John Calvin Commentary Psalms 10:2

"In the pride of the wicked the poor is hotly pursued; Let them be taken in the devices that they have conceived." — Psalms 10:2 (ASV)

The ungodly in his pride—Before uttering his prayer against the ungodly, the Psalmist briefly describes their wickedness in cruelly oppressing the afflicted, for no other reason than because they disdain and despise them, through the pride with which they are puffed up. And their cruelty is greatly enhanced by the fact that, forgetful of all humanity, they contemptuously triumph over the poor and afflicted, mocking them and inflicting injuries on them.

Cruelty is, indeed, always proud, indeed, rather, pride is the mother of all wrongs; for if a man did not exalt himself above his neighbors through pride, and despise them through arrogant self-importance, even common humanity would teach us how humbly and justly we should behave towards one another.

But David here intended to state that the sole reason the ungodly, whom he accuses, inflict their cruelty upon the wretched and the needy (who have given them no provocation) is the pride and arrogance of their own spirits. Therefore, let everyone who desires to live justly and blamelessly with others be careful not to indulge in or take pleasure in treating others disdainfully; and they should endeavor, above all things, to have their minds freed from the disease of pride.

The word דלק, dalak, signifies to suffer persecution, as well as to persecute; and therefore, some prefer to translate the words, The poor is persecuted in the pride of the ungodly. These words may also appropriately be translated as, The poor burns in the pride of the ungodly, because this is the more common meaning of the word. The pride of the wicked, like fire, devours the poor and afflicted.