How does Psalm 10:12 encourage us to trust in God's justice today? Setting the Scene Psalm 10 opens with the psalmist troubled by the apparent triumph of the wicked. Verse 12 becomes the turning point: “Arise, O LORD! Lift up Your hand, O God. Do not forget the afflicted.” The Cry: “Arise, O LORD!” • “Arise” is a literal call for God to stand up and take action, rooted in Israel’s history of divine intervention (Exodus 14:13–14). • The psalmist assumes God’s justice is sure; he simply urges its visible display. • Because Scripture records countless times God has “arisen” for His people, believers today can rely on the same unchanging character (Malachi 3:6). The Assurance: God Lifts His Hand • “Lift up Your hand” pictures decisive power. In biblical language, God’s “hand” symbolizes both might and deliverance (Isaiah 41:10). • The plea implies certainty that God’s power is already poised; trust grows by remembering His past acts (Psalm 77:11-12). • God’s justice flows from His holy nature: “All His ways are justice; a God of faithfulness without injustice” (Deuteronomy 32:4). The Implication: He Does Not Forget • “Do not forget the afflicted” reflects confidence that God sees every injustice; He is omniscient (Proverbs 15:3). • The literal affirmation that God “remembers” means He will act according to covenant promise (Genesis 8:1; Exodus 2:24-25). • Christ fulfills this assurance, bearing injustice on the cross and guaranteeing final vindication (1 Peter 2:23). Living It Today • Hold to God’s timetable: justice may appear delayed, but it is never denied (2 Peter 3:9). • Pray boldly with the language of Psalm 10:12, confident that Scripture invites such appeals (Hebrews 4:16). • Refuse despair; God’s justice equips believers to endure evil without taking revenge (Romans 12:19). • Stand with the afflicted, mirroring God’s heart for the oppressed (Proverbs 31:8-9). Supporting Passages that Echo Psalm 10:12 • Psalm 9:7-8 — God “has established His throne for judgment.” • Habakkuk 1:13 — His eyes are “too pure to look on evil.” • Revelation 6:10 — Saints in heaven cry, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until You judge …?” • Isaiah 30:18 — “The LORD longs to be gracious … for the LORD is a God of justice.” Strengthened Confidence in His Justice Psalm 10:12 invites trust in a God who rises, acts, and never forgets. Remembering His faithful record and resting in His unchanging promises empower believers to face today’s injustices with steadfast hope. |
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