does not seek him;^[c]
    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.