Псалом 10

The psalm can be considered written during the preparations for the uprising of Absalom, which was noticed by both David and people close to him, who advised him to flee from Jerusalem. But David assessed the seriousness of his situation differently and continued to live in Jerusalem. David's friends advised him to save himself in the mountains, since they considered Absalom's conspiracy to be already completely organized, and David's position was dangerous (1-3). David, recognizing himself as pure before Absalom and the people, continues to remain in Jerusalem, believing that the Lord will punish the wicked (4-7). Ps.10:1. I trust in the Lord; How then do you say to my soul: “Fly away to your mountain like a bird”? “In the Lord I trust.” David was accustomed to ordering and coordinating his life with the instructions of the Lord, which he does not want to give up even now, he entrusted himself to His guidance, and not to the advice of friends, although sincere, he may disagree with God’s decision about David. - “Fly to the mountain”, i.e. the Judean mountains, in numerous caves you could easily hide from enemies. - “Speak to my soul” - Hebraism - speak to me. Ps.10:2. For behold, the wicked have drawn their bow, and have set their arrow to the string, to shoot in the darkness at the upright in heart. The friends justified their advice to flee by looking at the conspiracy as completely organized and ready for action. Ps.10:3. When the foundations are destroyed, what will the righteous do? “The foundations are destroyed” - the foundations of political and social life were shaken, since the conspirators did not recognize David as king, wanted his overthrow and sought to establish a new direction in life. What else can a righteous man, that is, David, do but not run, who, in order to fight against an armed uprising that is ready to appear, has only the consciousness of his purity before his enemies, but no external means of defense. Ps.10:4. The Lord is in His holy church, the Lord is His throne in heaven, His eyes behold [on the poor]; His eyelids try the sons of men. Ps.10:5. The Lord tests the righteous, but His soul hates the wicked and those who love violence. David contrasts this advice with his faith in God as the protector of the righteous. The Lord watches over people from heaven, sending, as now, trials to the righteous in the temporary success of the wicked, but He hates the latter as those who trample His Law. Ps.10:6. He will rain burning coals, fire and brimstone on the wicked; and the scorching wind is their portion from the cup; Ps.10:7. for the Lord is righteous, loves righteousness; He sees the righteous in His face. The Lord will rain down “burning coals, fire and brimstone” on the wicked. By burning coals we can mean lightning, by fire and brimstone - death through special shocks of nature, such as the death of Sodom and other cities of Pentapolis (see Gen. 19:24). The scorching wind is probably the simoom, well known to the Jews for its disastrous effects. - “Their portion from the cup” - this is their lot, appointed by God, who does not allow the triumph of wickedness, since the Lord “loves righteousness; He sees the righteous man in His face,” that is, he always provides for him and protects him. You might be interested in: