Psalms 10:14
Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless. Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.
The verse belongs to the first book of the Psalms, Psalms 1 to 41, and within that to Psalms 1 to 11. It belongs to a group describing the sorrows and afflictions of the Hebrew captives in the Babylonian captivity, especially under Belshazzar. Like many psalms, it moves from a sense of great need to triumph and confidence in God, and it is precious for meeting every phase of human experience by helping in discouragement, strengthening in trial, giving comfort in grief, and warning of the dangers of sin and transgression.
The verse is part of an inspired prayer expressing God's will toward mankind, asking God to execute justice for the sake of the poor and oppressed rather than merely seeking vengeance on the wicked. It declares that God sees mischief, spite, and oppression, including the trouble suffered by the poor and the wrongdoing against them, and that he beholds it to repay it with his hand. In its Babylonian setting, it points to divine help and the final deliverance of the captives from their persecutors. God's seeing means he has not forgotten and does not hide his face forever, contrary to the belief that the world is growing better.
He sees the suffering of the poor, the fatherless, widows, cripples, and the homeless to requite evil in a coming day of retribution when every person shall receive a just reward, with only a remnant saved when Christ comes. The verse points to a God who is able and willing and anxious to save, who is the helper of the fatherless and of his persecuted servants and does not fail those who leave themselves in his hand. Helper of the fatherless means helper of the destitute one who has no one to go to but God, and the poor and humble can commit and entrust themselves to him.
The verse teaches holy trust in times of great distress by leaving life, liberty, estate, and comforts in God's hand, with the promise that the heart will then be at rest and fixed and kept from terror of sad tidings even when sad tidings are heard. It is among the promises that encourage the poor by assuring them of God's sight, repayment, and help.