Psalm 10: The Facts on The Ground
“All their thoughts are, ‘There is no God.'” This is the psalmist’s diagnosis of the most successful people in his world—a powerful group collectively called “the wicked”. Hidden within this observation is a question: “God, are you watching this?” The psalmist continues, “Their ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of their sight; as for their foes…” In other words, the psalmist is suggesting that something is getting lost in translation between the heavenly judgments of God and the facts on the ground. It seems that the one’s who are getting ahead in our world those who are willing to climb on the backs of others. The rich get richer at the expense of the poor and they think to themselves, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it” (v. 11).
It is always tempting to take things at face value. In our world, no different than the psalmists, it just seems like the good girls and guys can’t win. But the psalmist counters the observations of his eyes with his expectant hope that God does in fact see the things that take place on the earth. He sees and he cares deeply (v. 14). And beyond that, he is able to judge rightly and bring about true justice. The psalmist implores him to do so:
Break the arm of the wicked and evildoers; seek out their wickedness until you find none.
David asks the Lord to act and to disable those who oppressing their neighbors. But at the close of this psalm, this is his only request. Surrounding this imploring of God to act is theology. Look at what he says in v. 14:
But you do see! Indeed you note trouble and grief, that you may take it into your hands; the helpless commit themselves to you; you have been the helper of the orphan.
And again in vv. 16-18:
The LORD is king forever and ever; the nations shall perish from his land. Psa. 10:17 O LORD, you will hear the desire of the meek; you will strengthen their heart, you will incline your ear 18 to do justice for the orphan and the oppressed, so that those from earth may strike terror no more.
Even though everything David sees would tell him, echoing Longfellow, “that hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men,” his faith tells him otherwise. In order to combat injustice, we not only need righteous indignation we need deep theological reflection and prayer. The psalms invite us to the intersection of this sort of rich theology and bold, unflinching prayer. Jesus, in announcing the “Kingdom has come near” declares that through his power and life, that the justice of God is no longer a pipe dream but that the judgments of heaven have come to earth at last.