But You see, for You look upon evil and grief, so that You may repay with Your hand. The defenseless entrusts himself to You. You are the helper of the orphan.
This verse corrects the wicked person’s false conviction that God does not see and does not examine the evil that has been done. The Lord sees both the evil and the grief it causes. He does not look on from afar in an indifferent way, but watches attentively, so that in His time He may repay with righteousness. The defenseless person entrusts himself to God, because human supports may be insufficient or entirely absent. The words “You are the helper of the orphan” show that God, with special care, is near to those who have no protection, strength, or influence. In ancient society the orphan was among the most vulnerable people; therefore, the mention of the orphan represents all who are in a helpless condition. This verse comforts the sufferer by reminding him that his pain is visible to God. At the same time, it obligates the church to be caring toward the orphan, the widow, and the defenseless. Such care is not merely human kindness, but an expression of service pleasing to God and of true godliness (James 1:27).