Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

When . . . are turned back--It is the result of God's power alone. He, as a righteous Judge (Psa 7:11), vindicates His people. He rebukes by acts as well as words (Psa 6:1; Psa 18:15), and so effectually as to destroy the names of nations as well as persons.

Literally, "As to the enemy finished are his ruins for ever. Thou [God] hast destroyed," &c. (Sa1 15:3, Sa1 15:7; Sa1 27:8-9). The wicked are utterly undone. Their ruins shall never be repaired.

God's eternal possession of a throne of justice is contrasted with the ruin of the wicked.

The oppressed, and all who know Him (Psa 5:3; Psa 7:1), find Him a sure refuge.

(Compare Psa 2:6; Psa 3:4).

for blood--that is, murders (Psa 5:6), including all the oppressions of His people. maketh inquisition--(compare Gen 9:5). He will avenge their cause.

gates--or, "regions." of death--Gates being the entrance is put for the bounds.

gates . . . Zion--The enclosure of the city (compare Psa 48:12; Isa 23:12), or, church, as denoted by this phrase contrasted with that of death, carries out the idea of exaltation as well as deliverance. Signal favors should lead us to render signal and public thanks.

The undesigned results of the devices of the wicked prove them to be of God's overruling or ordering, especially when those results are destructive to the wicked themselves.

Higgaion--means "meditation," and, combined with Selah, seems to denote a pause of unusual solemnity and emphasis (compare Psa 3:2). Though Selah occurs seventy-three times, this is the only case in which Higgaion is found. In the view which is given here of the retribution on the wicked as an instance of God's wise and holy ordering, we may well pause in adoring wonder and faith.

shall be turned--or, "shall turn," retreating under God's vengeance, and driven by Him to the extreme of destruction, even hell itself. Those who forget God are classed with the depraved and openly profane.

(Compare Psa 13:1-6). the needy--literally, "poor," as deprived of anything; hence miserable. expectation of the poor--or, "meek," "humble," made so by affliction.

Arise--(compare Psa 4:7). let not man-- (Psa 8:4). let . . . be judged--and of course condemned.

By their effectual subjection, make them to realize their frail nature (Psa 8:4), and deter them from all conceit and future rebellion. Next: Psalms Chapter 10

Literally, "In pride of the wicked they (the poor or humble, Psa 10:17; Psa 12:5) shall be taken in the devices they (the proud) have imagined."

heart's--or, "soul's." desire--that is, his success in evil. and blesseth, &c.--he (the wicked) blesseth the covetous, he despiseth the Lord.

The face expresses the self-conceit, whose fruit is practical atheism (Psa 14:1).

Such is his confidence in the permanence of his way or course of life, that he disregards God's providential government (out of sight, because he will not look, Isa 26:11), sneers at his enemies, and boasts perpetual freedom from evil.

The malignity and deceit (Psa 140:3) of such are followed by acts combining cunning, fraud, and violence (compare Pro 1:11, Pro 1:18), aptly illustrated by the habits of the lion, and of hunters taking their prey. "Poor," in Psa 10:8, Psa 10:10, Psa 10:14, represents a word peculiar to this Psalm, meaning the sad or sorrowful; in Psa 10:9, as usual, it means the pious or meek sufferer.

eyes . . . privily--He watches with half-closed eyes, appearing not to see.

croucheth--as a lion gathers himself into as small compass as possible to make the greater spring. fall by his strong ones--The figure of the lion is dropped, and this phrase means the accomplices of the chief or leading wicked man.

As before, such conduct implies disbelief or disregard of God's government.

(Compare Psa 9:19; Psa 3:7). the humble--(Compare Psa 10:17, and Margin.) lift up thine hand--exert thy power.

It is in vain to suppose God will overlook sin, however forbearing; for He carefully examines or beholds all wickedness, and will mark it by His providential (Thine hand) punishment.

mischief and spite--provocation and trouble of the sufferer (compare Psa 6:7; Psa 7:14). committeth--or, "leaves (his burden) on Thee."

arm--power. till thou find none--So far from not requiting (Psa 10:11, Psa 10:13), God will utterly destroy the wicked and his deeds (Psa 9:5-6; Psa 34:16; Psa 37:36).

God reigns. The wicked, if for a time successful, shall be cut off. He hears and confirms the hearts of His suffering people (Psa 112:7), executes justice for the feeble, and represses the pride and violence of conceited, though frail, men (compare Psa 9:16). Next: Psalms Chapter 11