[1] Why do You stand far off, O LORD? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? [2] In arrogance the wicked persecutes the poor; let them be caught in the devices they have planned. [3] For the wicked boasts of his soul's desire; he blesses the greedy and despises the LORD. [4] The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek God; God is not in all his thoughts. [5] His ways are always prosperous; Your judgments are high and distant from him; as for all his enemies, they scoff at him. [6] He says in his heart, "I shall not be moved; for generations I shall not meet adversity." [7] His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue is mischief and iniquity. [8] He sits in the lurking places of the villages; in the secret places he murders the innocent; his eyes lurk against the unfortunate. [9] He lies in wait secretly as a lion in his den; he lies in wait to catch the poor; he catches the poor, drawing them into his net. [10] He crouches; he lies low, so that the unfortunate fall by his strength. [11] He says in his heart, "God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see it." [12] Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble. [13] Why do the wicked despise God? He says in his heart, "You will require an account." [14] You have seen it, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it with Your hand. The unfortunate one entrusts it to You; You are the helper of the orphan. [15] Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; seek out his wickedness until You find none. [16] The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations perished from His land. [17] The desire of the humble You have heard, O LORD; You make their heart attentive; You bend Your ear [18] to judge the orphan and the oppressed; man on earth no longer trembles.
