[1] Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? [2] In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. [3] For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the LORD. [4] In the pride of his face the wicked 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 foes, he puffs at them. [6] He says in his heart, "I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity." [7] His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. [8] He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; [9] he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net. [10] The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might. [11] He says in his heart, "God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it." [12] Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted. [13] Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, "You will not call to account"? [14] But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless. [15] Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none. [16] The LORD is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. [17] O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear [18] to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.
