¹Why do you stand far off , LORD ?

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble ?

²In arrogance , the wicked hunt down the weak.

They are caught in the schemes that they devise .

³For the wicked boasts of his heart ’s cravings.

He blesses the greedy and condemns the LORD .

⁴The wicked , in the pride of his face,

has no room in his thoughts for God.

⁵His ways are prosperous at all times .

He is arrogant, and your laws are far from his sight .

As for all his adversaries , he sneers at them .

⁶He says in his heart , “I shall not be shaken .

For generations I shall have no trouble .”

⁷His mouth is full of cursing, deceit , and oppression .

Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity .

⁸He lies in wait near the villages .

From ambushes, he murders the innocent .

His eyes are secretly set against the helpless.

⁹He lurks in secret as a lion in his ambush.

He lies in wait to catch the helpless.

He catches the helpless when he draws him in his net .

¹⁰The helpless are crushed .

They collapse .

They fall under his strength.

¹¹He says in his heart , “God has forgotten .

He hides his face .

He will never see it .”

¹²Arise , LORD !

God , lift up your hand !

Don’t forget the helpless.

¹³Why does the wicked person condemn God ,

and say in his heart , “God won’t call me into account ”?

¹⁴But you do see trouble and grief .

You consider it to take it into your hand .

You help the victim and the fatherless .

¹⁵Break the arm of the wicked .

As for the evil man , seek out his wickedness until you find none .

¹⁶The LORD is King forever and ever !

The nations will perish out of his land.

¹⁷LORD , you have heard the desire of the humble .

You will prepare their heart .

You will cause your ear to hear ,

¹⁸to judge the fatherless and the oppressed ,

that man who is of the earth may terrify no more .