PSALM 10

Psalm 10

Since the psalm doesn’t have a superscription, it is possible that originally psalm 9 and 10 were comprising one unit.

The psalm begins from a “provocative” question “why?”

(1) why do you stand away;

(2) why do you hide.

Answer to these two questions is three-fold. First, there is a description of arrogance. Then psalmist calls upon the LORD to arise, with a conclusion that the LORD will rule forever, as THE King of the whole world.   

The answer begins with the description of the arrogant in the world – even the pious mind questions the presence of God in the world seeing them. It looks like evil dominates, vv. 2-11. This account of wickedness has a parallel in Psalm 73. After many lines of complete corruption, the list ends with “He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.” The wicked believes in God, but God who doesn’t remember, who turned a blind eye, or he is just blind…

But in reality, the LORD is alive, He doesn’t stand away! The name of the LORD means Living One. And psalmist claims “Arise o LORD,” (vv. 12-15)

The LORD is the One who sees… notices mischief and vexation…

He is the One who supports the helpless

He is the One who helps the fatherless

He is the One who judges the wickedness and evildoings.  

And He doesn’t hide, because He is the KING forever (vv. 16-18). The nations are perishing when they attack the land. The reason is the He HEARS – He listens to our prayers and strengthens the hearts of the faithful.  

 

Psalm 36: Steadfast Love of God

Psalm 36: steadfast love of God

a. v. 1-4, Wicked

  b. v. 5-7, Steadfast love and righteousness

    c. v. 8, River (of God)

    c’. v.9, Fountain of life

  b’. v. 10, steadfast love and righteousness

a’. v.11-12, arrogance and evildoers

 

A. Look at a relatively long description of a wicked guy:

v. 1: [wickedness is] deep in his heart – weeds were not pulled at right time

No fear of God before his eyes. Eyes are “dangerous” in the Bible – see Genesis 3:6, everything begins with seeing the fruit. Also, the fear of God is a healthy respect and awe;

v. 2: He flatters himself – as a result he doesn’t even see where he misses;

v. 3: The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit;

No wise actions and no good conduct;

v. 4: He plots trouble – he plans ahead the evil things.    

B. Four elements of God’s involvements (vv. 5- 6): 

Steadfast love – heavens

Faithfulness – clouds

Righteousness – mountains

Judgements – great deep 

vv. 7. All the aspects of different elements of creation – examples of transcendence

At the same time, there are illustrations of His immanence:

Children of mankind – refuge in the shadow of your wings

C. v. 8, abundant feast in His house + river. See Revelation 21 – New Jerusalem as the Temple and the River flows through

C’. v. 9, the fountain of life – the source of light, in a desert environment “a well” which is dug is a source of life in a very literal sense. 

His light provides us with light – Psalm 119:105. So, the psalmist is not only alive but understand the direction of his way by the light of God, the light of Christ (John 8:12).

B’. v. 10-11, a plea that the steadfast love will protect from the temptation. The Temptations are going to come, and we ask that He keep us protected from the impact of the evil one (Matthew 6:13 – leads to Romans 12:21).

A’. v. 12, the ultimate fate of the evildoers is to fall, unable to rise (see Psalms 1:6 and 146:9).