Psa 10:12-18 | MHM | STEP | Prayer against Persecutors In this section, David turns to God after describing the evil acts of oppressors. He prays for God to act and defend those who suffer. David asks God to show His justice and power, to remember the humble, and to stop the wicked. He trusts that God has seen all the harm done and will help those who depend on Him. David also remembers how God has helped His people before and believes that God will do so again. He encourages all who suffer to put their hope in God, who rules forever and listens to the cries of the helpless. v. 12 : David prays, Arise, O Lord ! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble . He asks God to show His presence and power, to defend His people, and to prove that He has not forgotten those who are poor and oppressed.

‏ Psalms 10:12-18

Prayer against Persecutors

In this section, David turns to God after describing the evil acts of oppressors. He prays for God to act and defend those who suffer. David asks God to show His justice and power, to remember the humble, and to stop the wicked. He trusts that God has seen all the harm done and will help those who depend on Him. David also remembers how God has helped His people before and believes that God will do so again. He encourages all who suffer to put their hope in God, who rules forever and listens to the cries of the helpless.

v. 12: David prays, Arise, O Lord! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble . He asks God to show His presence and power, to defend His people, and to prove that He has not forgotten those who are poor and oppressed.

v. 13: David wonders why the wicked insult God. Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, "You will not require an account" . The wicked think God will never judge them. This is a great insult to God, but David is sure that the day of judgment will come.

v. 14: David says, But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless . Even if oppressors think God does not notice, He does. God sees every act of evil and will pay it back. Those who suffer trust God to help them, especially those with no one else to help.

v. 15: David asks God to break the power of the wicked. Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; seek out his wickedness until You find none . This means to stop the oppressors from hurting others and to make sure all their evil is punished and ended. God sometimes takes away the power of evil people so they cannot harm others (Job 34:30; Daniel 7:12 ^a).

v. 16: David remembers that God is King forever. The Lord is King forever and ever; the nations have perished out of His land . God has removed evil nations before, and He can do it again. God’s people can appeal to Him as their eternal King, who judges with justice.

v. 17: David trusts that God hears the prayers of the humble. Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear . God first prepares the hearts of His people to pray, then He listens and answers. When we feel a desire to pray, it is a sign that God is already working in us (Proverbs 16:1 ^b).

v. 18: David is confident that God will bring justice for the oppressed. To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress no more (Psalm 10:18 ^c). God will defend those who cannot defend themselves. He will stop the powerful from abusing the weak. The greatest oppressor is still just a man, while God is eternal and all-powerful (Isaiah 51:12; Revelation 20:3 ^d).

As we read or sing these verses (Psalm 10:12–18 ^e), we should place our hope in God, commit our troubles to Him, and trust that He will defend what is right and bring justice in His perfect time.