When God Seems to "Hide His Face"

By Dr. Greg W. Parsons

When wickedness runs rampant in a society, it may challenge believers’ faith concerning the Lord’s character — especially His sovereignty or omnipresence. The psalmist asks, “Why, O Lord, do you seem far off?” and “Why do you hide yourself when trouble (wickedness) is rampant? (Psalm 10:1). This is similar to questions the prophet Habakkuk would ask later on when the Lord revealed His plans to bring the wicked Babylonians to punish the wicked in Judah (Hab. 1:3, 13-14).

In times of faith, the psalmist taught and believed that God was a strong refuge in times of trouble (Psalm 9:9) — a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). However, experiencing the chaos caused by the wicked sometimes resulted in frustration, disappointment and doubts (see Psalms 37 and 73). This was certainly reinforced by the blasphemous allegations of the wicked who claimed that there was essentially no God (Psalm 10:4). If He existed, He had deliberately forgotten His people and permanently “hidden His face” so as not to see what supposed wickedness was occurring (vs. 11).

Psalm 10 is a prayer for God to destroy the wicked with their scorn and haughtiness. As Allen P. Ross observed, verses 1-10 provide “an extensive description of the wicked in their prosperity (vs. 5), security (vs. 6), insolence (vs. 4, 11), deceit (vs. 7) and violence (vs. 8–10).” Then “the psalmist appeals to the Lord, the sovereign King, to deliver the oppressed by destroying the wicked (vs. 12-18).”

Reading this Psalm is much like a commentary on our modern world! It could be a depressing reminder of our own difficulties and faith challenges. The wicked suppress the truth they have of God, believing lies while worshiping and serving the creature rather than the Creator (Rom. 1:18–25). God’s “judgments” or standards and those who espouse them are mocked as irrelevant and impotent as “god” himself. Philip Eveson writes: “Any who felt strong enough to counterattack the wicked are treated with disdain — ‘he sneers at them’ (vs. 5), and he rests secure in his positive thinking — ‘I shall not be moved…’ (vs. 6). His speech gives expression to his whole attitude (vs. 7).”

However, let’s not forget to consider the whole Psalm (especially verses 12-18) and other key verses, including prophecies of Messiah’s coming rule to subdue all wickedness (Psalm 72:8-14).

• Lament (or complaint) over God ignoring rampant wickedness (vv. 1-11) — In verse 1, the psalmist asks the Lord not to hide Himself or be afar off, i.e., not ignore his plight in the face of unbridled wickedness. In Psalm 55:1, the psalmist David, betrayed by a friend, appealed to the Lord not to hide His face by ignoring his prayers. In Messianic Psalm 22, David protested why God had forsaken him (vs.1) and asked Him not to be afar off (vs. 11, 19). Yet in faith, as he foreshadowed Jesus, who would quote Psalm 22:1 during his crucifixion, the psalmist believed that God had not hidden His face from him (vs. 24). However, in Psalm 10, a pandemic of wickedness had brought confusion.

Do you sometimes struggle when prayers are seemingly not answered? Are you discouraged by how much wickedness has taken over our country and the world? If so, pay attention to the inspired writer in Psalm 10.

Some root issues are the pride or haughtiness of the wicked (vs. 2, 4), which originate in a depraved heart (vs. 3-4). Their wicked hearts spew forth blasphemy, spurning or showing utter contempt for the Lord (vs. 3, 13). Such a blasphemous mindset produces a mouth full of cursing and deceit (lies) (vs. 7) and oppression of others (vs. 7-10). Since he/she does not believe in God (vs. 4), such fools (Psalms 14:1; 53:1) claim that if god exists, he has ignored any alleged wickedness, hiding his face in unconcern (vs. 11). Can you identify with this scenario?

• Prayer and confidence for God’s intervention (vv. 12-18) — One characteristic of lament psalms is honest questioning: “Why?” or “how long, O Lord?” Also, there may be prayer for God to wake up, arise into action and deal with the wicked (Psalm 44:23-24; also 74:1, 10-11, 22; cf. 9:19). Similarly, note 10:12 the urgent cry for God to “arise” and do something and not to forget the afflicted (Psalm 10:12). Verse 13 is a reaffirming question “why?” do the wicked blaspheme and mock God, denying His existence or omnipresence or ability to act. Then perhaps recollecting his own teachings (Psalm 9:12, 16-18), a spark of faith ignites renewed confidence in God so that he asserts that the Lord is indeed sovereign King (Psalm 10:16). The Lord has certainly observed injustice and will require judgment (Psalm 10:14). So, the Psalmist urges the Lord to break the oppressor’s arm (Psalm 10:15). Thank the Lord that the psalmist’s confidence in God to hear the prayers of the oppressed was not in vain. Indeed, He will vindicate them by executing judgment (Psalm 10:17-18; also Psalm 9:8, 16).

Because of Christ’s death on the cross and powerful resurrection, “the enemy’s power was broken... but we must wait till the end-time judgment day for the eradication of all evil... Christians in many countries are being tortured and killed because of their Christian profession. Why does God not act to stop such cruelty to His defenseless people? Psalm 10 encourages us to trust the Lord and remember there is a day of reckoning” (Eveson). In the future time of Great Tribulation, when the Lord opens the fifth seal, martyred believers will cry out under the altar in Heaven (Rev. 6:10 ESV): “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then the very next opened seal answers that prayer in the great Day of God’s wrath upon the wicked oppressors of the earth (6:12-17).

Apparently, by their actions and deceptive words, some blasphemous commentators and political leaders today believe that even if a god exists, he “hides his face” in unconcern, impotence and/or senility. Let’s pray for them to repent and trust the Lord Jesus as sovereign King! Furthermore, let’s vote for leaders who trust in the Lord or at least promote biblical and pro-family values. Certainly, let’s pray for our country and participate in the political process while recognizing that the only ultimate solution is trusting in the Lord as we await His return!