[1] Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? [2] In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised. [3] For the wicked boasts of his heart's desire, And the greedy man curses and spurns the LORD. [4] The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him. All his thoughts are, "There is no God." [5] His ways prosper at all times; Your judgments are on high, out of his sight; As for all his adversaries, he snorts at them. [6] He says to himself, "I will not be moved; Throughout all generations I will not be in adversity." [7] His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness. [8] He sits in the lurking places of the villages; In the hiding places he kills the innocent; His eyes stealthily watch for the unfortunate. [9] He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his lair; He lurks to catch the afflicted; He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net. [10] He crouches, he bows down, And the unfortunate fall by his mighty ones. [11] He says to himself, "God has forgotten; He has hidden His face; He will never see it." [12] Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up Your hand. Do not forget the afflicted. [13] Why has the wicked spurned God? He has said to himself, "You will not require it." [14] You have seen it, for You have beheld mischief and vexation to take it into Your hand. The unfortunate commits himself to You; You have been the helper of the orphan. [15] Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer, Seek out his wickedness until You find none. [16] The LORD is King forever and ever; Nations have perished from His land. [17] O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear [18] To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, So that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.
