Psalms 10:12

KJV

¶ Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.

KJV (with Strong's)

Arise {H6965}, O LORD {H3068}; O God {H410}, lift up {H5375} thine hand {H3027}: forget {H7911} not the humble {H6035}{H6041}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Arise, ADONAI! God, raise your hand! Don't forget the humble!

Berean Standard Bible

Arise, O LORD! Lift up Your hand, O God! Do not forget the helpless.

American Standard Version

Arise, O Jehovah; O God, lift up thy hand: Forget not the poor.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 10:12 is a fervent and pivotal prayer within a psalm of lament, where the psalmist appeals directly to God to break His apparent silence and intervene decisively against the rampant injustice perpetrated by the wicked. Having observed the arrogance and oppression of those who believe God is indifferent or absent, the psalmist passionately pleads for the Lord to "arise" and "lift up His hand," demonstrating His sovereign power and, crucially, remembering and acting on behalf of the humble and afflicted who suffer under the weight of this evil.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 10 stands as a passionate lament, deeply intertwined with Psalm 9, forming a thematic pair that contrasts the wicked's apparent triumph with the psalmist's unwavering trust in God's ultimate justice. The preceding verses (Psalm 10:1-11) vividly describe the wicked's character and actions: their pride, greed, violence, and their self-deceptive belief that God "will not call them to account" or "has forgotten" the oppressed. The psalmist expresses profound distress over God's seeming inaction, asking, "Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" [Psalm 10:1](/psalms/10-1 "Psalm 10:1 - A Cry for Divine Presence"). Verse 12 marks a critical turning point, shifting from observation and lament to a direct, urgent, and imperative plea for divine intervention, signaling a renewed hope and conviction that God will indeed act.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this psalm reflects a common societal challenge in ancient Israel: the struggle of the righteous poor and vulnerable against the powerful and oppressive wicked. In a society where justice was ideally administered by elders and judges, the absence of divine or human intervention left the "humble" (often referring to the poor, orphans, widows, and sojourners—those without social or economic power) exposed to exploitation. The psalmist's cry for God to "arise" and "lift up His hand" is rooted in a cultural understanding of God as the ultimate King and Judge, who is expected to defend the defenseless and execute justice on earth. This plea echoes the covenantal promises where God explicitly identifies with the cause of the oppressed, as seen in laws protecting the vulnerable throughout [the Pentateuch](/exodus/22 "Exodus 22 - Laws Concerning Social Justice").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several core themes of the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Intervention**, a desperate longing for God to cease His perceived inactivity and manifest His sovereign power against injustice. This echoes the ancient prayer of Moses, "[Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered!](/numbers/10-35 "Numbers 10:35 - Moses' Prayer for God's Presence")". Secondly, it highlights **God's Justice for the Oppressed**, emphasizing His character as the defender of the weak, the poor, and those who are exploited. The petition "forget not the humble" is a profound affirmation of God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, especially those in distress, reflecting His promise to "[maintain the cause of the afflicted](/psalms/9-18 "Psalm 9:18 - God Remembers the Afflicted")". Lastly, it expresses **Trust in God's Righteousness**, even when circumstances suggest otherwise. Despite the overwhelming evidence of wickedness prospering, the psalmist clings to the conviction that God is inherently righteous and will ultimately bring judgment and vindication, demonstrating that God is not silent forever but will indeed "[lift up His hand](/exodus/3-20 "Exodus 3:20 - God's Mighty Hand in Exodus")" in power.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Arise (Hebrew, _qum'_):** This is an imperative verb, a direct command or urgent plea for God to stand up and take decisive action. It signifies a powerful and sudden intervention, a transition from a state of perceived rest or inaction to active engagement. In the context of a lament, it expresses the psalmist's desperate desire for God to manifest His presence and power against the oppressors.
* **Lift up thine hand (Hebrew, נָשָׂא יָדְךָ, _nasa yadkha'_):** This is a powerful anthropomorphism, attributing a human action (lifting a hand) to God to convey His display of strength, authority, and often, judgment or deliverance. It implies an act of divine power, a demonstration of might, similar to the "mighty hand" of God that brought Israel out of Egypt. It suggests a visible and decisive act of intervention, perhaps to strike down the wicked or to uphold the righteous.
* **Humble (Hebrew, עֲנָוִים, _anavim'_):** This term refers to the afflicted, the lowly, the poor, the meek, or the oppressed. It often carries the connotation of those who are pious and trusting in God despite their difficult circumstances and who suffer injustice. The psalmist pleads for God to specifically remember and act on behalf of these vulnerable ones, contrasting them sharply with the arrogant and self-sufficient wicked described earlier in the chapter.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Arise, O LORD;":** This is a direct, urgent imperative, a passionate cry for God to rouse Himself from what appears to be a state of detachment or inaction. It signifies a longing for God to become visibly active in human affairs, to stand up as a warrior or judge on behalf of His people.
* **"O God, lift up thine hand:":** This phrase intensifies the plea for divine action, employing a vivid anthropomorphism. "Lifting up the hand" denotes a display of power, authority, and often, the readiness to strike or to deliver. It is a request for God to demonstrate His might and intervene decisively, either in judgment against the wicked or in deliverance for the oppressed.
* **"forget not the humble.":** This is the core of the petition, revealing the psalmist's deep concern for the vulnerable. It's not that God literally forgets, but rather that His apparent inaction feels like forgetfulness to those suffering. This plea is a desperate appeal for God to remember His covenant character as the defender of the poor and afflicted, and to act on their behalf, vindicating their cause against their oppressors.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 10:12 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Imperative Mood**, seen in "Arise" and "lift up," which transforms the lament from mere complaint into a direct, urgent, and bold petition to God. This reflects the psalmist's conviction that God is not only capable but also morally obligated to act. **Anthropomorphism** is powerfully used in "lift up thine hand," attributing a human limb and action to God to convey His active power and imminent intervention. This makes God's potential action more tangible and relatable. The verse also features a form of **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where "Arise, O LORD" is echoed and intensified by "O God, lift up thine hand," reinforcing the plea for divine action. Furthermore, the entire psalm, including this verse, functions as a **Lament**, a genre of prayer that expresses sorrow, complaint, and a plea for help, often concluding with an expression of trust or hope, which this verse strongly embodies.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a profound theological statement on God's character and His relationship with humanity, particularly the suffering. It asserts that despite appearances of divine silence or absence, God is ultimately an active, righteous, and compassionate Judge who hears the cries of the oppressed. The psalmist's bold plea is rooted in a deep faith that God's justice is not merely an abstract concept but a dynamic force that will ultimately prevail against all forms of human wickedness. It underscores the biblical truth that God identifies with the humble and the afflicted, and their cause is His cause. This passionate appeal for God to "arise" and "lift up His hand" is a testament to the enduring hope that divine intervention is not only possible but promised for those who trust in Him.

