Originally Psalms 9 and 10 were one psalm. Psalm 10 has no superscription, which is unusual in Book I of the Psalter. Together these psalms form an acrostic, that is, an alphabetical psalm, and Psalm 10 picks up right where Psalm 9 leaves off (Ps. 9 closes with Hb. k, and Ps. 10 opens with Hb. l, the Hebrew letters kāp and lāmed respectively). As noted below, the psalms contain numerous linguistic and thematic links. The LXX, in fact, preserves them as one psalm. But what a contrast these psalms form! Psalm 10 is a lament and appears to contradict the praises of Psalm 9 almost point by point. In Psalm 9, the conflict is largely past and was staged between the speaker (I) and the “wicked nations” (implying international battles). In Psalm 10, the conflict is very present and is staged betwe…