In our study of Psalm 10, we look at the characteristics of evil men in our world. We will also look at the question of why God allows them to continue to prey on the weak.
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Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
David gets right to the point by asking God why He does not put a stop to the evil that is around us. We all have probably asked the same question at some point in our lives, usually when we are being faced with trials and persecution. The simple answer is that God allows the troubles and trials of this world to grow us in our faith in Him. We must realize that God is in control and He knows all.
In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.
The first characteristic we see is that Satan and those that work for him (the wicked), prey on the weak. Just like a wild animal, they will usually try to work on those that are newer in their faith. We all have our weaknesses but, over time, we learn to follow the Holy Spirit and avoid more and more of the devil's schemes.
He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.
Another characteristic of the evil is the fact that they boast about themselves and even brag about their sinfulness. They praise those who take part in it with them and heap abuse on those that will not. That is happening more and more these days and will continue to get worse.
In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
Another characteristic of the evil is pride and the fact that they think that they are self-sufficient. The evil men do not have time to think about the things of God as they are too busy chasing after the things of the flesh. If you try to explain that they need God, they will more than likely tell you that they have everything under control. This unwillingness to surrender control of their lives is due to their pride which is the same thing that brought on the fall of Satan.
His ways are always prosperous; your laws are rejected by him; he sneers at all his enemies. He says to himself, 'Nothing will ever shake me.' He swears, 'No one will ever do me harm.' His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.
Another characteristic of the evil is that they are arrogant and think that they are above the laws of God. They live as if they are the final authority in all matters and will say anything to get ahead.
He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent. His eyes watch in secret for his victims; like a lion in cover he lies in wait. He lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net. His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.
The evil men are compared to lions hunting for food. They will hide and wait to take out the weaker animals. The same thing is true for Satan and the men that he uses. They will work on the weaker members of a group in hopes of bringing down all of them.
He says to himself, 'God will never notice; he covers his face and never sees.'
The evil men try to work under the radar unnoticed and even convince themselves that God is not watching.
Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, 'He won't call me to account'? But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.
David cries out to the Lord to help the weak and we are reminded that He is the only source of our strength. He has not forgotten us and the evil men are only allowed to do so much and only for a certain amount of time. David remembers that God has a special place in His heart for the weak and the fatherless.
Break the arm of the wicked man; call the evildoer to account for his wickedness that would not otherwise be found out. The Lord is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.
David calls out for God to stop the evil and, though it has not happened yet, it will happen. This will be after the Millennial Reign when evil is judged and removed from the world. The kingdom will be set up during that thousand years and those who do not accept the Lord will be removed from Jerusalem and all of Israel.
You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.
David remembers that ultimately God is in control and the reign of evil men will end. This will usher in the eternal reign of Jesus Christ.
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