English Basic Explanation - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

This Psalm describes what appears to us as God's "distance" and the "hiding of His face" during times of trouble (verse 1), times when evil prevails and there seems to be no force capable of opposing it.

The corrupt, shameless schemers who "wait in ambush" (verses 8-9) to prey off innocent victims take pride in their achievements and ill-begotten fortunes.  Divine law never enters their conscience, and they arrogantly deny the doctrine of retribution.  Rashi (verse 4) attributes to the wicked man depicted in this chapter the famous expression, "Leit Din Ve'leit Dayan" – "There is no judgment, and there is no Judge."  This denial of divine justice leads the evildoer to the illusionary belief in his own invincibility, as he confidently assures himself of his never-ending ability trample upon the poor and the vulnerable members of society without anybody to stop him (verse 6).  He is convinced that God either does not see, or takes no interest in, the crimes he commits (verses 11, 13).

In the final section of this Psalm, David emphasizes the fallacy of this belief, and the fact that God indeed hears the cries of the victimized poor men and orphans.  Although it indeed seems at times that – as David laments in verse 1 – God stands a distance and overlooks the crimes committed against righteous men, David nevertheless reaffirms his belief in Providence and God's attentive ear to the innocent victims of wrongdoing.  He declares that "Hashem is King for eternity" (verse 16), and He has never left the world to run on its own, without His authority and guidance.

The preponderance and success of evil in the world has caused many people throughout history to question the belief in Providence, to wonder whether there is a God, or, more precisely, whether there is a God who concerns Himself with the plight of the disadvantaged.  Many philosophers and their adherents concluded that even if God exists, He is too powerful to be troubled by the petty events here on earth.  This belief has had the tragic consequence of allowing men the freedom to act as they choose without fear of retribution.  In this chapter, David proclaims his steadfast and unwavering belief in God's ongoing involvement in human affairs, even at times when He appears to "stand at a distance," and despite the evildoers' insistence on His indifference to their crimes.