Presented, October 03, 2004 pm
THE WICKED AND HIS BOASTING
Psalm 10
You may recall in Psalm 2 David asked a question of God, “Why do the nations rage and the people plot a vain thing?” It was a call to God as to why wickedness is allowed to abound in this world. In Psalm 10 the author in more detail describes the raging and plotting of the wicked. But he also notes (as in Psalm 2) God’s justice. Tonight we notice this psalm.
Who wrote this psalm is uncertain. Some believe it to be a continuation of Psalm 9, or another paired psalm (as Psalms 1-2 & 3-4). If such is the case David wrote it, but we cannot be sure. There is no superscription. This psalm is one that describes in greater detail the evilness of the wicked than any other psalm. Augustine and others have called this, “The Psalm of Antichrist” which is appropriate when you consider the anti-Christ is one opposed to Christ and His ways.
As you read this psalm you might notice how “modern” the psalmist’s concerns really are. In this we find the nature of man has not changed even in the 3000 years since this psalm was penned.
I. God Standing Afar Off (1) – Does He?
A.
Perplexing questions asked in frustration.
Why do you stand afar off, O Lord? Why do you hide in times of trouble?
We have discussed this type of question before. Here we briefly notice a few
thoughts:
1. Such questions are not uncommon.
Psalm 2:1 – Why do the nations rage?
Psalm 22:1 is a prophecy of the saying of Jesus on the cross, “My God, why have
you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
From time to time we all wonder such things.
2. They are inaccurate questions –
Because God is NOT afar off – Acts 17:27 though He is not far from each of us
Jeremiah 23:23-24 – speaking of the empty message of false prophets to Judah the
Lord says, “‘Am I God near at hand’ says the Lord, ‘And not a God afar off?
Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?’ says the
Lord. ‘Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ says the Lord”
God is NOT hiding – Hebrews 4:13 – no creature is hidden from His sight.
3. God is simply not working on our schedule or our ways – His ways are higher than ours – Isaiah 55:9
4. Rest assured that for all the wicked do, God will bring them
into account – Eccl. 11:9, 12:14
Romans 2:16, “in the day when God will judge the
secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel”
II. The Wicked Persecutes the Poor (2-11)
A. He is prideful and boasts of his heart’s desire (2,3) Sinful pride condemns.
1. Pride is a serious sin (I realize that any sin is serious)
because it leads to so many other things. Pride is the attitude that causes one
to not care about others and causes one to act arrogantly. In this psalm we see
exactly what the prideful does
IS THERE any doubt as to why God demands humility in our lives?
2. Prov 16:5, “Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.”
3. Prov 26:12, “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
4. 1 Peter 5:5, “Submit to God, Resist the Devil Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
B. He persecutes the poor
1. Evidently this is describing one who has resources at his
disposal. He doesn’t hesitate to cheat and take advantage of the poor. Such is
the way of this world. Those with greater resources often use them to gain more
for themselves while they crush those who are defenseless.
We see it everyday in our affluent society. This is part of the evil that
accompanies “the love of money” 1 Timothy 6:10
2. James 2:5-7 – It is the wealthy who will oppress.
3. Note also the numerous passages that call for the godly to consider the poor and widows. To be compassionate (James 1:27; Galatians 2:10)
4. The Psalmist’s request – Let them be caught in their plots –
When laws are just, they catch those who oppress. That is why in America we
have anti-trust laws, serious charges against insider trading, truth-in-lending
laws, etc.
Often the greedy get caught because they are not satisfied with what they have.
Consider Martha Stewart who is going to jail over a few thousand dollars
compared to her millions. While we should not gloat in the downfall of others,
such things are sweet vengeance.
C. He boasts in his heart’s desires
1. Have you ever heard anyone say, “I can have anything I want”?
How often does man fail to include God in his plans?
2. Consider James 4:13-16, esp. 16 which says, “But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”
3. Luke 12:16-21 tells the parable of the rich fool who boasted about his great possessions but lost it all because he “lays up for himself treasure and is not rich toward God”
D. He blesses the greedy (3).
1. If hotly pursuing the poor is not enough, he blesses those who are selfish and greedy. He has placed himself in the class of the worldly.
2. Isaiah 5:20, ‘Woe to those who call evil good , and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
3. Do we find ourselves blessing the greedy and ungodly? Do we “invest” in those whose riches are ill-gotten? Do we join the world in praising the successful who have compromised godly principles and sold their souls for wealth?
E. He renounces the Lord (3-5a)
1. Here is one who openly doesn’t care about God. In fact he
curses God because His ways hinder progress. Consider that man has tried to
eliminate God from his thoughts through legislation, litigation and theories.
One reason he neglects God is because he continues to prosper (worldly). The
problem with worldly wealth is it can turn one from a realization he needs God.
2. Some of the saddest Biblical characters were men who renounced the Lord – Pharaoh, Ahab & Jehoiakim who destroyed Jeremiah’s message from God to him (Jeremiah 36)
3. An interesting thought: While God is everywhere, here is one
place He is not – but it is by man’s choice. Romans 1:28 – God is NOT going to
make anyone follow after Him.
But rest assured, at one time or another, ALL WILL BOW!
F. He sneers at his enemies (5b-6)
G.
A show of his arrogance and contempt for justice.
Here is one who thinks he is invincible.
He is arrogant thinking he is invincible (6)
1. Goliath thought he was invincible to Israel – until a little boy defeated him with a small stone. (1 Samuel 17)
2. A word of caution to the righteous. Though our enemies may be God’s enemies, we should not sneer at them. Let God take vengeance in His time – Romans 12:19
H. His mouth curses and lies (7)
1. Here is one who will say whatever he has to say to gain advantage. Often the greedy will not hesitate to curse others. It’s all about what in it for him. And he will not hesitate to say whatever he has to say to get his way.
2. I can’t help but think of what Jesus said in Matthew 15:18-20 where He said that out of the mouth proceeds that which comes from the heart.
I. He crushes the innocent & poor (8-10)
1. In his greed he will seek out the poor because they are easy prey. Like the lion, he seeks out the weak and defenseless. Notice the length to which he will go – he will even kill to get his way or if one is a threat to his way of life.
2. Perhaps a good example of the extreme would be the corrupt
Jewish leaders in the days of Jesus. They devoured widows houses and showed
contempt for the poor.
ULTIMATELY they murdered Jesus because He was a threat.
3. Brethren, this is WHY we are to care about them.
J. He thinks God is not watching (11)
1. Going back to verse 1 and the perplexing questions. The ungodly acts as he does because there are no immediate consequences to his actions. Since God is not visible as you and I are, they think He is not there and that He does not see.
2. Rest assured God sees ALL things – Matthew 12:36 – for every idle word we will give account
3. Vs. 13 Why do the wicked renounce God? They think He will not
require an account.
2 Peter 3:3-4 – scoffers will come saying where is the promise of his coming?
III. A cry to God (12-18)
A. In this cry we find what we have discussed in the numerous psalms thus far. God remembers those who are His and He WILL deliver them.
B. Do not forget the humble (12). HE doesn’t 1 Peter 5:5 – We are to submit to one another. God gives grace to the humble.
C. God will deliver the helpless and defeat the wicked (14-15)
In the request to “seek out his wickedness until you find no more” means to deal with it until it is brought to nothing.D. The Lord is in control (16-18)
By His power the wicked will oppress no more
Thus, while the psalmist describes the wicked in great detail he still with faith acknowledges that God will deliver him and all who are righteous. Just as Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:8 – the crown of righteousness is not for him alone but “all who have loved his appearing”. Whose side are you on?