Psalm 10 (9):13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Now, recognizing the evident judgment and ultimate victory over it, they question, Why has the evildoer provoked the Lord? (Psalms 9:34); in other words, what benefit can he gain from committing such a profound wrongdoing? For he has declared in his heart, 'He will not hold me accountable.'

What is the purpose of God regarding the wicked? The prophet, deeply troubled by such audacity, expresses his thoughts in the form of a question. He then finds clarity in his confusion by responding with, ‘He saith, Speak thou in his heart, He will not exact it.’ Here, he indicates the root of the wickedness found in the wicked: they believed within themselves that God would not hold them accountable for their disgraceful actions.

God's remembrance will reveal that the one he believed was forgotten actually remembers him. The individual who once thought that his numerous transgressions would go unnoticed will come to understand that they will be taken into account without exception.

He reiterates the reason the unrighteous provoke God's wrath: they believe that He will not eradicate their transgressions. Consequently, it seems as if the prophet is urging God to act with prompt retribution. While it may be imprudent to appeal to God based on rationales, He permits us to express ourselves openly in prayer, just as a father does with his children. David similarly engages in this practice, offering multiple arguments as to why the wicked should be seen with contempt by God and endure without retribution.

The adversary provoked the Lord, enticing humanity towards idolatry with his allure, contemplating, ‘No deity seeks out the lost nor does He pursue justice for wrongdoing’ (Athanasius, Theodoret). The Pharisees and Sadducees, filled with resentment, rejected the miracle of the Resurrection, to the point where they sought to harm Lazarus, who had risen from the dead. Nevertheless, the Lord directed him to Cyprus, where he became a bishop. Presently, the Pharisees await the Messiah, lacking in divine authority, as they seek a ruler of the world.