9-6-06 Psalms 10:8, 9

Psalms 10:8, 9 (KJ21)
He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages; in secret places doth he murder the innocent; his eyes are privily set against the poor.He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den; he lieth in wait to catch the poor; he doth catch the poor when he draweth him into his net.

Psalms 10:8, 9 (NAS)
He sits in the lurking places of the villages; In the hiding places he kills the innocent; His eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate.He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his lair; He lurks to catch the afflicted; He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net.

Psalms 10:8, 9 (NIVUS)
He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims. He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.

Psalms 10:8, 9 (NLT)
They lurk in dark alleys, murdering the innocent who pass by. They are always searching for some helpless victim. Like lions they crouch silently, waiting to pounce on the helpless. Like hunters they capture their victims and drag them away in nets.

Have you ever walked down a street and your skin began to crawl? You could feel fear trying to overtake your mind and you knew that there was evil lurking in the dark places, waiting to ambush you. Perhaps it seemed as if the place was haunted.

During the day this street may be a part of a quaint hamlet or village, but at night the children of darkness inhabit it. They wait in secret to kill, steal from, and destroy those who are innocent and blameless. These evil ones aim to smite others with deadly intent. They always keep their eyes open, looking for a way to come against those who are unhappy, wretched, unfortunate and poor. As a lion, they lie in wait to pluck them off, like they would pluck and gather grapes from the vine. They covertly hide in a thicket , screened by a hedge to catch and seize upon the weak, afflicted, and needy. They then drag them away into their net.

You do not need to be concerned about those who go about as lurking lions. They do not have the power to ensnare or trap you. Even if you are weak, the Lord God is your defense and champion. He will protect you from those who only have evil in their hearts. As you draw near to Him, He will give you the strength and power to resist the wicked.