10
1 Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide in times of trouble?
2 In pride the wicked pursue the needy;
let them be caught in the schemes they devise.
3 For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart;
he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him;
in all his schemes there is no God.
5 He is secure in his ways at all times;
your lofty judgments are far from him;
he sneers at all his foes.
6 He says to himself, “I will not be moved;
from age to age I am free of distress.”
7 His mouth is full of cursing, deceit,*10:7 LXX bitterness and violence;
trouble and malice are under his tongue.
8 He lies in wait near the villages;
in ambush he slays the innocent;
his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless.
9 He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket;
he lurks to seize the oppressed;
he catches the lowly in his net.
10 He crouches and lies low;†10:10 Qere; Ketiv They are crushed and beaten down
the helpless fall prey to his strength.
11 He says to himself, “God has forgotten;
he hides his face and never sees.”
12 Arise, O LORD! Lift up your hand, O God!
Do not forget the helpless.‡10:12 Qere; Ketiv the afflicted
13 Why has the wicked man renounced God?
He says to himself, “You will never call me to account.”
14 But you have regarded trouble and grief;
you see to repay it by your hand.
The victim entrusts himself to you;
you are the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;
call him to account for his wickedness
until none is left to be found.
16 The LORD is King forever and ever;
the nations perish from his land.
17 You have heard, O LORD, the desire of the humble;
you will strengthen their hearts.
You will incline your ear,
18 to vindicate the fatherless and oppressed,
that the men of the earth
may strike terror no more.