[1] Why do You stand far away, Lord? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? [2] In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the needy; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised. [3] For the wicked boasts of his soul’s desire, And the greedy person curses and shows disrespect to the Lord. [4] The wicked, in his haughtiness, does not seek Him. There is no God in all his schemes. [5] His ways succeed at all times; Yet Your judgments are on high, out of his sight; As for all his enemies, he snorts at them. [6] He says to himself, “I will not be moved; Throughout the generations I will not be in adversity.” [7] His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression; Under his tongue is harm and injustice. [8] He sits in the lurking places of the villages; He kills the innocent in the secret places; His eyes surreptitiously watch for the unfortunate. [9] He lurks in secret like a lion in his lair; He lurks to catch the needy; He catches the needy when he pulls him into his net. [10] Then he crushes the needy one, who cowers; And unfortunate people fall by his mighty power. [11] He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He has hidden His face; He will never see it.” [12] Arise, Lord; God, lift up Your hand. Do not forget the humble. [13] Why has the wicked treated God disrespectfully? He has said to himself, “You will not require an account.” [14] You have seen it, for You have looked at harm and provocation 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] Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will make Your ear attentive [18] To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, So that mankind, which is of the earth, will no longer cause terror.
