he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.
When you see fraud and violence running wild, when wicked men prosper and fear nothing, do not think yourself alone in this trial. David faced it; the patriarchs faced it. Look into this mirror and be comforted that the Church has always wrestled with such darkness. But do not merely complain to the air, go to God, for only He can remedy such disorder.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 10:1-18
The picture becomes blacker, for here is the cunning of the lion, and of the huntsman, as well as the stealthiness of the robber. Surely there are some men who come up to the very letter of this description. With watching, perversion, slander, whispering, and false swearing, they ruin the character of the righteous, and murder the innocent; or, with legal quibbles, mortgages, bonds, writs...
God's withdrawings are grievous to His people, but most acutely in times of trouble. We complain He stands afar off, yet it is we who stand afar off from Him by unbelief and judge by outward appearance. When you speak of wicked men's badness, speak it to God in prayer, for He alone can make them better; vain invectives hurt more than they help.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 10:1-11