Complimentary Story
November/December 2024As I reflected on this psalm, reading it, chewing on it, meditating on it, I came to understand this psalm as presenting a dual context or picture. You can make an argument for both of these interpretations coexisting simultaneously. First, we live in a fallen world that is broken by sin, but second, we also live in a time when the Church itself has become increasingly apostate.
So, as I reflected, I realized that some of these characteristics of the wicked described here in Psalm 10 are equally applicable to many who call themselves “Christians” today. That was a startling thought, but I think statistics, if you can believe them, bear this out.
Current Church Statistics
I did a quick, cursory search on church attendance and faith statistics, and here’s what I found that’s worth sharing with you. These numbers illustrate a modern trend toward practical atheism in the church — people who profess to know God but live as if He doesn’t matter.
A George Barna Group survey conducted last year found the following:
• 73% of born-again Christians say they have a personal responsibility to share their faith with others. Now, that sounds good at first, doesn’t it? But let me add this: I don’t believe 73% of churches in America are teaching personal evangelism as essential. In fact, I’d be surprised if even 50% of churches actively teach the necessity of sharing one’s faith. I believe this number might be inflated, and here’s why:
Out of that 73% who said they feel responsible to share their faith, 52% said they’ve actually done so just once in the past year. That’s once in a year! And I’m not going to put you on the spot by asking for a show of hands, but I wonder how often we have personally shared our faith this year? These numbers reflect the problem I’m talking about — many professing Christians say the right things but rarely live them out.
Now, here’s a survey conducted by Barna in collaboration with Stetzer and Olson, where they found:
• Only 17.7% of Americans attend church weekly. That’s an interesting statistic when compared to older numbers. Barna previously reported around 46-47% of Americans attending weekly services. According to this newer survey, attendance is down to 17.7%, and that number has dropped from 20.4% in 1990. So, in about 25 years, we’ve seen a 3% drop in regular church attendance, even as America’s population has grown 18.1% in that same timeframe. Hundreds of thousands of people have stopped attending church.
This trend becomes clearer when you look at younger generations. For people aged 30 and under — often referred to as “millennials” — only 20% consider church important. Of those, 35% are actively hostile toward Christianity. Not just indifferent — hostile.
So, we’re living in an age of practical atheism within the church. People are saying all the right things but aren’t living it out in a way that shows they truly believe. We’re in a time where the culture, the world around us, increasingly disregards God. We see people who act as though God doesn’t exist, or if He does, He’s irrelevant.
Illustration: 1781 American Revolution
Let me give you an example from history to illustrate this. In 1781, Prince William Henry (who would later become King William IV) came to America to see how the British military was faring against the colonialists. The British were still in control of New York City, so they threw out the red carpet for Prince William, celebrating with balls, parties, and parades, as if everything was going according to plan.
Meanwhile, in Yorktown, Virginia, General Charles Cornwallis had put his troops in a position with their backs to the sea, leaving no escape. Cornwallis was about to make a critical blunder, surrounded by Washington’s forces on land and the French navy by sea. Cornwallis’s surrender later that October essentially marked the end of the Revolutionary War and sealed America’s independence.
In New York City, the British were celebrating, blissfully unaware that defeat was imminent. They acted as if the war was won, even as Cornwallis’s surrender was only days away.
This reminds me of many churches today — content, distracted, and celebrating “success” while a real spiritual battle rages. Psalm 10 reminds us that we’re in a battle against wickedness and godlessness. There’s a very real conflict, and we need to wake up to it.
Outline of Psalm 10
For our study today, here’s an outline to help guide us through Psalm 10:
1). Verse 1 – Why doesn’t God act for the righteous and against the wicked?
2). Verses 2-11 – A description of the characteristics of the wicked and the affliction of the righteous.
3). Verses 12-18 – The response of the righteous.
Verse 1: David’s Question
In verse one, David writes, “Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?”
Some read this verse and think David’s questioning God and perhaps lacking faith. They may say, “David, how could you question God like this?” But I believe David’s question shows deep faith, not a lack of it. David is frustrated because he knows God’s character; he knows that God is just and holy, so he’s wondering why God hasn’t acted against the wicked yet.
David’s not concerned about the trouble itself. He’s asking, “God, I know you don’t tolerate evil. Why aren’t You acting now?” David’s question is not a lack of faith — it’s an appeal to God’s character, a reminder of God’s track record of faithfulness. We can ask God the same questions when we, too, don’t see Him acting as quickly as we’d like.
Verses 2-10: The Characteristics of the Wicked
In verse two, David begins describing the wicked, saying, “In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted.” The wicked never give up oppressing the righteous. We say things like, “Some people live just to stir up trouble.” David’s sentiment here is that the wicked are always pursuing the afflicted. He says, “Let them be caught in the plots they have devised.” We capture this thought with sayings like, “What goes around comes around.” People don’t get away with things forever — especially not in God’s kingdom. God will judge one day.
In verse three, we read that the wicked “boast of their heart’s desire.” Their arrogance and pride lead them to pursue wealth and possessions without regard for God, replacing God with their own material desires. Tragically, some Christians have bought into this same kind of theology. The accumulation of wealth can lead to taking our eyes off the Giver and putting them on the gifts.
