Psalm 10: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Psalm 10 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The psalmist laments Yahweh's distance, asking why He seems to hide in trouble (vv. 1-2). He describes the wicked, who are arrogant and act without regard for God. They boast of their desires and promote greed, ignoring the needs of others (vv. 3-6). The wicked oppress the helpless. They ambush the innocent and revel in their power over the weak (vv. 7-10). The wicked think they will not face consequences, believing that God has forgotten them (vv. 11-12). The psalmist calls for God's justice against the wicked. He asks God to act, to break the strength of the evil (vv. 13-15). Finally, he affirms God's sovereignty, stating that Yahweh rules forever. He listens to the humble and will uphold the fatherless and oppressed (vv. 16-18).

Key verse

“Why do you stand far off, Yahweh? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”
Psalms 10:1 (WEB)

Outline

Psalm 10:1–2 Lamenting God's Distance
Psalm 10:3–6 Description of the Wicked
Psalm 10:7–10 Oppression of the Helpless
Psalm 10:11–12 The Wicked's False Security
Psalm 10:13–15 Call for God's Justice
Psalm 10:16–18 Affirmation of God's Sovereignty

Discussion questions

In v6, why does the wicked person say, 'I shall not be shaken'?
What does the psalmist ask in v12 when he calls for God to 'arise'?
In v14, what does the phrase 'you do see trouble and grief' imply about God's awareness of suffering?
In v18, what does the psalmist mean by saying that 'man who is of the earth may terrify no more'?
When have you felt like the 'helpless' described in vv. 9-10, and how did you respond?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Psalm 10: Matthew 7, Psalm 12, Psalm 14.

Before next time: read Psalm 11.