1/5/25 Weekly Bible Lesson: The Lord is King

Background of Text — Why do the wicked prosper when the godly suffer? Where is God? Why does He allow this to happen? These questions have long been the feeling of those who live for the Lord. In fact, Job asked centuries ago, “Why do the wicked continue to live, growing old and becoming powerful?” (Job 21:7). Still today, the righteous of God feel frustrated and abandoned by God. Some things do not change! 

In Psalm 10:1-11, the psalmist’s feelings seem very contemporary: “Lord, why do you stand so far away? … Why do you hide in times of trouble? … the wicked person arrogantly thinks, ‘There’s no accountability, since there’s no God’ … he says to himself, ‘God has forgotten; He hides His face and will never see.’” 

If the righteous child of God is not careful, the feelings of abandonment and helplessness will overwhelm even the strongest of faith. The first half of Psalm 10 shows what that will look like, but thankfully the psalmist does not remain in the state of disillusion; truth will win the day! 

Verses 12-13 

This section begins with a prayer: “Rise up!” The psalmist is confident God can rescue. Christians today can continue to ask the Lord to spring into action because we know He is certainly capable. He is Lord over all and not only has all power to create but also to judge. The psalmist also prays that God will remember the oppressed. Throughout the Old Testament Scriptures, we see God is concerned about the downtrodden. As Christians today, we must have the same heart as the Lord, caring for those whom the world chooses to abuse. Because the psalmist is keenly aware of God’s character, he is confident they will not be forgotten. 

In verse 13, another question is asked, “Why has the wicked person despised God?” The reality is the wicked despise the Almighty because they want to make themselves god. Throughout history, humanity has longed to make themselves king, so there is hatred against the one true King. Ultimate truth is always hated by those who long to make themselves primary over their lives. 

Verse 14 

One of the best sources of confidence for the righteous is to look back and observe what the Lord has done in the past. We can entrust ourselves to the helper of the orphan because He is always the same. Thus, we can be confident if God rescued His people in the past, He will do so now. It is such an encouragement to know nothing that happens in our life surprises God. While we are tempted to believe wickedness has never been as bad as it is today, a study of God’s Word and history quickly proves evil has always been terrible. Yet nothing the wicked do will ever shake God’s rule. 

Verse 15 

This seems like a cruel thing for God’s people to pray for until we understand the heart behind the prayer. The psalmist is begging God to break the power of wickedness. Do we not read Revelation 20:10, “The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever,” with upbeat optimism? However, it must be remembered this victory over evil is for the Lord alone. While we long for this triumph, it is not our place to bring it. The Christian’s responsibility is to let God be the judge and to bring as many who are currently deceived by evil into the Kingdom of God. 

Verse 16 

The proclamation, “The Lord is King forever and ever” is a statement of fact but also a declaration of praise. The psalmist puts his perceptions and feelings behind, focusing on the truth that has always been, whether humanity is willing to believe it or not. With so much talk about “personal truth,” it is easy to get caught up in the lies of the world. God was king when He commanded creation, including humans, to be made, and He is still king. We do not need to argue with false claims, we need simply to worship Him for who He truly is: The King of kings and Lord of lords! 

Verses 17-18 

Praise continues in the resolution of the psalm. The psalmist trusts God that hears the cries of the broken, and He encourages them. One way we are encouraged is to remember that even the wicked are only “from the earth.” Even the most wicked human beings are eventually returned to dust. Evil may feel like it is a power that will never be conquered, but Satan and his wicked human agents will never have that power. Therefore, we can praise God because He is greater than the one who is in the world (see 1 John 4:4)! 

Application 

God is King, and we must bow our knee to His lordship. Rather than allowing feelings to overwhelm us to defeat, we must trust in the One who has always won the victory. The world will lie to us, but we must trust our King and His Word. The real question is who do we listen to the most … our feelings, the wicked, our struggles? Or will we set them aside to know the truth based on God’s strength and faithfulness of the past? May we never lose heart that the Lord will make all things right and will always be THE KING!