In verse four, we read that “the wicked, in the haughtiness of their countenance, do not seek God.” Prosperity gives a false sense of security. The wicked boast in their arrogance that God won’t intervene, leading them into practical atheism. They act as if there’s no consequence for their actions.
Moving on to verse seven, we see that vile speech is another characteristic of the wicked. Paul quoted this verse in Romans 3:14 to describe the lost. We are commanded not to engage in certain types of talk: filthiness, silly talk, and coarse jesting. It’s a stark reminder that, as Christians, our words matter.
Verses eight through ten continue with depictions of the wicked: the wicked sit in hiding places to kill the innocent, waiting to devour the afflicted. These verses paint a vivid picture of the predatory nature of the wicked.
In these verses, David provides a detailed description of the wicked. Why does he go into such depth? I think it’s for several reasons.
1). To remind us not to expect peace. As long as we live in this world, there will be trouble and opposition. The Christian life is not one of constant peace with the world; following Jesus means standing apart, and that invites hostility.
2). To remind us that following Christ means being at odds with the world’s values. The world’s priorities are in direct opposition to Christ’s. Self-promotion, greed, deceit — these are the values of the wicked, but not for followers of Jesus.
3). To remind us that this world is not our home. We are “citizens of heaven.” Holding onto earthly things too tightly blinds us to our true purpose and mission.
4). To remind us that deliverance and justice come from God, not from human systems. Political engagement is good, but we should not look to governments for ultimate justice. Only God can bring true and lasting justice.
Verses 2 through 6 describe the thought life of the wicked — they’re consumed with pride, arrogance, and deceit. Verses 7 through 10 then show the behaviors that arise from these wicked thoughts: oppression, violence, and hostility toward others.
Verse 11: The Boast of the Wicked
In verse eleven, we see that the wicked believe they can sin without repercussion, boasting that God doesn’t care or won’t see their deeds. It’s a telling picture of the world we live in, where many dismiss God’s concern or existence.
“He says to himself, ‘God has forgotten; He has hidden His face; He will never see it.’”
This is practical atheism — living as though God doesn’t see, doesn’t care, or doesn’t exist. The wicked live without accountability, believing their deeds are unnoticed. This is the attitude of much of the world today, and even in parts of the Church.
It seems to me that a great number of Christians have engaged their mental “auto-pilot” and are walking through life as if in a dream state. Nothing around them seems to rouse their curiosity nor their concern.
This world is not our home, but that does not mean that we should disengage from it and allow it to slip into an anti-Christian monstrosity of wickedness. What can we do as believers in Christ? We find the answers to that question next.
Verses 12-18: The Response of the Righteous
In the final verses, David provides a model for how the righteous should respond to wickedness. Here are seven actions we can take, based on these verses:
1). Ask God to act. (Verse 12) — “Arise, O Lord; lift up Your hand. Do not forget the afflicted.”
2). Understand that the wicked reject God, so they live only for pleasure and power. (Verse 13) — Recognize the mindset of those who live without God and understand their motivations.
3). Know that the poor in spirit will be saved. (Verse 14) — “You have been the helper of the orphan.” God hears and comforts those who seek Him humbly.
4). Proclaim that God will judge all evil. (Verse 15) — “Break the arm of the wicked.” Evil will be punished.
5). Declare God’s sovereignty. (Verse 16) — “The Lord is King forever and ever.” Even when we don’t see it, God is in control.
6). Trust that God strengthens and provides for His people. (Verse 17) — God is our comfort and strength, even in difficult times.
7). Be patient, knowing God will vindicate the righteous and bring justice to the wicked. (Verse 18) — “You will vindicate the orphan and the oppressed.”
Final Thoughts: The Call to Faithfulness
One of the most alarming facts related to church life today is the total lack of concern for the rapid, sudden rise of evil and hostility toward Christianity that we see today. You’d have to be blind not to see it. I believe the Church today is strategically placed to speak against this evil, but there’s a larger number that will not, because they’re blind to it or because they don’t want to offend the world. Here’s a news flash: the world is offended that you exist as a born-again Christian! The world, if they had their way, would lock you up as crazy.
Most churches are just not fulfilling their commission. I’ve previously addressed this as “Disneyland Christianity.” Psalm ten is David’s frank assessment of the wicked and the conditions of everyday life in Israel in his day. He could just as easily be talking about America today.
Brothers and sisters, we live in a time of growing darkness and opposition to the gospel. Psalm 10 reminds us that God sees, hears, and will act. Our mission is to remain faithful, proclaim the truth, and live lives that reflect the hope we have in Christ. God will bring justice in His time, and He calls us to stand firm, even when it seems like evil is prevailing.
Concluding Prayer
Father, we are grateful for this reminder from Psalm 10 that we live in a “foreign land,” spiritually speaking. Christians once had a powerful voice in America, but that day has passed. More times than not, Christians are mocked, ridiculed, and marginalized. In many instances we have brought those outcomes upon ourselves through our own failures to live up to the standard that we have been shown in Christ.
Father, please help us to love like Jesus loved, to be bold when speaking the truth like Jesus was, and in everything we do Lord, please help us to forget about ourselves, our reputation, our pride, and enable us to live and speak in ways that honor You and exalt the name of Jesus. For we ask this in His name, amen.
Dr. Mike Spaulding
P. O. Box 3007 • Lima, OH 45807
