Psalm 10 opens with two questions that people still ask today: “Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (verse 1). The middle verses detail the cause of the trouble. The psalm concludes with a confident expression of faith: “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” (verses 17,18).

Take some time to read Psalm 10. What changes from the beginning to the end of it? Did the psalmist write the first 13 verses, hear an update, and become satisfied that the Lord had heard his prayer and had called to account the evil person? Did the Spirit simply remind him about the times he had seen the Lord’s helping hand come to the defense of the helpless? Did he go out as a servant of God and bring relief to a terrorized person?

Somehow, the psalmist’s question is stilled, and he sees God overseeing the movements of the world for the good of the afflicted.

Do you ask these questions? Are the psalmist’s words an answer for you?

God is capable of intervening by miraculous means to bring relief and protection. He also uses us to defend the fatherless and the oppressed. Have you experienced this deliverance? Are there ways you can work to deliver someone else who needs protection or justice? 

Lord, prepare me to serve you!