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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 10:1-11

I. A very great affection to God and his favour; for, in the time of trouble, that which he complains of most feelingly is God's withdrawing his gracious presence (Ps. 10:1): ?Why standest thou afar off, as one unconcerned in the indignities done to thy name and the injuries done to the people?? Note, God's withdrawings are very grievous to his people at any time, but especially in times of trouble. Outward deliverance is afar off and is hidden from us, and then we think God is afar off and we... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 10:1

Why standest thou afar off, O Lord ?.... This psalm begins with a complaint which proceeds on two general heads; the one is with respect to God, his distance from his people, and desertion of them in times of trouble, in this verse; and the other is with respect to the wicked in some following ones. God by his infinite essence and power is everywhere, and is never far off from any of his creatures; and though his glorious presence is in heaven, which, with respect to us on earth, is a land... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 10:2

The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor ,.... The "poor" is the good and gracious man, who is commonly poor in this world's things, and is sensibly poor in spirit, or sensible of his spiritual poverty; or he is so called because "afflicted", as the word signifies; and he is afflicted because he is poor: these two characters generally go together. The "wicked" man is the wicked one, the lawless one, the man of sin, and son of perdition, antichrist, the great persecutor of Christ's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 10:3

For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire ,.... As antichrist does of his universal power over all bishops and princes, which his heart was long desiring after; of his being Christ's vicar, Peter's successor, and head of the church; and of having power in heaven, earth, and hell: he boasts of his wealth and riches, of the righteousness and merits of saints, of works of supererogation, a stock of which he pretends to have in his hands to dispense to others: he boasts of his own holiness... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 10:1

Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? - This Psalm makes a part of the preceding in the Vulgate and Septuagint; and in four of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS. It seems to belong to the time of the captivity, or the return of the captives. It was probably made in reference to Sanballat, and the other enemies or the Jews. There is a great similarity between this and Psalm 13:1-6 , Psalm 14:1-7 , 35, and Psalm 53:1-6 ; : In these, as Calmet remarks, we find the same complaints, the same... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 10:2

The wicked in his pride - On no principle of nature or reason can we account for a wicked man persecuting a humble follower of God because of his religion. The devil hates godliness; and the wicked man hates it also because the devil is in his heart. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 10:3

Boasteth of his heart's desire - Boasts among his fellows how often he has gratified such and such passions, in such and such circumstances. This shows the excess of a depraved and imbruted spirit. He who can boast of his iniquity, is in the broad road to perdition. Should such a one repent and turn to God, it would be equal to any miracle. Blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth - Or, he blesseth the covetous, he abhorreth the Lord. Those who are like himself he commends, and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 10:1

Verse 1 1.Lord, why standest thou afar off? We here see how the prophet, seeking a remedy for his calamities, which were apparently past hope, directly addresses himself to God at the very commencement. And the rule which we should observe, when we are in trouble and sorrow, is this: We should seek comfort and solace in the providence of God; for amidst our agitations, vexations, and cares, we ought to be fully persuaded that it is his peculiar office to give relief to the wretched and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 10:2

Verse 2 2.The ungodly in his pride, etc Before uttering his prayer against the ungodly, the Psalmist briefly sets forth their wickedness in cruelly vexing the afflicted, for no other reason but because they disdain and despise them, through the pride with which they are inflated. And their cruelty is not a little enhanced from this, that, forgetful of all humanity, they contemptuously triumph over the poor and afflicted, mocking them and inflicting injuries upon them. (193) Cruelty is, indeed,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 10:3

Verse 3 3.For the ungodly praiseth himself. This verse is variously explained. Literally the reading is, For praiseth the wicked or ungodly; and it is therefore necessary to supply some word, but what word is disputed. (196) Some translate the words, ungodly and violent man, in the accusative case, thus: He praiseth the ungodly, and blesseth the violent man; because they think it strange that after “praiseth” the sentence should end abruptly, without any thing being said of who or what was... read more

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