Psalm 10: A Prayer of Helplessness
HELPLESSNESS. IT IS an experience shared by everyone. There is no way out. There are no alternatives. It is an experience full of fear, rage and despair. Because our culture places such a high value on individualism and self-reliance, the experience of helplessness is full of shame for us. We expect that others will blame us for letting it happen. And we end up blaming ourselves. In times of helplessness, however, shame and blame are not helpful. What might be helpful is to know that God understands helplessness and that he hears our prayers.
Warming Up to God
Recall a time when you felt helpless. Picture God in that situation with you as your protector and defender. How does that make you feel?
Read Psalm 10. »
Discovering the Word
- The prayer begins with the question "Why, God, do you hide yourself?" Why is this such an urgent question when you are feeling helpless?
- How does the author describe the person who is attacking him (vv. 3-11)?
- What is the attitude of the wicked person toward God (vv. 3-4, 11)?
- How does the writer describe the victim (vv. 2, 10, 14)?
- How does the writer describe God and his actions on behalf of people who have been abused (vv. 12, 14-18)?
Applying the Word
- Notice the author's various perspectives of God. The prayer begins with an absent God: "Where are you, God?" In the middle the author risks asking God to respond on his behalf: "Arise, Lord!" The prayer ends with praise to the God who hears and defends the oppressed. Which of these perspectives of God have you experienced?
- When you feel helpless, how would it help you if you experienced God as acting on your behalf?
Responding in Prayer
How would you like God to respond to your feelings of helplessness?
For Further Study
Too Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels