Psalms 10:12 - Exposition

Arise, O Lord (comp. Psalms 9:19 ). At this point the psalmist passes from description to invocation. From Psalms 10:2 to the end of Psalms 10:11 he has described the conduct, the temper, and the very inmost thoughts of the wicked. Now he addresses himself to God—he summons God to arise to vengeance. As Hengetenberg says, "Here the second part begins—prayer, springing out of the lamentation which has preceded;" prayer and invocation, beginning here, and terminating at the close of Psalms 10:15 . O God, lift up thine hand; i.e. to strike, to take vengeance on the wicked. Forget not the humble; or, the afflicted. Do not justify the hidden thought of the wicked ( Psalms 10:11 ), that thou forgettest—show that thou rememberest at once the sufferings of the afflicted, and the guilt of their oppressors.