Psalm 10 – KJV

1 Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?

2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.

4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.

6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.

7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.

8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.

9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.

11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.

12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.

13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.

14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.

16 The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.

17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

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Psalm 10 – Prayer

O Lord,

Why do You stand afar off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? The wicked in their pride persecute the poor; let them be caught in the schemes they have devised. The wicked boast of their heart’s desires and bless the greedy, whom You, Lord, abhor.

The wicked, through the pride of their countenance, do not seek after You; God is not in all their thoughts. Their ways are always grievous; Your judgments are far above, out of their sight. As for all their enemies, they sneer at them. They say in their heart, “I shall not be moved; I shall never be in adversity.”

Their mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and fraud; under their tongue is mischief and iniquity. They sit in the lurking places of the villages; in the secret places, they murder the innocent. Their eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless. They lie in wait secretly as a lion in his den; they lie in wait to catch the poor, and they draw them into their net.

They crouch and humble themselves, that the poor may fall by their strong ones. They say in their heart, “God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see it.” Arise, O Lord! O God, lift up Your hand; do not forget the humble.

Why do the wicked renounce God? They say in their heart, “You will not require an account.” But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand. The helpless commit themselves to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.

Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; seek out his wickedness until You find none. The Lord is King forever and ever; the nations have perished out of His land. Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress no more.

In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Amen.

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Psalm 10 – Poem

O Lord, why do You stand so far away?

In times of trouble, why hide Your way?

The wicked in pride persecute the poor,

Let them be caught in their schemes, no more.

For the wicked boasts of their heart’s desire,

Blesses the greedy, setting the world on fire.

In arrogance, they seek not the Lord,

Their thoughts, “God is forgotten, no accord.”

Their ways seem prosperous at every turn,

Your laws are far, their heart does not yearn.

They sneer at foes with haughty disdain,

Saying, “Nothing will move us, we remain.”

Their mouths are full of curses and lies,

Trouble and evil beneath their disguise.

They lurk in ambush, waiting for prey,

In dark corners, the innocent to slay.

Like a lion in cover, they crouch and wait,

To catch the helpless, sealing their fate.

The poor are crushed, fall under their might,

As the wicked say, “God hides from sight.”

Arise, O Lord, lift Your hand, O God,

Forget not the humble, under the rod.

Why does the wicked revile Your name?

Saying, “You will not call me to blame.”

But You see the trouble and grief they bear,

You consider it, take it in Your care.

The victims entrust themselves to You,

Defender of orphans, Your promise true.

Break the arm of the wicked and vile,

Call them to account for their guile.

The Lord is King forevermore,

The nations perish, the wicked’s lore.

You hear the desires of the afflicted heart,

Encouraging them, taking their part.

Defending the fatherless and oppressed,

That mortal man may strike no more distress.

Amen.

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