Psalms 10:17

Psalm 10:17 expresses a profound declaration of faith and trust in God’s attentiveness to the oppressed and humble. Amidst the psalmist's lament over the prevalence of the wicked, this verse pivots to a confident affirmation of God's character as a hearer and responder to the prayers of those who humble themselves before Him.

Context

Psalm 10 is a passionate plea to God regarding the unchecked arrogance and oppression of the wicked, who seem to prosper while the poor and afflicted suffer. The psalmist questions God's apparent distance (Psalm 10:1) but ultimately resolves in faith that God sees, hears, and will act. Verse 17 marks a significant shift from complaint and description of evil to an assurance of divine intervention and justice, emphasizing God's active role in the affairs of the humble.

Key Themes

• God's Attentiveness to the Humble: The core message is that God hears the deepest desires and cries of those who are lowly, meek, and afflicted. This contrasts sharply with the wicked, whose pride often prevents them from seeking God, as God "resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).
• Divine Preparation of the Heart: The phrase "thou wilt prepare their heart" speaks to God's active work within believers. It suggests that God not only listens but also enables and disposes the heart to pray rightly or to receive His answers, aligning their desires with His will. This divine enablement ensures that their prayers are not in vain.
• Assurance of God's Hearing: The repetition, "thou wilt cause thine ear to hear," powerfully reinforces the certainty of God's responsiveness. It is a promise that despite the world's chaos or feelings of abandonment, God remains intimately involved and attentive to the cries of His people.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "humble" here is anavim (עֲנָוִים), which often describes not just a lack of pride, but those who are afflicted, oppressed, or lowly. In the context of Psalm 10, these are the victims of the wicked's schemes. God's special attention to the anavim highlights His justice and compassion for the vulnerable.

The phrase "prepare their heart" (תָּכִין לִבָּם - takin libbam) implies to establish, make firm, or make ready. It suggests God is actively involved in shaping the inner disposition of the humble, making them receptive to His will and empowering their prayers. This divine work on the heart is crucial for effective prayer and spiritual growth, as seen in Proverbs 16:1: "The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD."

Practical Application

Psalm 10:17 offers immense comfort and encouragement for believers today:

• Pray with Humility and Trust: This verse invites us to approach God with a humble spirit, knowing that He is uniquely attuned to such prayers. It encourages us to lay our desires before Him, confident that He hears and cares, as echoed in 1 John 5:14.
• God's Active Involvement: It reminds us that God is not a passive listener but actively works within our hearts, preparing us to pray according to His will and to receive His answers. This understanding can deepen our prayer life, knowing that He is enabling us.
• Hope for the Oppressed: For those facing injustice or hardship, this verse is a beacon of hope. It reaffirms that God sees their affliction and hears their cries, promising that His ear is open to their humble petitions, even when human ears are deaf or indifferent.