HYMN: Why Stand You, Lord, So Far Away

Psalm 10 feels a little bit heavier than the Psalms I’d worked on previously. A large part of that is that the adversary about whom David prays seems so powerful and almost cavalier in his cruelty. David goes on and on about how he’s boastful and cruel, mocking his prey and even God Himself. Almost the whole Psalm is about the foe. It seemed unbalanced to me, at least compared to other Psalms where David pleads for help from God to overcome an oppressor. Trying to shape his words into my own, with rhyme and meter, I struggled to match his feeling—not because I couldn’t relate, but precisely because I know the feeling all too well. The last year in particular, or 18 months to be more precise, it’s felt like I’ve been battered on all sides and sabotaged by people who sought my downfall, who delighted to attack, even threatening my family in their work to rob me of my livelihood and vocation. “Where have you been, God?” has passed my mind and my mouth more than once. I know the answer, but I’m still a sinner and don’t always appreciate it. 

Anyway, here is Psalm 10. (Yes, I know I skipped 9. I’m rebelling. *wink*) For now I’ve settled on the tune ST. LUKE, which is paired with “‘As Surely as I Live,’ God Said,” hymn 614 in Lutheran Service Book. 

Feedback is love. 

Why Stand You, Lord, So Far Away

Why stand You, Lord, so far away?

Why hide Your face when trouble nears?

The wicked treats the poor as prey

And revels in their anguished tears.

He boasts aloud of faithless greed.

He mocks my God with pagan pride.

He pays Your righteous Word no heed

And from Your judgments turns aside.

He prospers in His evil ways.

He sneers and mocks his enemy.

His haughty cry: "For all my days

I shall not face adversity."

His mouth is full of vile deceit.

He lurks and schemes, a deadly snare

To force the humble to his feet, 

For "God forgot. He gives no care."

Arise, O Lord! Lift up Your hand!

And set at naught Your foe defiled.

But make the helpless strong to stand.

Give ear to hear Your humble child.

The Lord is King through endless days.

Who trains His ear to hear our prayer.

Prepare our hearts to sing Your praise,

For by Your grace we need not fear.

LM (88 88)

ST. LUKE (LSB 614)

Psalm 10