1
Why, O LORD,do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2
In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak,
who are cadudgt in the schemes he devises.
3
He boasts of the cravings of his heart;
he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
4
In his pride the wicked does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
5
His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty
and your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies.
6
He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me;
I'll always be happy and never have trouble."
7
His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats;
trouble and evil are under his tongue.
8
He lies in wait near the villages;
from ambush he murders the innocent,
watching in secret for his victims.
9
He lies in wait like a lion in cover;
he lies in wait to catch the helpless;
he catches the helpless and drage them off in his net.
10
His victims are crushed, they collapse;
they fall under his strength.
11
He says to himself, "God has forgotten;
he covers his face and never sees."
12
Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.
13
Why des the wicked man revile God?
Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account"?
14
But you, O God, do see trouble and grief;
you consider it to take it in hand.
The victim commits himself to you;
you are the helper of the fatherless.
15
Break the arm of the wicked and evil man;
call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.
16
The LORD is King forever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.
17
You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
18
defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order than man,
who is of the earth, may terrify no more.
