Psalms 10:8. His eyes are privily set against the poor— {Are watching / Lay wait} for the poor. It may be proper to observe, once for all, that the word poor in the Psalms is not applied to those only who are distressed in their outward circumstances, but also to the poor in spirit; to the humble and afflicted. read more
7-10. The malignity and deceit (Psalms 140:3) of such are followed by acts combining cunning, fraud, and violence (compare Proverbs 1:11; Proverbs 1:18), aptly illustrated by the habits of the lion, and of hunters taking their prey. "Poor," in Psalms 10:8; Psalms 10:10; Psalms 10:14, represents a word peculiar to this Psalm, meaning the sad or sorrowful; in Psalms 10:9, as usual, it means the pious or meek sufferer. read more
8. eyes . . . privily—He watches with half-closed eyes, appearing not to see. read more
1. Description of the wicked 10:1-11The emphasis in this part of the psalm is the problem of theodicy, the justice of God in the face of the prosperity of wicked Israelites. Like the Book of Job, the psalm does not resolve the problem but refocuses on God (Psalms 10:14). read more
Psalms 10This psalm is a prayer for immediate help in affliction. It contains a powerful description of the wicked who oppose God and attack His people. The focus of the previous psalm was on the judgment to come, but in this one it is on the present."The problem in Psalms 9 is the enemy invading from without, while the problem in Psalms 10 is the enemy corrupting and destroying from within." [Note: Wiersbe, The . . . Wisdom . . ., p. 106.] read more
David pictured the wicked who oppress the righteous in graphic terms in this section of verses. They are proud, boastful, greedy, blasphemous, arrogant, haughty, self-sufficient, prosperous, careless about God, belligerent, self-confident, complacent, abusive, deceitful, oppressive, destructive, mischievous, and wicked. They opposed both God and His people with their speech, as well as in their actions. read more
Using the figures of a predatory animal, like a lion, and a hunter, like a fisherman, David described how the wicked cunningly pursue and ensnare the righteous in their traps. The fact that God does not punish them more quickly encourages them to continue their destructive work. read more
This Ps. has no title. Its relationship to Psalms 9 has been discussed in intro. to that Ps. It reflects a time of great social disorder, in which wickedness and violence are rampant, and the righteous are sorely oppressed. It falls roughly into two parts. The wrongs which call for redress are described (Psalms 10:1-11) and God’s interposition is invoked (Psalms 10:12-18).1. God seems to be ignorant of what is taking place, or indifferent to it. The Psalmist, however, does not really believe... read more
(7) Cursing and deceit.—From the connection of cursing with deceit (comp. Hosea 4:2, “swearing and lying “), we must understand perjury. read more
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 10:7
"His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression:Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.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 helpless.""Mouth is full of cursing." What a paradox it is that the wicked who claim (in their hearts at least) not to believe in God should have God's precious name upon their evil lips continually, not in truth or righteousness, but in shame and dishonor! The... read more