Need for God’s Justice
1 Lord, 10:1 Some Hb mss, LXX connect Pss 9–10., 10:1 Together Pss 9–10 form a partial acrostic. why do you stand so far away? 10:1 Ps 22:1; 35:22; 38:21; 71:12
Why do you hide in times of trouble? 10:1 Jb 13:24; Ps 44:24; 88:14
2 In arrogance the wicked relentlessly pursue their victims;
let them be caught in the schemes they have devised. 10:2 Ps 7:15–16
3 For the wicked one boasts about his own cravings; 10:3 Ps 49:6
the one who is greedy curses 10:3 Or he blesses the greedy and despises the Lord. 10:3 2Pt 2:3
4 In all his scheming,
the wicked person arrogantly thinks, 10:4 Lit wicked according to the height of his nose
"There’s no accountability,
since there’s no God." 10:4 Ps 14:1; 53:1
5 His ways are always secure; 10:5 Or prosperous
your lofty judgments have no effect on him; 10:5 Lit judgments are away from in front of him
he scoffs at all his adversaries. 10:5 Ps 52:7
6 He says to himself, "I will never be moved —
from generation to generation I will be without calamity." 10:6 Ps 49:11; 2Pt 3:4; Rv 18:7
7 Cursing, deceit, and violence fill his mouth;
trouble and malice are under his tongue. 10:7 Ps 73:8; 140:3; Rm 3:13–14
8 He waits in ambush near settlements; 10:8 Ps 59:3
he kills the innocent in secret places.
His eyes are on the lookout for the helpless; 10:8 Ps 64:4; 94:6
9 he lurks in secret like a lion in a thicket.
He lurks in order to seize a victim;
he seizes a victim and drags him in his net.
10 So he is oppressed and beaten down;
helpless people fall because of the wicked one’s strength. 10:8–10 Ps 17:11–12; Pr 28:15
11 He says to himself, "God has forgotten;
he hides his face and will never see." 10:11 Jb 22:13; Ps 59:3
12 Rise up, Lord God! Lift up your hand. 10:12 Mc 5:9
Do not forget the oppressed. 10:12 Ps 9:12
13 Why has the wicked person despised God?
He says to himself, "You will not demand an account." 10:13 Ps 73:11
14 But you yourself have seen trouble and grief,
observing it in order to take the matter into your hands. 10:14 Ps 33:13–15
The helpless one entrusts himself to you;
you are a helper of the fatherless. 10:14 Ps 68:5; 146:9
15 Break the arm of the wicked, evil person, 10:15 Ps 37:17
until you look for his wickedness,
but it can’t be found. 10:15 Ps 89:32
16 The Lord is King forever and ever; 10:16 Ex 15:18; Ps 29:10; Rv 11:15
the nations will perish from his land. 10:16 Dt 8:20
17 Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble;
you will strengthen their hearts.
You will listen carefully, 10:17 2Ch 7:14; Ps 34:15
18 doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed
so that mere humans from the earth may terrify them no more. 10:18 Ex 22:22–24; Dt 10:18