Delivering the Helpless from Social Oppression: Part II
Psalm 10:1-18
Understanding Series
by Craig C. Broyles

For an introduction to Psalm 10 see the introductory comments on Psalm 9.

10:1–11 At this point the psalm makes a sudden turn to lament: Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? So dramatic is the shift we might think this was a separate psalm, except that it contains so many echoes from Psalm 9 (where the Hb. text uses the same word I have modified the NIV’s translation accordingly):

Psalm 9 /Psalm 10

The LORD is . . . a stronghold in times of trouble (9:9) / Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble (10:1)?

He does not forget the cry of the afflicted (9:12) / He says to himself, “God has forgotten” (10:11)

Their feet are caught in the net they have hidden (9:15) / He catches the helpless and drags them off in his net (10:9)

(Contrast also 9:16 and 10:2; 9:9–10 and 10:8; 9:5 and 10:5.) Fa…

Baker Publishing Group, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series, by Craig C. Broyles