| 1
| Why do you stand so far off, O LORD, *
and hide yourself in time of trouble?
|
| 2
| The wicked arrogantly persecute the poor,
*
but they are trapped in the schemes they have devised.
|
| 3
| The wicked boast of their heart's desire;
*
the covetous curse and revile the LORD.
|
| 4
| The wicked are so proud that they care not
for God; *
their only thought is, "God does not matter."
|
| 5
| Their ways are devious at all times;
your judgments are far above out of their sight; *
they defy all their enemies.
|
| 6
| They say in their heart, "I shall not
be shaken; *
no harm shall happen to me ever."
|
| 7
| Their mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and
oppression; *
under their tongue are mischief and wrong.
|
| 8
| They lurk in ambush in public squares
and in secret places they murder the innocent; *
they spy out the helpless.
|
| 9
| They lie in wait, like a lion in a covert;
they lie in wait to seize upon the lowly; *
they seize the lowly and drag them away in their net.
|
| 10
| The innocent are broken and humbled before
them; *
the helpless fall before their power.
|
| 11
| They say in their heart, "God has forgotten;
*
he hides his face; he will never notice."
|
| 12
| Rise up, O LORD;
lift up your hand, O God; *
do not forget the afflicted.
|
| 13
| Why should the wicked revile God? *
why should they say in their heart, "You do not care"?
|
| 14
| Surely, you behold trouble and misery; *
you see it and take it into your own hand.
|
| 15
| The helpless commit themselves to you, *
for you are the helper of orphans.
|
| 16
| Break the power of the wicked and evil; *
search out their wickedness until you find none.
|
| 17
| The LORD is King for ever and ever; *
the ungodly shall perish from his land.
|
| 18
| The LORD will hear the desire of the humble;
*
you will strengthen their heart and your ears shall hear;
|
| 19
| To give justice to the orphan and oppressed,
*
so that mere mortals may strike terror no more.
|
