The Seeker's Network

He Lies in Wait

8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. 9 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. 10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. 11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.


One might wonder why a man would lie in wait to rob and murder the poor. Perhaps, it is because they do not have the defenses around them that the wealthy person might have. In those days a wealthy man would travel with a host of servants and armed guards. He was not so easily attacked. The poor, however, often walked alone, carrying their goods to market or to their homes, along very dangerous roads. The Arabs liked to hide among the rocks and take the lonely traveler by surprise.

The situation is not much different today. The rich and famous travel with their entourage and body guards and are not easily attacked. They have their money invested in secure places, are knowledgeable concerning the markets and are not easily duped. The poor, on the other hand, are not securely invested, do not have financial advisers and are eager for an opportunity to get rich quickly and easily. This makes them easy targets for con-artists and others who would rob them and even kill them for their small savings.

I do not need to discuss all of the ways that the wicked have of catching the poor in their traps. They are like lions secretly waiting, stalking and striking when the time is right.

Paul wrote about his encounter with Alexander the copper smith who had apparently professed to be a Christian but refused the apostles doctrine. "Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion." (2 Timothy 4:17)

Calvin wrote, "From Paul’s words,.. we may infer that he had committed no greater offense than an attack on sound doctrine; for if Alexander had wounded his person, or committed an assault on him, he would have endured it patiently; but when the truth of God is assailed, his holy breast burns with indignation, because, in all the members of Christ that saying must hold good, 'The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up.' (Psa 69:9.)"

Thus, history teaches us that the poor in spirit are also prey to the lions of this world. We are taught to, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (1 Peter 5:8)

But, the key to the heart of all evil persons is described in the eleventh verse of our psalm. "He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it." When there is no fear of being discovered and no fear of being punished, the lion is emboldened. Lions can be frightened like any other animal but, when they do not fear the lambs or the shepherds caring for them, they will attack. They will take as many from the flock as they want. The poor lambs have no defense.

However, the LORD is our shepherd and, while the wicked neither see nor fear Him, He is our defender and will punish those who attack His sheep. "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven... Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:3, 5) So, be wise as serpents, dear reader, and harmless as doves, but fear not because Christ shall never leave you.

Before the Throne:

Ask God to help you recognize the traps that are laid by wicked men, especially those that are laid for the meek and poor in spirit. Ask Him to show you how you can generously help the poor to understand His word and to improve their circumstances. Pray for those whom you know are under attack by the satanic lions. Pray for those in public office who want to return our nation to one nation under God. They are all under attack right now. Give praise to God for being your defender against the traps of the devil.

For Further Study:

(v.8 ) ** sitteth. 1Sam 22:18; 23:23; 2Kgs 21:16; Prov 1:11-12; Hab 3:14; Luke 8:1; 10:1; ** his eyes. Psa 17:11; Prov 6:12-13; Jer 22:17;

(v.9) ** He lieth. Psa 17:12; 59:3; Mic 7:2; Acts 23:21; ** secretly. Lam 3:10; Amos 3:4; Nah 2:11-12; Zech 11:3; ** to catch. Jer 5:26; Ezek 19:3-6; Hab 1:15; John 10:12; ** poor, when. Psa 12:5; 35:10; 37:14; 109:31; Job 5:15-16; Prov 14:31; 22:16; 28:15; Isa 3:15; 32:7; Ezek 22:29; Amos 2:6-7; 5:11-12; Hab 3:14;

(v.10) ** croucheth. 1Sa 2:36; ** humbleth. 1Sam 18:21-26; 23:21-22; 2Sam 15:5;

(v.11) ** said. Psa 10:6; Mark 2:6; Luke 7:39; ** God. Psa 64:5; 73:11; 94:7; Job 22:13-14; Eccl 8:11; Ezek 8:12; 9:9;