Chapters 9 and 10 go together; both are acrostics.

Chapter 10 is the second half of the alphabet (minus 6, which is the number of man).

" God's working out His eternal purpose, not only in spite of human and satanic opposition, but by means of them." A.W. Pink

Nothing will separate us from the love of God (that includes what He is doing in our lives).

So be honest before God. Be totally honest and open. Ask Him all the Whys.

David is thinking about all the wicked, the wickedness -- Verses 2,3,4,6.

So he runs to God with questions.

What is going on?

Where are You?

Does God answer when we ask the wrong question?

God, we need You in the midst of all that is going on around us.

This is how I see it . . . The Lawless One is winning!

The proud and wicked in Verse 2 - viciously oppress the poor.

David's advice -- let them be caught in the evil they plan for others.

Verse 3

· They brag about the evil they plan.

· They praise the greedy (party with them).

· They curse God.

Verse 4

· They don't consult God - thinking He is dead or nonexistent. (1st fruit of atheism)

Verse 5

· They are rich and prosperous.

· Everything they touch is successful.

· They are ignorant of Your laws of justice.

· They pour scorn -- heap their wrath on all who come against them.

Verse 6

· Pride, self-assurance, circumstances deceive them into thinking nothing bad will ever come their way.

· "We have arrived" is their attitude. Nothing can defeat us.

Verse 7

· They curse, lie, and threaten others in their way.

· They are always planning evil, ready for the opportunity to jump into action.

Verse 8

In words and actions, they are lurking, lying in wait for the innocent, the helpless.

Verse 9

They lie in wait as a lion, ready to capture and devour the target of their evil plans.

Verse 10

The helpless fall, overwhelmed; they collapse beneath the strength of the wicked.

Verse 11

The wicked say, "God isn't watching. He never notices."

That thought triggers something in David!

He knows better. He know his God and he cries out to Him --

Verse12

"Arise, Oh Lord!"

David knows that God is not dead. God is not asleep.

God is involved in what happens to His people.

God's love is always on the scene. His compassion fails not.

David understands that God is a God of judgment.

His thoughts turn toward God --

David knows that God's laws supercede man's laws.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9

Verse 14

David is leaning on the God of Psalm 139.

You see me! You know my trouble! I can trust in You!

You are the defender of the orphans.

" I will not abandon you as orphans - I will come to you." John 14:18

The wicked will rise up; there will be a time when the Antichrist will show up. Their will be evil, wicked men spewing lies - the Nietzsches, the Hitlers, the Stalins, the _______s, that say God is dead.

Where are they now?

God is alive and He has the last Word!

2

Verse 15 Break the arms of the wicked.

· Destroy their power.

· Expose them.

· Destroy them.

Verse 16

The difference prayer makes.

Honesty in prayer results in seeing God’s character, power, and plan.

I know You! And You, my God, are greater than the circumstances.

· The Lord is King forever and ever.

· The evil will not prevail.

Verse 17

· Lord, You know me. I am helpless.

· You know Your children. You know their needs.

· You have promised to hear our prayers.

· You have promised to comfort us.

· You have promised to bring justice to those who are oppressed.

He (Jehoshaphat) said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, the only God in all the heavens, the Ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth.” 2 Chronicles 20:6