[1] O LORD, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble? [2] The wicked arrogantly hunt down the poor. Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others. [3] For they brag about their evil desires; they praise the greedy and curse the LORD. [4] The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead. [5] Yet they succeed in everything they do. They do not see your punishment awaiting them. They sneer at all their enemies. [6] They think, "Nothing bad will ever happen to us! We will be free of trouble forever!" [7] Their mouths are full of cursing, lies, and threats. Trouble and evil are on the tips of their tongues. [8] They lurk in ambush in the villages, waiting to murder innocent people. They are always searching for helpless victims. [9] Like lions crouched in hiding, they wait to pounce on the helpless. Like hunters they capture the helpless and drag them away in nets. [10] Their helpless victims are crushed; they fall beneath the strength of the wicked. [11] The wicked think, "God isn't watching us! He has closed his eyes and won't even see what we do!" [12] Arise, O LORD! Punish the wicked, O God! Do not ignore the helpless! [13] Why do the wicked get away with despising God? They think, "God will never call us to account." [14] But you see the trouble and grief they cause. You take note of it and punish them. The helpless put their trust in you. You defend the orphans. [15] Break the arms of these wicked, evil people! Go after them until the last one is destroyed. [16] The LORD is king forever and ever! The godless nations will vanish from the land. [17] LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. [18] You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them.
