Friends we are ten weeks into studying the Psalms. Each week I have learned something different in each Psalm. I have read these Psalms so many times but it is so refreshing to slow down and dissect each verse to really understand the heart of the Psalmist and to understand the heart of God. I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am. Today we turn to the tenth Psalm. If you have not done so, please take the time to read through the entire chapter and then join me in this study. It is so important for you to read the Word first. Pray and ask Holy Spirit to unlock these spiritual truths to you so you can hear and understand what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
The Bible does not state who wrote this Psalm. I am not sure if it was David, Moses, or someone else. What I do know is that this Psalm could describe the world today in 2022. It begins with a question to God. "Why standest Thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble?" Does that sound familiar? Oh, we may say it differently now in our modern language. We may say something like, "Where are you God?" or "Where was God when these bad things happened?" We may even speak harshly to God, "Why did you let this evil thing happen?" When times get tough and things seem to go wrong, we want to know where God is. Jesus asked something similar. Do you remember? He was hanging on the cross to pay for your sins and my sins, not His sins. He felt the separation from God. Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?
Why would the Psalmist want to know where God is? Why would they feel the separation from God? The Psalmist wants to know why God feels so distant. Sometimes we face hardships in life and we say things like, "I just can't feel God's presence like I used to." "I do not hear as clearly as I once did." We mistake the feeling of separation for God's abandonment but we know that He will not do that. Jesus gave us the Great Commission in Matthew and He made us an incredible promise. Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The motive behind verses 2-11 is oppression. The wicked is prideful and they persecute the poor. The wicked boast of all the things they will accomplish. The wicked bless those who covet. The wicked do not think about God or even consider what God would want. The wicked cause grief to others. The wicked think they are invincible and unshakable. They do not think bad things will ever happen to them. Look at verse 7: His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under is tongue is mischief and vanity. The Psalmist goes on to say the wicked lurks in villages and in secret places murders the innocent, and secretly sets his gaze on the poor. The wicked is like a lion waiting to catch their prey; the wicked preys on the innocent and the poor. The wicked strong-arm the poor and then after all that will think to himself, "God hath forgotten: He hideth His face; He will never see it." They think they are getting away with the evil doings but they will not. God is always watching.
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He pondereth all his goings.
Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
The rest of the Psalm is directed to God. Verse 11 reads, "Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up Thine hand: forget not the humble." Here we see the request for God to raise His hand of authority against the wicked and as a shield for the humble and meek. I just love how verse 14 says, "Thou 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." That is so good. Abba Father is our Daddy God. He is helping us, the orphans and widows, and the poor. He is speaking up for the oppressed and shielding them from the wicked ways of the world. In verse 15, the Psalmist tells God just how he wants God to handle the wicked ones. And the final verse is one of triumph and deliverance. "The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land." Our God is King and He rules and reigns for ever and ever and without end. He will bring to nothing all the plans and wicked schemes of the enemy.
If you are struggling with situations that you feel are out of your control, or you feel oppressed and trapped by the enemy, do not despair. God is right there with you. He is not far off. He is not somewhere in the distance. He is right beside you and He will never leave you. He is going with you through the whole journey. Do not worry about the ways the wicked seem to prosper. Focus your eyes on King Jesus and let Him lead you to the Promised Land. He will lead you by still waters, take you into the lush green meadows, and will feed and sustain you in the presence of your enemies. He will help you and comfort you and protect you and fight for you! Be strong and courageous. Do not give up!
I hope today's Bible study has been an encouragement to you. It sure had strengthened me. I have a hard task in front of me today but I am reminded that God is with me and is helping me and going before me. I have nothing to fear or dread. I hope this has been strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!
~Bridgett Owens
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