Psalm 10 – A Helper of the Fatherless

By: Edward Cortez

 

In times of trouble when evil seems to triumph over good, we tend to ask the question whether God is still in control. Or whether God truly exists and is aware of what is going on in the world especially when we think of the devastating war in Ukraine or the elusive peace in the Middle East or the riots taking place in Europe. The psalmist has the same concerns in Psalm 10, verse 1: “Why do you stand afar off, O Lord? Why do you hide in times of trouble?”

It does seem like a big injustice when those who do not believe in God and are in rebellion against Him continue to fl ourish despite their oppression on the weak, the hapless, and the poor. This is the big question mark swirling in the back of the psalmist’s mind.

“Arise, O Lord!,” implores the psalmist, “O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble” (verse 12).

After unloading himself on God, the psalmist then answers his own questions. He realizes that despite his own perception of the silence of heaven, God continues to be actively engaged in the affairs of all people. He declares, “But you have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand” (verse 14). One of the Hebrew names for God is “El Roi” -the “God who sees.”

God works according to His timetable and divine program. He oversees the rise and fall of nations and empires, and He remains the “King forever and ever” (verse 16). We just have to trust in the machinations of heaven. God’s kind of justice will be fair, perfect, and swift.

We have to come to grips with the truth, as David eventually realizes, that God remains the sovereign Ruler of all even if the world seems to be spinning out of control and wickedness is at an all-time high. We may not understand His silence, but His wisdom is far greater than anyone.

One thing is certain, those who will humble themselves and commit to Him are guaranteed of His help, compassion, and kindness as affi rmed by David, “The helpless commits himself to God and He is the helper of the fatherless… 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” (verses 17, 18).

God is not only the Helper of the fatherless, but He is also the Father of the fatherless (Psalm 68:5). The Lord’s Prayer begins with, “Our Father…” That means we have to be in a relationship with our Father through faith in His Son, Jesus. Believe and trust in Jesus so that we can be part of God’s family and have all the rights and benefi ts of a son or daughter of a King!