Psalm 10 – Why Are You Far Away?

 February 6, 2024

The psalmist asks God a question that has been asked again and again over the centuries, Psalm 10 – why are you far away? Another question asked in Psalm 10 is why does evil prevail? How does Psalm 10 answer these questions?

Psalm 10

Psalm 10 begins by asking why God is far away.

“Why, Lord, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (1)

A common question for many who pray yet do not hear an answer. The writer goes on to talk about the wicked man.

“In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak,
who are caught in the schemes he devises.
He boasts about the cravings of his heart;
he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.
In his pride the wicked man does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” (2-4)

And yet, his ways are successful – “His ways are always prosperous.” (5)

The writer continues his complaints about the wicked, comparing him to a lion, hunting the helpless:

“His mouth is full of lies and threats;
trouble and evil are under his tongue.
He lies in wait near the villages;
from ambush he murders the innocent.
His eyes watch in secret for his victims;
like a lion in cover he lies in wait.
He lies in wait to catch the helpless;
he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.
His victims are crushed, they collapse;
they fall under his strength.” (7-10)

Then the wicked claim, “God will never notice;
he covers his face and never sees.” (11)

The psalm ends by asserting that God is aware of the cries of his people:

“But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
you consider their grief and take it in hand.” (14)

“You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.” (17)

We are reminded that “The Lord is King for ever and ever.” (16a)

Why Does Evil Prevail?

The writer of Psalm 10 colorfully describes the ways of the wicked. They lie, are full of false pride, are boastful, and hurt the weak. But perhaps most important, the wicked taunt God, claiming that God doesn’t notice their sins. In their pride “there is no room for God.”

The words, written thousands of years ago, could have been written today. This speaks of the prevalence of lies and false pride throughout history. Throughout the ages people have asked why evil prevails in this world. This is at the heart of the book of Job. God allows Satan to have free reign over the world, taking away all that Job has and even attacking his body. But we don’t get an answer beyond that.

Psalm 10 doesn’t answer the question. The writer simply asserts that God does hear the cries of God’s people. We are not told why God allows so much evil, just that God hears us when we cry out to God.

Psalm 10 – Why Are You Far Away?

Asking, why are you far away, or where is God when we are suffering, is a common spiritual question. When we are hurting, we question: does God loves us? If God loves us, then why doesn’t God help us? Why don’t we feel God’s presence?

A response sometimes posed by people when asked this question is, “if God seems far away, who moved? You or God?” It could be that we have moved away from God, and that is why God appears to be far away. Perhaps we have stopped praying or have been acting in ways that are unkind and not in keeping with God’s will. Or not. Perhaps neither of us have moved. Perhaps God is drawing even closer to us through our suffering and the darkness.

God’s light is too bright for us to see. Sometimes when God seems far away it is because God is as close as our every breath. God is beating with our heart, feeling our pain.

God is Present

In the end, Psalm 10 reminds us that God hears us, God is present. God is not far away, nor a distant God that doesn’t listen to his people.

In this world, sometimes evil prevails, but it doesn’t have the final word. The final word is the word made flesh, our God who chose to become a man and dwell among us. Even when God may feel far away, our God is with us, as close as our heart.

Has God ever seemed far away to you? What happened? I would love to hear your story.

This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and and receive a free copy of  Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series.      click here to sign up

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