THE POET’S PRAYER • PSALM 10
When Evil Seems to Prosper
By Minister Denise N. Fyffe
Psalm 10 gives words to one of the most difficult questions believers face: what do we do when wickedness appears bold, successful and unrestrained?
The psalmist does not pretend that injustice is easy to watch. He brings his frustration directly to God. That honesty is part of prayer too.
Read Psalm 10
King James Version (KJV) — full chapter
1. Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
2. The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
3. For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
4. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
5. His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
6. He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
7. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
8. He 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.
9. He 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.
10. He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
11. He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
12. Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
13. Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.
14. 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.
15. Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
16. The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.
17. LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
18. To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
Bring the Injustice Before God
“Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Your hand!” — Psalm 10:12 (NKJV)
There are times when our prayer is simply a cry for God to intervene. We may not have the authority to correct every wrong ourselves, but we can place the matter before the righteous Judge.
Psalm 10 reminds us that God sees what people try to hide. He sees oppression, pride, manipulation and the pain of those who feel forgotten.
God Has Not Forgotten the Humble
When evil seems loud, it can create the impression that God is silent. The psalm corrects that impression. The Lord hears the desire of the humble and strengthens their hearts.
That is where our confidence rests. Not in the apparent strength of wicked people, but in the character of God.
A Prayer from Psalm 10
Lord, You see every hidden thing. You know where people are being mistreated, exploited or crushed. Arise on behalf of those who have no power to defend themselves. Strengthen the heart of the humble and remind us that You have not forgotten us.
Keep me from becoming bitter while I wait for justice. Keep me from copying the ways of those who prosper through wrongdoing. Let my confidence remain in You.
Be encouraged.
The Poet’s Prayer
Christian prayers, praises and poetic reflections for your walk with God.
