Psalm 10 is a prayer for help. The prevalence of wickedness apparently troubled David greatly, especially the wicked's defiance of God. To David, as to other Bible writers, there are just two classes of people--the righteous and the wicked.
Psalms 11, 12, and 13 deal with the prevalence of wickedness. David indicates the wicked walk on every side. He is overwhelmed with his wicked enemies, almost to the point of death. But David trusts in God and sings for joy. Such Psalms as these seem to belong to the period when David was hiding from Saul.
Psalm 14 is quoted in Romans 3:10-12. In this Psalm infidels are called fools. The prevalence of wickedness shows what fools men are, for as sure as there is a God, there will be a day of judgment for the wicked.
Psalm 15 describes the character of the godly. They have fellowship with God in worship (verse 1), and their lives conform to His profession. Thomas Jefferson called this Psalm the picture of a true gentleman.
Psalms 16 and 17 (as well as 18--24) are prophetic views of Christ. These nine Psalms reflect the character of the godly, but find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ. In Psalm 16 David appears to be speaking of himself; yet mystic words of the coming Messiah find their way into David's mouth. Note especially two magnificent verses, "I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved" (verse 8); and "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore" (verse 11).
In Psalm 17 David is again overwhelmed by his enemies. David looks to God and puts his trust in Him. He is surrounded by lovers of this world, but David sets his heart on the world beyond (verses 14 and 15).
