Psalm 10
Geneva Study Bible
Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in {a} times of trouble?

(a) As soon as we enter into affliction, we think God should help us, but that is not always his due time.

The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
For the wicked {b} boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.

(b) The wicked man rejoices in his own lust he boasts when he has that he would; he brags of his wit and wealth and blesses himself and thus blasphemes the Lord.

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall {c} never be in adversity.

(c) The evil will not touch me, Isa 28:15 or else he speaks thus because he never felt evil.

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

(d) He shows that the wicked have many ways to hide their cruelty and therefore should be even more feared.

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

(e) By the hypocrisy of them who have authority the poor are devoured.

He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
{f} Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.

(f) He calls to God for help, because wickedness is so far overgrown that God must help now or never.

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

(g) Therefore you must punish their blasphemy.

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

(h) To judge between the right and the wrong.

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

(i) For you have utterly destroyed him.

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

(k) The hypocrites or such as live not after God's law, will be destroyed.

LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
{l} To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

(l) God helps when man's help ceases.

The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599]

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