Psalm 10
Psalm 10 has no title; it’s the only Psalm between #3 and #32 that has no title. That’s another reason why scholars think that Psalm 9 and Psalm 10 may have together been one complete Psalm. Small item.
The focus on the wicked and his/her/their deeds in verses 2 through 11 (plus other verses) is strange in that most of us don’t see these people or their deeds in our everyday lives. We read articles in the newspapers and magazines. We see horrible behaviors – violence, lust, corruption, etc. – in movies and on television. But we tend not to see these behaviors ourselves unless our jobs or our volunteerism take us there. So I’m wondering how much the psalmists actually saw these people and their behaviors. Presumably King David, because of his position had evildoers in and around his throne, although certainly not of his making or his desire! A famous proverb from 1887 says that “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” (https://oll.libertyfund.org/quote/lord-acton-writes-to-bishop-creighton-that-the-same-moral-standards-should-be-applied-to-all-men-political-and-religious-leaders-included-especially-since-power-tends-to-corrupt-and-absolute-power-corrupts-absolutely-1887) So I’m wondering how much evil and corruption the “average Jew” saw back in David’s time – and on down through the ages. Did they see the nearby poor and the oppressed being mistreated by those who had power over them?
Then I ask again about ourselves, that maybe we are not near enough to power-holders to see more evil deeds? But what about in the church? One of the blessings of our Anglican tradition is oversight, that our deacons, priests, and bishops all submit to an ecclesiastical oversight, a “covering”, if you will. It’s what that breakaway group from St. John’s sought in 2004 as they became St. Andrew’s. They immediately looked for ecclesiastical covering and found it in Uganda. That blessed relationship has persisted now for 17 years! It’s what those of us handling the church finances seek – always being transparent and having others looking over our shoulders. It’s what we all need in our daily lives: …confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. (James 5:16)
The psalmist closes this Psalm with his consistent confidence in the Lord’s working: O LORD, You hear the desire of the afflicted; You will strengthen their heart; You will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more. (vv. 19-20)
I agree Fred. It’s so easy to watch the news and see the suffering of others but not feel connected to the people. That’s why I appreciate the efforts of our mission committee to keep us connected to our missionaries, to keep us informed of prayer needs from those whose work we support, of their accomplishments, and background information on the people they are serving. St. Andrew’s offers many opportunities for us to serve our community, both here and far away. Our contributions may seem small in the big picture but one candle in the dark spreads light.
Thank you for kind words to the Mission Committee, Courtenay.
Fred, I think that the situation described in the psalm was felt by the average Hebrew as well as by us today, particularly the marginalized: poor, homeless, widows, immigrants, etc. There are many references to caring for these people, so it must have been a problem then as now. Treating laborers fairly, paying their wages, etc. I can see lots of examples, as well as so many ways to step up to show God’s love to our hurting and suffering neighbors. I just need the Spirit’s courage, boldness, energy.