Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
Psalm 10:1 belongs to the first book of the Psalms and to the opening group of Psalms 1 to 11. It voices the sorrows and afflictions of the Hebrew captives in Babylon, having been written by Asaph, Ethan and others during the latter portion of the Babylonian captivity, during the reign of Belshazzar when the persecution and distress of the Jews were greatest. It is also regarded as David's complaint.
Like many of the Psalms, it begins with an expression of a sense of great need and moves toward triumph and confidence in God. It shows the righteous asking why the Lord stands afar off and hides Himself in times of trouble, giving voice to the feeling that God is distant or hidden when trouble keeps coming, with the fear that He has forgotten and does not care to hear prayer. The question is the cry of the righteous over the wicked in pride persecuting the poor, over the fatherless, the cripples, the widows, the homeless, and over the servants of God persecuted and blamed for evil.
It is part of an inspired prayer expressing God's will toward mankind, asking God to execute justice for the sake of the poor and the oppressed and not merely seeking vengeance upon the wicked. Though it looks as if God keeps silent and stands afar, the psalm is mingled with exhortation, encouragement, and assurance of divine help and final deliverance from persecutors, for God sees it all and has not forgotten His people, and a day of retribution is coming when every man shall receive his just reward. It gives light upon present conditions and disproves the belief that the world is growing better, for oppression is seen on every side and only a remnant will be saved when Christ comes.
It is precious and meets human experience, giving help to the soul in discouragement, strength in time of trial, and solid comfort in time of grief, and pointing to a God who is able and willing and anxious to save. As one of the wonderful songs of human experience it ought to enter God's children's own experience as they meet daily tasks and trials, and it is among the psalms especially good to memorize.
Psalm 10:1 belongs to the first book of the Psalms and to the opening group of Psalms 1 to 11. It voices the sorrows and afflictions of the Hebrew captives in Babylon, having been written by Asaph, Ethan and others during the latter portion of the Babylonian captivity, during the reign of Belshazzar when the persecution and distress of the Jews were greatest. It is also regarded as David's complaint.
Like many of the Psalms, it begins with an expression of a sense of great need and moves toward triumph and confidence in God. It shows the righteous asking why the Lord stands afar off and hides Himself in times of trouble, giving voice to the feeling that God is distant or hidden when trouble keeps coming, with the fear that He has forgotten and does not care to hear prayer. The question is the cry of the righteous over the wicked in pride persecuting the poor, over the fatherless, the cripples, the widows, the homeless, and over the servants of God persecuted and blamed for evil.
It is part of an inspired prayer expressing God's will toward mankind, asking God to execute justice for the sake of the poor and the oppressed and not merely seeking vengeance upon the wicked. Though it looks as if God keeps silent and stands afar, the psalm is mingled with exhortation, encouragement, and assurance of divine help and final deliverance from persecutors, for God sees it all and has not forgotten His people, and a day of retribution is coming when every man shall receive his just reward. It gives light upon present conditions and disproves the belief that the world is growing better, for oppression is seen on every side and only a remnant will be saved when Christ comes.
It is precious and meets human experience, giving help to the soul in discouragement, strength in time of trial, and solid comfort in time of grief, and pointing to a God who is able and willing and anxious to save. As one of the wonderful songs of human experience it ought to enter God's children's own experience as they meet daily tasks and trials, and it is among the psalms especially good to memorize.