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