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The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

Psalms 10:1-18

Psalm PSALM—NOTE ON Psalms 10:1. See note on Psalm 9. Psalms 10:1 is a lament, relating to cases in which “the wicked hotly pursue the poor” (v. Psalms 10:2). These wicked could be faithless, wealthy Israelites (vv. Psalms 10:4, Psalms 10:13), and the poor are Israelites who are faithful but are also defenseless against the wicked. It was the task of the Davidic king to ensure justice, by force if necessary. It was the task of the general public to pray, perhaps by reciting a psalm like this.

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See also Psalms 10:1-18 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    PSALM X _The psalmist complains to God of the oppressions which the poor_ _suffer from the wicked man, whom he describes as the hater of_ _the poor_, 1, 2; _proud_, 3; _one who will not seek God_...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    WHY STANDEST THOU AFAR OFF, O LORD? - That is, What is the reason why thou doest this? The thought upon which this is based is that God might be expected to interpose in a time of trouble, and that Hi...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    Psalms 10 _ 1. The cry of Jehovah and what causeth it (Psalms 10:1)_ 2. That wicked one (Psalms 10:3) 3. Prayer for divine Intervention: Faith's Vision ...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    9 AND 10. YAHWEH THE REFUGE OF HIS PEOPLE. These two Pss., divided in MT, were originally one, This is proved by the fact that they are one in LXX. and Vulg., by the absence of title over Psalms 10, a...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    WHY... ? Figure of speech _Erotesis_. App-6. TIMES OF TROUBLE. the great time of tribulation. Compare Psalms 9:9....

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    _The Psalmist complaineth to God of the outrage of the wicked: he prayeth for remedy: he professeth his confidence._ _PSALMS 10:1. WHY STANDEST THOU,_ &C.— Neither the author nor the particular occasi...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    PSALMS 9:10 DESCRIPTIVE TITLE The Kingship of Jehovah in Zion Finally Triumphant over a League between the Nations and the Lawless One. ANALYSIS These two psalms are bound together as originally on...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _WHY STANDEST THOU AFAR OFF, O LORD? WHY HIDEST THOU THYSELF IN TIMES OF TROUBLE?_ This Psalm differs from those which precede and follow, in having no superscription. The design of the author was tha...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    God seems to be ignorant of what is taking place, or indifferent to it. The Psalmist, however, does not really believe this, or he would not appeal to God at all. 2B. RM 'They (the poor) are taken in...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    This Ps. has no title. Its relationship to Psalms 9 has been discussed in intro. to that Ps. It reflects a time of great social disorder, in which wickedness and violence are rampant, and the righteou...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    Psalms 1:41 _GORDON CHURCHYARD_ Words in boxes are from the Bible. The notes explain some of the words with a *star by them. Tap the * before a word to show an explanation. The translated Bible tex...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    לָמָ֣ה יְ֭הוָה תַּעֲמֹ֣ד בְּ רָחֹ֑וק תַּ֝עְלִ֗ים...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    Psalms 10:1 Psalms 9:1; Psalms 10:1 are alike in their imperfectly acrostic structure, the occurrence of certain phrases- _ e.g._, the very uncommon expression for "times of trouble,...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    GOD WILL NOT FORGET THE LOWLY Psalms 10:1 The malice of our foes, and especially of Satan, is powerfully described, Psalms 10:1. Now it is the venom beneath the serpent's tongue, Psalms 10:7; now the...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    In the Septuagint and other versions, probably the ancient Hebrew, Psalms 9:1; Psa 10:1-18 appear as one. There is a clear connection between them, but it is that of contrast. In the former the singer...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? [why] hidest thou [thyself] in (a) times of trouble? (a) As soon as we enter into affliction, we think God should help us, but that is not always his due time....

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    Hebrew Lamnatseach lidavid, (Haydock) "to the master of music or, or to David." (Calmet) --- St. Jerome supplies the word psalm. That David, or any other, should give the title of master of music to s...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    CONTENTS The Psalmist is still before the mercy seat at his devotions, The subject is that general one, of the oppression of the wicked, and their triumphs. Deliverance is humbly sought for, and due...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    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...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS PSALMS 9 AND 10. In Psalms 9 and 10 we enter historically on the circumstances of the remnant in the last days in the land. The great principles having been laid down ...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    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 t...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? [why] hidest thou [thyself] in times of trouble? Ver. 1. _Why standest thou afar off, O Lord?_] As if thou hadst forgotten what thou hadst promised thy people in t...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Why standest thou afar off_ As one unconcerned in the indignities offered to thy name, and the injuries done to thy people? _Why hidest thou thyself_ Withdrawest thy presence and aid, and the light o...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    PRAYER AGAINST THE ENEMY OF THE CHURCH. Luther writes in his summary of this psalm: "This is a psalm of prayer which complains about the arch-enemy of the kingdom of Christ, that is, Antichrist, who...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Why standest Thou afar off, O Lord? apparently indifferent to the oppression of His people. WHY HIDEST THOU THYSELF IN TIMES OF TROUBLE? both His eyes and His ears being covered, so that He seems to b...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-11 God's withdrawings are very grievous to his people, especially in times of trouble. We stand afar off from God by our unbelief, and then complain that God stands afar off from us. Passionate wor...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    PSALM 10 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm contains David's complaint unto God against his malicious enemies, especially those of his own people, whose wicked and deceitful practices he here describes, and then...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Psalms 10:1 stand H5975 (H8799) off H7350 LORD H3068 hide H5956 (H8686) times H6256 trouble H6869 stand

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘Why do you stand far off, O YHWH? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? As a result of the arrogance of the unrighteous the poor is hotly pursued; They are taken (or ‘Let them be taken') i...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: The psalmist meditates on the wicked and desires to see them humbled under God's hand. CHARACTERS: Psalmist, God. CONCLUSION: The Christian cannot but lay to heart that which is offensive...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Psalms 10:1. _Why standest thou afar off, oh Lord?_ This is the prayer of David against some very wicked and neighbouring prince, who through pride and thirst for gold, was lurking like a lion, and mu...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Why standest Thou afar off, O Lord?_ A THEOLOGICAL DIFFICULTY, A HAUGHTY IMPIETY, AN EARNEST PRAYER I. A theological difficulty. “Why standest Thou afar off, O Lord?” Some great enormity was now un...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    INTRODUCTION “This psalm 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 of the Jews. There is a gre...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION This psalm is to some extent connected with the preceding one, but not very closely. It has turns of expression which are identical, and not common elsewhere; _e.g. _"in times of trouble" ...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Why do you stand a far off, O LORD? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? (Psalms 10:1) Have you ever prayed that? "Lord, why aren't You doing something about it? Why do You seem to hide Yours...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    Jeremiah 14:8; Job 13:24; Job 23:9; Job 34:29; Psalms 13:1;...

  • When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties, Norman L. Geisler and Thomas Howe, 1960

    Is God approachable or unapproachable? PROBLEM: Throughout the Bible God is depicted as eminently approachable, for “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1; cf. 7...

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