Bible Commentaries
Psalms 10

Verses 1-18

Psalms 10:1 . Why standest thou afar off, oh Lord? This is the prayer of David against some very wicked and neighbouring prince, who through pride and thirst for gold, was lurking like a lion, and murdering the poor. In religion he was an atheist: he said in his heart, I shall not be moved. God hath forgotten, he hideth his face; he will never call me to account for the effusion of blood. Therefore, through the pride of his countenance, he will not seek after God. In war, he was a coward, he crouched in secret places, that the poor might fall by his strong ones, the captains of his bands. In public, as in private life, he was a prince without faith, full of fraud and deceit. If any one complained of injustice, he was requited with cursing and blasphemy. What could David do but cry for help against those restless Cains that murder the earth. “Arise, oh Lord, that the man of the earth may no more oppress” the peaceful poor.

But it is not one wicked and restless tyrant only, of whom David complains; it is thousands of rich and infidel characters, who launch the reins to passion, and scorn the restraints of equity, the bonds of marriage, and the duties they owe to God. Through the pride of their countenance they despise confession, and fill up their measure, till God in anger sends them strong delusion, or the efficacy of error, that they may be damned.