He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den ; or, he lurks in the covert as a lion in his lair (Kay)—a very striking image! He lieth in wait (or, lurks ) to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net; rather, by drawing him into his net. The mode of capture is intended. read more
He croucheth, and humbleth himself ; rather, crushed, he sinks down. The subject is changed, and the poor man's condition spoken of. That the poor may fall by his strong ones; rather, and the helpless (comp. Psalms 10:8 )fall by his strong ones. The "strong ones" are the ruffians whom the wicked man employs to effect his purposes. read more
He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten (comp. Psalms 10:4 , Psalms 10:13 ). "The wish is father to the thought." As Delitzsch says, "The true personal God would disturb his plans, so he denies him. ' There is naught,' he says, 'but destiny, and that is blind; an absolute, and that has no eyes; an idea, and that has no grasp.'" He hideth his face. He looks away; he does not wish to be troubled or disturbed by what occurs on earth. So the Epicureans in later times. He win never see... read more
Arise, O Lord (comp. Psalms 9:19 ). At this point the psalmist passes from description to invocation. From Psalms 10:2 to the end of Psalms 10:11 he has described the conduct, the temper, and the very inmost thoughts of the wicked. Now he addresses himself to God—he summons God to arise to vengeance. As Hengetenberg says, "Here the second part begins—prayer, springing out of the lamentation which has preceded;" prayer and invocation, beginning here, and terminating at the close of ... read more
Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? God's long-suffering does but make the wicked despise him. Wherefore is this allowed to continue (comp. Psalms 10:1 )? He hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it; rather, as in the Prayer-beck Version, while he cloth say in his heart (see Psalms 10:6 , Psalms 10:11 ). read more
The protest of faith against sin. "Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God?" etc. This psalm is one of those which utter with burning fervour the protest of faith against unbelief, of righteousness against iniquity, of loyalty to God against rebellion. To understand these utterances, we must try to see sin as it is in itself, apart from the gracious light of forgiving mercy which the gospel sheds—as they saw it who had to live the life of faith when no cross had been set up, no sacrifice... read more
Thou hast seen it . The most emphatic contradiction that was possible to the wicked man's "He will never see it" ( Psalms 10:11 ). God sees, notes, bears in mind, and never forgets, every act of wrong-doing that men commit, and especially acts of oppression . For thou beholdest mischief and spite ; or, perhaps, mischief and grief (see Job 6:2 ); i.e. the "mischief" of the oppressors, and the "grief' of the oppressed. (so Hengstenberg, Cheyne, and the' Speaker's Commentary'). Others... read more
Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man ; i.e. "break thou his strength; take away his ability to work evil to others." Seek out his wickedness till thou find none ; rather, require his wickedness. The verb is the same as that used in the last clause of Psalms 10:13 . The wicked man had said in his heart, "Thou wilt not require;" the psalmist calls on God, not only to require, but to require to the uttermost. Seek out, be says, require, and bring to judgment, all his... read more
The Lord is King for ever and ever (comp. Psalms 29:10 ; Psalms 146:10 ). Thus God's kingdom is established, his authority vindicated, his absolute rule over all men made manifest. Internal and external foes are alike overcome. The heathen—whether uncircumcised in the flesh or in the heart ( Jeremiah 9:25 , Jeremiah 9:26 )—are perished out of his (Jehovah's) land. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 10:8
He sitteth in the lurking-places of the villages . These "lurking-places" must not be supposed to have been inside the villages, but outside of them They were retired spots at no great distance, where brigands or others might lie in ambush, ready to seize on such of the villagers as might show themselves. In the secret places doth he murder the innocent (comp. Job 24:14 ). The usual object would be, not murder, but robbery. Still, there would be cases where it would be convenient to remove... read more