Psalm 10 provides much wisdom from God concerning human oppression. First, using many different terms, we learn who the people are that are typically oppressed by other people: “the poor” (10:2; 8; 9 [2x]; 10; 14); “the innocent” (10:8); “the humble” (10:12, 17); “the fatherless” (10:14, 18); and, “the oppressed” (10:18).
Second, we learn the root causes of the oppression that they experience. Proud wicked people who do not seek God (10:4) and do not have God in their thoughts (10:4) persecute them (10:2). These evil oppressors vainly assure themselves that they will never be moved and be in adversity (10:6).
They misinform themselves continually by telling themselves that God has forgotten, has hidden His face, and will never see (10:11). What’s more, they contemn God and say in their hearts that He will not requite them for their wickedness (10:13).
Third, the Psalm instructs us that the only true solution for all such oppression is prayer (10:12, 15) to the Lord, the eternal King of all (10:16). He has seen and has known all the wicked thoughts, schemes, and deeds of every oppressor (10:14). He will most certainly ultimately requite all who oppress others (10:14).
He has heard the prayers of the oppressed (10:17), and they must persevere in praying to Him that He would arise to judge on their behalf so that they may no longer be oppressed (10:18). Turning to God in absolute trust in Him is the one true hope for all the oppressed.
Fourth, we must learn to fear God ourselves and treat all others properly, knowing that He will one day “judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to [Paul’s] gospel” (Rom. 2:16). We must not allow ourselves to oppress others because we do not keep God in our thoughts and do not speak the truth in our hearts about His knowledge of our evil deeds and about the certainty of His requiting all oppressors.
Fifth, based on the teaching of this Psalm, we should teach others about the true causes of all human oppression and what is the true solution for it. Our world, which is filled with so much horrific oppression, desperately needs a believing acceptance of this divine wisdom concerning human oppression.
Copyright © 2011-2024 by Rajesh Gandhi. All rights reserved.
