Thursday 22 September 2016

Background

For regular followers of A Word in Time who have been readingpassages from Proverbs, some verses of this psalm could berewritten as in a more proverb-like way. Verses 2 and 3 arepossible examples. But a crucial difference between Psalms andProverbs is that the psalms are addressed directly to God. Theappeal to God "Rise up, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; do notforget the oppressed" is particularly noteworthy. Both books,though, are regarded as Wisdom literature in the Old Testament.

In the Hebrew Psalms 9 and 10 are combined into one, and theyhave similar language and content. Psalm 9 gives thanks to God thatthe national enemies have been overthrown, whilst (in comparison)Psalm 10 bemoans the arrogant success of the wicked.

Psalm 10 can be divided into a number of parts - the first(verses 1-11) focuses on the corrupt and the wicked and theirarrogance, the second part (verses 12-15) pays more attention tothe oppressed appealing for divine intervention on their behalf,and the final three verses are an assurance of a just outcome.

Whereas the Old Testament prophets may focus on the actions ofthe wicked such as Amos who accusing them of being deceitful withfalse balances (Amos 8:5), the psalmist looks at theirrelationship with God. Or rather their lack of it: for example,verse 4 - "all their thoughts are, 'There is no God.'" This doesnot mean that the wicked deny the existence of God, but that theyview God shows no concern and is ineffective.

The irony comes in verse 12, where the appeal is to thesupposedly ineffective God.

To Ponder

• Which do you prefer reading - the book of Proverbs or thePsalms? Why?

• Today's passage ends at verse 12. How does reading the wholePsalm alter your view of it?

• If someone says that God shows no concern and is ineffective,how would you respond?