Psalms 10 - Introduction

A.M. 2986. B.C. 1018.

Neither the author nor the occasion of this Psalm is certainly known; but the rabbins have a rule, (which, however, will not always hold good,) that every Psalm which has not any title prefixed to it is to be ascribed to the same author who composed the preceding. It is probable David wrote this; and indeed the LXX, and the Vulgate, in their translations, join it with the ninth, and make them both but one. But in the original Hebrew this stands as a distinct Psalm, and the scope and style of it are different from those of the foregoing. In it David complains of the wicked, whose wickedness when they are in power he describes in a most lively manner, showing how they abuse it to the oppression of their inferiors, and make no conscience by what arts they bring about their designs, Psalms 10:1. He prays to God to appear against them, for the relief of his people, and rejoices in the prospect of his doing so, Psalms 10:12.