---
title: "Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 5"
author: "John Calvin"
translator: "James Anderson"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 37 of 159
url: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/37/
cite: "John Calvin, tr. James Anderson, Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 5, section 37. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/37/"
---

# Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 5

*John Calvin, tr. James Anderson*

Calvin on the Psalms, volume 5 of 5.

## 37. Psalm 10

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/37/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/37/#p-N

[¶0] 1 Why, O Jehovah! standest thou afar off? And winkest at seasonable times in trouble?

[¶1] 2 In his pride the ungodly doth persecute the poor; Let them be caught in the devices which they imagine.

[¶2] 3 For praise himself doth the ungodly on account of the desire of his own soul; And the violent man blesseth himself: He despiseth Jehovah.

[¶3] 4 The ungodly, in the pride of his countenance doth not inquire; All his devices say, “There is not a God.”

[¶4] 5 Prosperous are his ways at all times; High are thy judgments before him; At all his enemies he puffeth.

[¶5] 6 He saith in his heart, “I shall not be moved from generation to generation,” Because he is not in adversity,

[¶6] 7 Of cursing his mouth is full, and of deceit, and of malice: Under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.

[¶7] 8 He will sit in the ensnaring places of the villages; In his lurking places will he murder the innocent: His eyes against the poor will take their aim.

[¶8] 9 He will lie in wait in secret, as a lion in his den; He will lie in wait to catch the poor; He will catch the poor by drawing him into his net.

[¶9] 10 He will crouch low, he will cast himself down; Then shall fall by his strengths an army of the afflicted.

[¶10] 11 He hath said in his heart, “Forgotten it hath God; “He hideth his face, that he may not see it for ever.”

[¶11] 12 Arise, O Jehovah, God! lift up thy hand: Do not forget the poor.

[¶12] 13 Why do the wicked despise God? He saith in his heart, “Thou wilt not require it.”

[¶13] 14 Thou hast seen it; For mischief and oppression thou considerest, That thou mayest take them into thy own hand: Upon thee shall the poor leave; To the orphan thou wilt be an helper.

[¶14] 15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man; Thou shalt seek his wickedness, and shalt not find it.

[¶15] 16 Jehovah is King for ever and ever; Perished are the heathen out of his land.

[¶16] 17 The desire of the needy thou hast heard, O Jehovah! Thou wilt direct their heart; Hear shall thine car:

[¶17] 18 That thou mayest judge the fatherless and the poor, That the man who is of earth may terrify no more.