[1] Why are you so distant, LORD? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? [2] The wicked person arrogantly pursues oppressed people. He will be caught in the schemes that he planned. [3] The wicked person boasts about his selfish desires. He blesses robbers, but he curses the LORD. [4] He turns up his nose and says, "God doesn't care." His every thought concludes, "There is no God." [5] He always seems to succeed. Your judgments are beyond his understanding. He spits at all his opponents. [6] He says to himself, "Nothing can shake me. I'll never face any trouble." [7] His mouth is full of cursing, deception, and oppression. Trouble and wrongdoing are on the tip of his tongue. [8] He waits in ambush in the villages. From his hiding places he kills innocent people. His eyes are on the lookout for victims. [9] He lies in his hiding place like a lion in his den. He hides there to catch oppressed people. He catches oppressed people when he draws them into his net. [10] His victims are crushed. They collapse, and they fall under the weight of his power. [11] He says to himself, "God has forgotten. He has hidden his face. He will never see it!" [12] Arise, O LORD! Lift your hand, O God. Do not forget oppressed people! [13] Why does the wicked person despise God? Why does he say to himself, "God doesn't care"? [14] You have seen it; yes, you have taken note of trouble and grief and placed them under your control. The victim entrusts himself to you. You alone have been the helper of orphans. [15] Break the arm of the wicked and evil person. Punish his wickedness until you find no more. [16] The LORD is king forever and ever. The nations have vanished from his land. [17] You have heard the desire of oppressed people, O LORD. You encourage them. You pay close attention to them [18] in order to provide justice for orphans and oppressed people so that no mere mortal will terrify them again.
