Prayer against the Enemy of the Church.
10. He croucheth, the description again being that of a beast of prey, and humbleth himself, ducking low, getting ready for the sudden spring, that the poor may fall by his strong ones, his wicked helpers, who also rejoice in iniquity.
V. 11. He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten; He hideth His face; He will never see it. This blasphemous thought is the consolation of the wicked; by it they lull themselves into a false security, stifling the voice of their conscience in order to ply their wicked trade without hindrance.
DAVID MAKES A PLEA FOR SPEEDY DELIVERANCE. — V. 12. Arise, O Lord, David’s usual powerful and importunate appeal to Yahweh, the true God; O God, lift up Thine hand, namely, for the purpose of punishing the wicked; forget not the humble, forsaking them, giving them up to the cruelty of the wicked.
V. 13. Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? How is it possible that God should permit such a blasphemous challenge of His government? He hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it, not call the wicked to account for his every misdeed.
V. 14. Thou hast seen it, this being set against the false security of the wicked; for Thou beholdest mischief and spite, all the grief which the ungodly lays upon the righteous, to requite it with Thy hand, with the full punishment which it deserves. The poor committeth himself unto Thee, trusting in God’s righteous judgment; Thou art the Helper of the fatherless, those without natural protectors to defend them.
V. 15. Break Thou the arm of the wicked, definitely putting a stop to his wicked acts, and the evil man; seek out his wickedness till Thou find none, the result being such a reverent awe of God that all meanness would be removed and disappear without leaving a trace.
V. 16. The Lord is King forever and ever, He is not dethroned despite all the attacks of the enemies; the heathen are perished out of His land, cut off entirely, annihilated, no remnant remaining. This being the poet’s assurance, he adds his last plea.
V. 17. Lord, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble, their longing for help; Thou wilt prepare their heart, establishing it by firm confidence in Him; Thou wilt cause Thine ear to hear, to attend closely to their cry, v. 18. to judge the fatherless and the oppressed, executing judgment upon their oppressors, that the man of the earth, the haughty wicked adversary, may no more oppress, by terrifying the believers.
That is the consolation of the children of God at all times, that He will finally vindicate His might and execute judgment upon all enemies of His people.