* [Psalm 9:18](/psalms/9-18 "Psalm 9:18 - God's Remembrance of the Needy") - "For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever."
* [Isaiah 41:17](/isaiah/41-17 "Isaiah 41:17 - God Helps the Poor and Needy") - "When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them."
* [James 1:27](/james/1-27 "James 1:27 - Pure and Undefiled Religion") - "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 10:12 offers profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us that even in the face of overwhelming injustice and the apparent prosperity of the wicked, our God is not distant or indifferent. It empowers us to pray boldly and persistently for justice, knowing that our cries are heard by a God who champions the cause of the humble. This verse challenges us to cultivate a faith that trusts in God's active sovereignty, even when His intervention seems delayed or His hand unseen. It calls us to align our hearts with God's, developing a deep empathy for the oppressed and vulnerable in our world. As followers of Christ, we are not merely to observe injustice but to become instruments of God's justice, advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves, offering practical help, and speaking truth to power, all while maintaining an unwavering hope in God's ultimate vindication.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the psalmist's bold prayer encourage you to be more direct and honest in your own prayers for justice?**
* **In what areas of your life or the world do you observe injustice, and how might Psalms 10:12 inspire you to act or pray differently?**
* **What does it mean to "forget not the humble" in a practical sense, both for God and for us as His people?**
* **How do you reconcile God's apparent silence or delay in justice with His character as an active and righteous God?**

### FAQ
**Why does the psalmist ask God to "arise" and "lift up His hand" if God is always active?**

Answer: The psalmist's plea for God to "arise" and "lift up His hand" is not an indication that God is literally dormant or inactive. Rather, it reflects the psalmist's *perception* of God's apparent inactivity in the face of rampant injustice and the suffering of the humble. From a human perspective, when the wicked seem to prosper unchecked and the oppressed continue to suffer, it can feel as though God is distant or indifferent. This language is a passionate, anthropomorphic expression of a desperate longing for God to make His presence and power visibly known in a decisive act of judgment and deliverance. It's a prayer for God to move from a state of perceived hiddenness or silence to an undeniable demonstration of His sovereign will, much like when Moses prayed, "[Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered!](/numbers/10-35 "Numbers 10:35 - Moses' Prayer for God's Presence")" when the ark set out. It's a cry for God to intervene in a way that is unmistakably divine and brings about justice for the afflicted.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 10:12 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The psalmist's desperate plea for God to "arise" and "lift up His hand" is answered definitively in the resurrection of Christ, where God powerfully "arose" from the dead, demonstrating His supreme authority over sin, death, and all evil. Jesus Himself embodies the "humble" for whom the psalmist prayed, as He consistently identified with the poor, the meek, and the oppressed, declaring His mission to "[preach good news to the poor... to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement")". He is the righteous King who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many, becoming the ultimate sacrifice for the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")". Furthermore, the prayer for God to "lift up His hand" in judgment and deliverance points forward to Christ's second coming, when He will return in glory, not only to vindicate His humble followers but also to execute perfect justice upon all wickedness, finally establishing His eternal kingdom where "[righteousness and justice will be the belt around his waist](/isaiah/11-5 "Isaiah 11:5 - The Righteous Reign of the Messiah")" and "[He will wipe away every tear from their eyes](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears in the New Creation")". Thus, Christ is both the humble one for whom God acts and the divine agent through whom God perfectly fulfills His promise to remember and defend the oppressed.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Micah 5:9

Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.

Psalms 9:12

When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

Isaiah 33:10

Now will I rise, saith the LORD; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself.

Psalms 17:7

Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust [in thee] from those that rise up [against them].

Psalms 94:2

Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.

Isaiah 26:11

LORD, [when] thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: [but] they shall see, and be ashamed for [their] envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.

Psalms 7:6

Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me [to] the judgment [that] thou hast commanded.