[1] Why are you far away, LORD? Why do you hide yourself when I am in trouble? [2] Proud and brutal people hunt down the poor. But let them get caught by their own evil plans! [3] The wicked brag about their deepest desires. Those greedy people hate and curse you, LORD. [4] The wicked are too proud to turn to you or even think about you. [5] They are always successful, though they can't understand your teachings, and they keep sneering at their enemies. [6] In their hearts they say, "Nothing can hurt us! We'll always be happy and free from trouble." [7] They curse and tell lies, and all they talk about is how to be cruel or how to do wrong. [8] They hide outside villages, waiting to strike and murder some innocent victim. [9] They are hungry lions hiding in the bushes, hoping to catch some helpless passerby. They trap the poor in nets and drag them away. [10] They crouch down and wait to grab a victim. [11] They say, "God can't see! He's got on a blindfold." [12] Do something, LORD God, and use your powerful arm to help those in need. [13] The wicked don't respect you. In their hearts they say, "God won't punish us!" [14] But you see the trouble and the distress, and you will do something. The poor can count on you, and so can orphans. [15] Now break the arms of all merciless people. Punish them for doing wrong and make them stop. [16] Our LORD, you will always rule, but nations will vanish from the earth. [17] You listen to the longings of those who suffer. You offer them hope, and you pay attention to their cries for help. [18] You defend orphans and everyone else in need, so that no one on earth can terrify others again.
