Psalm 10:7

For this post, I want to focus on Psalm 10:7: "His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression; under his tongue is trouble and wickedness." As David Powlison notes, "this sentence catalogues the ways people intimidate, mislead, and overwhelm others." This section of the psalm makes it clear that the writer is oppressed by another person. However, not only can we be oppressed by other people, but we can also feel oppressed by life's circumstances. Do you ever feel the weight of life on you? Perhaps you have money problems or relationship issues or career challenges. Sometimes the weight of life can feel oppressive, too. In these circumstances, Psalm 10 will speak to you, too. In the next section (vv. 12-15), we'll see how God comforts all of the afflicted.

Before we leave this section, I would like to note one other thing: In Psalm 10 the oppressor is a horrible person, but we always have to make sure that we don't think that the oppressed - especially when we are feeling struck down - are above sin. Powlison writes:

Psalm 10 speaks from the standpoint of the innocent victim who relies on God. But sufferers must honestly ask themselves, "Am I more like my oppressor than I want to admit? Does God find bitterness and falsehood in me? Are there ways I act as if there is no God? Does my reaction to evil reveal my own evil, or a living faith?"

We always have to keep in mind that we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. It is only by God's grace that we can act good at all. When pride, resentment, and vengeance rule our hearts, then we act as the oppressor - living as if God does not exist.

To realize the full blessings of God we must recall James' admonition:

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:6-8